Children with special health care needs may present with unique needs for safety and injury prevention. Parental supervision must be focused on the developmental level and physical capabilities of the child. Parents of children with special health care needs may have to seek alternative safety equipment, such as special car safety seats, to ensure a safe environment. Inquiring about the need for this equipment and providing information or resources may improve the quality of life for families, as in the case, for example, of a family that may not be able to travel together without such equipment.[14] Increasing parents’ awareness of the potential added complexity of creating a safe environment for their child with special health care needs and guiding parents toward local and national resources are ways that the health care professional can help parents provide a safe environment.

Many children with special health care needs encounter new safety challenges as they enter school and begin to deal with the community at large. They often are vulnerable and at risk of being bullied or victimized. They also may have an increased risk of maltreatment, including child neglect and physical or sexual abuse. Because they may rely heavily on caregivers for their physical needs and hygiene, their mental or physical limitation may impair their ability to defend themselves. Health care professionals can highlight differences between caregiving and sexual abuse, discuss the potential of bullying, and encourage parents to establish monitoring systems at home, in the community, and at school to protect their child. Planning for children with special health care needs requires understanding and anticipating the child’s limitations and needs, with designated roles for family members and referral to additional community resources to ensure safety.

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Section: Promoting Safety and Injury Prevention