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Last Updated on July 26, 2025 by John Hookway
When you ask, “What Are the Needs of Special Child?”, you look at many important things. Children with special needs may need help in physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional, sensory, educational, social, and family support areas.
Needs can change by disability and where the child lives. For example, about 10–13% of children in the world have moderate-to-severe disabilities.
Finding out early and giving full support helps children do their best. You are important in speaking up for services and resources they need.
Key Takeaways
- Special children have needs in many areas. These include physical, developmental, behavioral, sensory, educational, social, and family needs. They need support that fits them personally.
- Finding out early and helping soon lets children get better at skills. It also helps make problems smaller as time goes on.
- Physical needs can mean using mobility aids and getting health care. They also need programs that help them move safely. This can stop problems like obesity.
- Developmental support means having learning plans made just for them. It also means therapy services and assistive technology. These help children learn and talk better.
- Having the same routines and giving emotional support helps lower anxiety. It can also help children behave better, especially those with autism.
- Making spaces that are good for their senses helps children feel calm. Using adaptive equipment also helps them get ready to learn.
- Individualized Education Programs and different ways of teaching help at school. These make sure children get the help they need.
- Family support, advocacy, and knowing legal rights help caregivers. These things let them find resources and keep their children safe.
What Are the Needs of Special Child?
When you look at What Are the Needs of Special Child?, you see that each child is different. Every child needs different things to help them.
These needs fit into a few main groups. The most common are physical, developmental, behavioral, and emotional needs. The help a child needs depends on their diagnosis, skills, and where they live.
For example, children with Down syndrome, autism, ADHD, or physical disabilities need different support. Studies show it is better to focus on what a child can do, not just their diagnosis.
Physical Needs
Mobility Support
Many children with special needs need help moving around. Some use wheelchairs, walkers, or braces. Others need ramps, bathrooms they can use, or special playgrounds.
Physical disabilities like cerebral palsy or orthopedic problems can make moving hard. You can help by making places safe and easy to use. Family and community help are important for getting mobility aids and rides.
Health Care
Children with special needs often need to see doctors a lot. They may need therapy, medicine, or sometimes surgery.
Some need help with long-term health problems like epilepsy, diabetes, or heart issues. Obesity is more common in these children because they may not move much or eat healthy foods.
The table below shows some common physical needs and problems:
| Physical Needs / Barriers | Evidence Summary |
|---|---|
| Obesity prevalence | Obesity is especially prevalent among children with special needs, linked to lack of physical activity and unhealthful eating. |
| Physical activity levels | 47% of children and 56% of parents were physically active less than 3 hours per week. |
| Key barriers to physical activity | Child’s lack of interest (43%), lack of developmentally appropriate programs (33%), behavioral problems (32%), parental time constraints (29%). |
| Significant predictor | Child’s lack of interest was the only barrier independently associated with physical activity. |
| Parental influence | Children whose parents were physically active ≥3 hours/week were 4.2 times more likely to be physically active. |
| Medical and psychosocial consequences | Obesity leads to sleep apnea, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, social isolation, pain, depression. |
| Recommendations | Need for developmentally appropriate physical activity programs and family-based interventions. |
Developmental Needs
Learning Skills
Children with special needs may have trouble learning. They might find reading, writing, math, or understanding words hard.
The most common group is specific learning disability. This affects about one-third of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Other groups are speech or language impairment, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. The table below lists the main groups and what they mean:
| Disability Category | Description | Prevalence/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Learning Disability (SLD) | Challenges in reading, writing, math, reasoning, listening, speaking. Examples: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia. | Most common; about 35% of students with IEPs. |
| Speech or Language Impairment | Speech impediments, language disorders affecting understanding or expression. | Second most common among children with IEPs. |
| Other Health Impairment (OHI) | Conditions limiting strength, energy, or alertness (e.g., ADHD, epilepsy). | Third most common category. |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | Affects social, communication skills, and behavior. | Common developmental disability. |
| Intellectual Disability | Below-average intellectual ability, includes Down syndrome. | Recognized category with specific educational needs. |
| Emotional Disturbance | Mental health issues such as anxiety, bipolar disorder. | Includes emotional or conduct disorders. |
| Developmental Delay | Delays in milestones like walking and talking; age-limited to under 9 years. | Used primarily for younger children; varies by state. |
| Multiple Disabilities | Combination of disabilities requiring specialized approaches. | Used when multiple disabilities significantly impact education. |
| Hearing Impairment including Deafness | Range of hearing issues affecting linguistic processing. | Covers permanent or fluctuating hearing loss. |
| Orthopedic Impairment | Issues with bones, joints, muscles (e.g., cerebral palsy). | Physical impairments affecting education. |
| Visual Impairment including Blindness | Vision problems not correctable by eyewear, including blindness. | Includes partial sight and blindness. |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Brain injuries acquired after birth. | Affects cognitive and physical functioning. |
| Deaf-Blindness | Severe combined hearing and vision loss. | Unique category due to combined sensory impairments. |
You can help learning by working with teachers and therapists. Using assistive technology can also help. Every child learns in their own way, so special plans are needed.
