Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/supporting-the-development-of-infants-and-toddlers-with-special-health-needs/5014762/
At some time in their careers, almost all child care workers will care for a child whose development is affected by a special health problem. Recent medical advances, current trends in managed care, increased demand for child care, and legislatively mandated inclusion, have increased the number of children with chronic illness and special health needs in child care facilities. Although varying definitions yield different results, most estimates indicate that between 18% and 30% of children under 18 in the United States are affected by chronic developmental, behavioral, and physical conditions (USHHS, 1996). Here's what we do know:- The emotional, physical, and intellectual experiences of a child's first three years are vital, laying the foundation for that child's development in the future.
- Approximately 40% of children four years and younger have at least one hospital visit each year (National Health Care Survey, 1999). Every young child should have regularly scheduled well-child (check-up) visits to a doctor where the presence of acute and chronic health problems should be detected and managed as early in the child's life as possible.
- Research repeatedly indicates that older infants and toddlers (six months to three years) are the most vulnerable to the effects of hospitalization or a ...