1. Section 5. Children with Special Health Care Needs

2. Psychological Concerns q With parent’s permission, allow child to participate in group activities unrestricted. q Offer support without being overly protective. q Don’t be afraid. BE AWARE! q Use the child & parent to learn about the condition. T1-5

3. CSHCN Emergency Care Plans 4 Allergies 4 Medications, side-effects 4 Baseline findings 4 Summary of the child’s medical condition 4 Child’s “normal” emergency symptoms 4 Emergency procedures for the child’s unique needs 4 Parent/guardian & emergency contact information 4 Insurance information 4 Physician phone numbers 4 Special equipment or supplies T2-5

4. Assessing Condition of CSHCN Need to know child’s “NORMAL” behavior and physical condition in order to recognize emergencies. Signs & Symptoms can be individual. Remember to involve the parent. T3-5

5. Allergic Agents A severe allergic reaction may occur in response to: 4 Medication (e.g. penicillin) 4 Foods (e.g. shellfish, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, milk) 4 Insect Stings (e.g. wasp, bee, ant) 4 Environmental Allergens (e.g. Latex) T4-5

6. Signs of Severe Allergic Reaction Pale skin Hives all over body Weakness Coughing and wheezing Difficulty breathing Loss of consciousness Blueness or swelling around the mouth and eyes T5-5

7. Prevention Tips for Asthma Attacks Be aware of child’s triggers and help child to avoid them. Maintain a smoke-free environment. Keep an emergency plan on file and educate staff about the child’s condition & first-aid steps. Keep parent/physician approved medication available. T6-5

8. Asthma Signs and Symptoms Wheezing Rapid breathing or shortness of breath Flaring of nostrils Increased use of stomach or chest muscles during breathing Tightness in chest Excessive coughing T7-5

9. Diabetic Emergencies can be Triggered by: Too little food A delayed meal Strenuous exercise without extra food Too much sugar T8-5

10. Signs/Symptoms of Diabetic Emergencies Sudden changes in hunger Irritability and feeling upset Inability to concentrate Sweating Feeling “shaky” or trembling Dizziness/No coordination Paleness Cramping Confusion Seizures and Unconsciousness (late stage symptoms) T9-5

11. Causes of Seizures Illness & Injury such as: High fever - typically ages 6 months - 5 years with a fever of 103 F or higher. Head Injury Poisoning Diabetes Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration Epilepsy - a chronic condition characterized by recurring seizures T10-5

12. Signs/Symptoms of Seizures Seizures may be any of the following: Staring with loss of eye contact Staring with twitching of arms and legs. General jerking movements of the arms and legs Unusual behavior such as physical movements, hostility, strange noises It is not unusual for a child to be sleepy after a seizure T11-5