Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CSHCN) are defined by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau as: There are a wide variety of physical, mental, and psychological health conditions considered to be special healthcare needs in the United States.
A medical home is one of the standards of administering healthcare recommended by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
[5] In school, these children have an increased risk of missing class, being disengaged in the classroom, and repeating a grade.
[3] Developmental screening is used by doctors to check and evaluate for proper child development over time on a physical and cognitive level.
[2] The Health Resources and Services Administration found that these disorders are associated with an even greater decrease in quality of family-life, education and healthcare.
[3] A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found evidence that The United States governments employs several different programs in order to provide insurance and care for CSHCN.
[8] It is a public insurance program that provides mandatory services for patients such as: Medicaid requires no co-payment or deductibles.
[9] It covers children up to nineteen years of age and many states also choose to help insure pregnant women.
It also allocates money to projects of both national and state importance that help maternal and child health as well as children with special healthcare needs.
[12] This program works with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and employs their definition of CSHCN as stated earlier.
The Title V money is used to help with the Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT) that is employed by Medicaid to test children.
[5] In a study by Judith Palfrey et al. it was found to indicate improved health and increase patient satisfaction.
[5] This model requires several elements: The pediatrician assumes the ultimate responsibility for all care that is provided for the child even though other medical professionals are involved.
[2] Therapies for children with special healthcare needs can be accessed via public schools or private therapists.
This act states that all children with disabilities should have access to education that suits their SHCN, including needed therapies.
Occupational therapists work with CSHCN by supporting them and their families to learn how to participate in everyday routines and daily activities.
They encourage children with physical, cognitive, communication and behavior challenges to develop ways to live, play, learn and make friends despite their special needs.
Another skill these professionals teach to children with SHCN is how to use adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, eating aids and braces in daily life.
[2] The Maternal and Child Health Bureau requires services to be available that are necessary for CSHCN to transition to all aspects of adult life.
[19] Youth lose health coverage they received in the past from programs like CHIP as well as Supplemental Security Income once they reach the ages of 18–21.