The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that all children, particularly children with special health care needs, should have a medical home where health care services are accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally competent.
Our Medical Home Coordinator, Hannah Vereker, takes an active role in helping us to coordinate the care of our patients with special health care needs and ensures that all of our patients receive care in the manner described above. Please let Hannah know if she can be of help to your family in coordinating medical care or other medically related needs.
How do I know if my child has a “special health care need?”
Children and youth with special health care needs are recognized to be those from birth to 21 years old who:
- have a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition expected to last 12 months or more, and
- need health and related services more than most children,
- may receive these services from various public and private agencies and providers in the areas of health, education, and social services,
- and, as a result of complex conditions and many different providers, may need help in coordinating this care.
This includes children and youth with chronic medical conditions or genetic disorders such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia, childhood cancers and heart conditions; developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, hearing and vision impairments and autism spectrum disorders; as well as emotional or behavioral health needs including ADHD and mental health conditions; and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or muscular dystrophy.