Credits Hours: 1.25

Course Description:
As a result of advances in medical care and technology over the years, many children with life-threatening illnesses and injuries - as well as those born with serious problems - survive. Years ago, children with special health care needs often were cared for in institutions or spent the majority of their lives in a hospital.

Today, most of these same children are cared for at home and attend schools in their communities. As these children experience routine childhood illnesses and injuries, EMS professionals will become involved with them, their families, and their caregivers. This course defines the term "children with special health care needs," and discusses assessment parameters and management techniques related to children with various disabilities.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Define the term ?children with special health care needs.?
• Identify at least two assessment parameters related to children with the following disabilities (the content related to assessment is not assessment techniques, but rather parameters of assessment):
  
  
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Cleft lip and/or cleft palate
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Spina bifida
  • Mental retardation
  • Down syndrome
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Autism
• Recognize from a list at least two management techniques related to children with the following disabilities:
  
  
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Cleft lip and/or cleft palate
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Spina bifida
  • Mental retardation
  • Down syndrome
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Autism
• Identify the purpose and use of the Emergency Information Form (EIF).