Special Needs

Nine million or 13% of U.S. children under 18 years have a special health care need. Children with developmental disabilities, both physical and psychological, have higher rates of injury. In addition, children with cognitive, emotional or social limitations have significantly higher rates of injury, which may be due in part to a lack of appropriate prevention education.

Read below for more safety information for special needs children. Topics include:

• ADHD
• Child Passenger Safety
• Falls
• Fire
• Toys

ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Kids with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) get hurt more often than the average child. Boys are more likely than girls to have discipline/behavior problems and to be diagnosed with ADHD. Highly active, impulsive boys also appear to be at special risk for injury occurrence.

Children with ADHD were also more likely to have been admitted to a hospital for inpatient, outpatient and emergency care. Medical bills for these children during the study period came to a total of $4,306 compared to $1,944 for children without ADHD.

Beware of common dangers: Parents don’t realize that young children can drown in less than inch of water, that drinking mouthwash can cause a young child to fall into an alcohol coma, or that children can fall out of a window that is only opened 5 inches.

Use visuals reminders: The "Mr. Yuk" stickers from poison prevention centers prevent many tragedies for preschoolers and their parents. This same strategy can work for older children with ADHD, who tend to be developmentally immature and have poor memories. Use stickers with phrases such as "Don't Touch!" and "Off Limits!" Put them on the power tools, the attic door, the stove, the knife drawer, or any other potential source of injury.

Make rules specific and clear: Give specific instructions instead: "Before crossing the street, look left, look right, then look left again. When there are no cars, cross the street and keep looking until you reach the other side." Establish exactly what's off limits: the quarry, the roof, the windowsill, the oak tree. Make a chart of specific safety rules and post it in your child's room and in the kitchen as a daily reminder.

Role play and rehearse: Develop and role-play risky scenarios with your kids Go over situations such as: "What do you do when the ball rolls into the street? What do you do when someone starts a fight with you on the playground?" Play out several options and review their possible consequences: "If you do that, what do you think might happen? What if you did this instead?"

Arrange for supervision: Supervising ADHD kids is critical. Don't pair them with other ADHD kids and send them off to the park; send them with responsible older kids who can serve as role models and mentors. If you or another adult can't be around after school, enroll your kids in supervised activities such as music lessons and team sports.

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

• The child restraint system should meet FMVSS 213. Standard child restraint devices may be used for many children with special health care needs, and, whenever possible, a standard child restraint is the preferable choice. Use of a "special" child restraint system for a child with health care needs often may be postponed until a child exceeds the physical limitations of a car safety seat.
• Premature and small infants should not be placed in car safety seats with a harness-tray/shield combination or an armrest that could directly contact the infant's neck or face during an impact.
• Car safety seats with five-point harnesses anchored at both shoulders, both hips, and between the legs, can be adjusted to provide good upper torso support for many children with special needs.
• When possible, an adult should ride in the back seat next to your children to watch him/her closely.
• Any child with a medical problem should have a special care plan that includes what to do during transport if a medical emergency occurs.

Go to Car safety tips

FALLS

Children who have disabilities who are minimally mobile but who are perceived as immobile by a caregiver might be at increased risk for falling from a bed or other elevated surface. The child might be left unattended and might roll or creep to the edge.

Falls are the most commonly reported injury among wheelchair users. “Tips and falls” account for 42% of incidents, making falls the leading cause of rider injury.

Go to :

• baby safety tips
• playground safety tips
• toddler safety tips

FIRE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS

There are 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans who are unable to rely on the life-saving warning sound of a working smoke alarm to alert them of fire. It is crucial that this audience is aware of the availability of flashing or vibrating smoke alarms, and the importance of proper escape planning.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages the hearing impaired population and their caregivers to practice the following precautionary steps:

• For children in wheelchairs, an accessible exit is critical. The fire department should be notified of the presence of a child who has a disability in the home.
• Contact your local fire department for information about obtaining a flashing or vibrating smoke alarm.
• Install a flashing or vibrating smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test all smoke alarms months and change batteries at least once a year.
• Make sure a TTY/TDD or phone (if used) is next to your bed, within arm’s reach. Keep emergency telephone numbers and hearing aids (if necessary) handy as well.
• Be sure to inform family members, the building manager, or a neighbor of you fire safety plan and practice it with them. Contact your local fire department on a non-emergency telephone (use appropriate TTY devices if necessary) and explain your special needs.
• Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.

Go to fire safety tips

TOYS

Toys for children with special needs should not focus on a child’s disability at the expense of the child. With some modifications, children with special needs often can play with the same toys as other children around the same age, depending on developmental ability. Toys for children with special needs should be safe, durable, versatile, challenging, and engaging.

For children with physical limitations look for the following features:

• Solid construction that supports the body
• Large buttons, levers, or handles that are easy
• Rubber, non-slide bottoms and other important safety features
• Easy operation and maneuverability

Toys for children with hearing impairments should have: Amplified and/or adjustable volume

• Varying sounds and vibrations
• Lights and bold, contrasting colors to visually stimulate and maintain attention
• Interesting textures that invite exploration
• Scented parts

Important features in toys for children with visual impairments include:

• Large or raised parts
• Realistic and familiar sounds and objects
• Easy-to-activate components
• Differenct shapes and textures
• Bright or bold colors
• Distinct scents

Go to toy safety tips

Links of Interest:

• ADDitude Magazine
• American Toy Institute
• Exceptional Parent Magazine
• National Lekotek Center
• Specialchild.com

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