COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth
with Special Health Care Needs
By: Dennis Z. Kuo, MD, MHS, FAAP
& Cara Coleman, JD, MPH
As COVID-19 continues to spread, children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), may be at increased risk for complications. This includes children with chronic conditions, disabilities, and those with medically complex conditions. In addition, school and business closings may affect the availability of therapies and supports for these children. The impact is unknown but may be significant and long lasting.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The AAP COVID-19 page has the latest advice and tips on what you can do to keep your family healthy.
Here are things that parents can do to keep themselves, their families, and their children with special health care needs safe during the COVID-19 outbreak:
Prepare your home
Hand washing is one of the most important ways to keep your child and your family protected from COVID-19. Put signs on your front door or on the door to your child's room to remind family members and caregivers to wash their hands often, for at least 20 seconds. Keep plenty of hand soap, tissues, wipes, and hand sanitizer on hand for everyone in your home to use. Make kits or hand washing stations, if needed.
Clinic and therapy appointments
Talk to your pediatrician, specialists, therapists, or anyone else who cares for your child about any upcoming appointments. They can let you know if the appointments need to be delayed. If the decision is made to delay the appointment, be sure you know how to get ahold of your doctor if you have any concerns about your child's health or behavior.
If the appointment is still necessary, there may be changes in how your child will receives services such as getting lab draws in a different location or going to a separate waiting area to be seen. Your doctor may suggest other ways to meet, such as by phone, Skype, FaceTime, or another telehealth option.
For home health care and in-home therapy needs, reach out to the agencies that provide the care to make sure services can continue. You can also look into options such as video calls that allow your child to stay in touch with their physical therapist, for example, to talk about how to keep up their physical therapy activities at home.
