Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)

Children and youth with special healthcare needs represent a growing population. 

These children require additional considerations in disaster planning due to physical, developmental, or behavioral differences.

For example, a child with vision or hearing impairment may need alternative methods to convey important information.

Possible solutions include:

• • Assigning person to help them
  • Create a medical bracelet or laminated card with important medical information

Medications

CYSHCN may have various medications so it is important to include a supply of extra medication.

Technology and Equipment

If children are technology-dependent (ventilator, feeding pump, etc), it is important to have a power source or extra batteries for the equipment.

Some children may require supplemental oxygen so having an extra oxygen supply would be beneficial in case of disaster.

Transportation

CYSHCN may also need special equipment for transportation.

This can include vehicles, wheelchairs, walkers.  During evacuation, they may need to acces to slides or ramps.

Emergency Information Forms

As healthcare information is often not shared between health systems, it is important that critical medical information be communicated effectively. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Emergency Physicians has created a template Emergency Information Form for CYSCHN.

These forms should include:

• Patient’s name and birthdate
• Emergency contacts
• Primary and subspecialty care providers
• Diagnoses/problem list
• Medications
• Devices/Equipment
• Allergies
• Advanced Directives