Who are children with special health care needs?

Children and youth with special health care needs are those who “have, or are at risk for, a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.”   (US DHHS, Maternal and Child Health Bureau)

An estimated 50,365 children in New Hampshire have special health care needs. Some need diagnosis and routine treatment; others need life-sustaining technology, treatment, and medicines their entire lives.