Therapy Services
Therapy helps children build skills and face challenges. This can be speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or behavioral therapy.
Studies show that therapy, especially with parent training, helps children do better. Programs with many parts work better than just one thing.
Some children do better with one-on-one therapy than in groups. Regular therapy helps children learn to talk, move, and get along with others.
Starting therapy early and doing it often helps your child improve. Work with therapists and ask how to practice at home.
Behavioral and Emotional Needs
Emotional Support
Children with special needs often feel more anxiety, sadness, or mood changes. Neurodevelopmental disabilities like autism and cerebral palsy make mental health problems more likely.
About 30% to 50% of these children have mental health issues, while only 8% to 18% of other children do. You can help by listening, giving support, and helping your child share feelings. Having family, friends, and professionals around is also important.
Common behavioral and emotional challenges:
- Anxiety and depression
- Mood swings and impulsivity
- Aggression or self-injury
- Social withdrawal
Caregivers, especially mothers, can also feel stress or sadness. Support groups and counseling can help families feel better.
Consistent Routines
Having routines helps children feel safe and less worried. Schedules at home and school help children control their feelings and behavior. For children with autism, routines are extra important.
When home and school routines match, children learn new skills more easily. The table below shows why routines help:
| Focus Area | Benefits and Impact | Examples of Routines |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional Regulation | Predictable routines reduce anxiety and help children manage their feelings | Consistent wake-up and bedtime |
| Behavioral Stability | Structured routines lead to fewer emotional outbursts and tantrums | Calm bedtime rituals, family talks |
| Mental Health | Routines promote healthy habits like regular sleep, meals, and physical activity | Scheduled meal times, playtime |
| Family Engagement | Shared routines strengthen family bonds and provide emotional support | Shared mealtimes, weekly family time |
You can help by making simple routines and using pictures or reminders. Doing things the same way builds trust and helps children handle changes.
By learning about What Are the Needs of Special Child?, you can help children grow and feel good. Each child is special, and your help matters a lot.
Sensory Needs
Children with special needs see the world in their own way. Your child might react a lot to sounds, lights, or how things feel.
Some children want more sensory input, but others try to avoid it. If you understand sensory needs, you can help your child feel safe.
Sensory-Friendly Spaces
A sensory-friendly space helps your child feel calm and safe. Many children show patterns like sensory seeking, avoiding, sensitivity, or low registration.
Some children do not notice loud noises or bright lights. Others might cover their ears or eyes. Research shows children with severe disabilities often have low registration. This means they may seem quiet or not respond because they need more sensory input to notice things.
Physical and environmental barriers can make these patterns stronger. For example, sitting in locked wheelchairs or not moving much can make it worse.
Some children rock or flap their hands to get the sensory input they need. You can help by making spaces with different sensory choices.
Sensory-friendly spaces can have:
- Soft lights or lamps you can dim
- Quiet spots with little noise
- Soft rugs or bean bag chairs
- Fidget toys or things with texture
- Calm colors on walls and furniture
Watch what makes your child calm or upset. Change the space to fit their needs. Even small things, like a weighted blanket or soft music, can help a lot.
Studies show that planned sensory input, like moving activities, can help touch and pressure senses and learning. When you make a sensory-friendly space, your child can feel more interested and ready to learn.
Adaptive Equipment
Adaptive equipment helps your child’s sensory needs at home, school, or out in the community. Many tools help children handle too much sensory input or get the input they want.
Research shows that sensory-adapted places, like dentist offices with soft lights and touch toys, help children with autism feel less worried and more willing to join in. Hospitals with sensory-friendly tools, like weighted blankets and picture cards, need less calming medicine for children before surgery.
You can use adaptive equipment in many places.
Some common examples are:
- Weighted blankets or vests for deep pressure
- Headphones that block loud sounds
- Chewable jewelry or toys with texture for touch or chewing
- Picture cards or visual schedules for routines
- Special seats, like wobble stools or therapy balls
| Adaptive Equipment | Purpose | Where to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted blanket/vest | Gives calming deep pressure | Home, school, hospital |
| Noise-canceling headphones | Blocks loud sounds | School, public places |
| Fidget toys | Gives touch input, helps focus | Classroom, therapy |
| Visual schedules | Helps understand routines | Home, classroom |
| Alternative seating | Helps focus and movement | Classroom, therapy |
Sensory changes work in many places, like schools, hospitals, airports, and sports stadiums. Working with occupational therapists, teachers, and caregivers helps you pick the best equipment for your child. Using adaptive tools helps your child join in more and feel less stress.
Every child is different. What helps one child may not help another. Keep trying new tools and ask experts for help.
When you ask, “What Are the Needs of Special Child?”, remember sensory needs matter as much as physical or learning needs. Meeting these needs helps your child feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.
Educational Needs
Individualized Learning
Children with special needs learn in their own way. Your child may need lessons that match what they are good at and what is hard for them. Schools make special plans to help each child do their best.
IEPs
An Individualized Education Program, or IEP, is a written plan for students who get special education. This plan says what your child should learn and how teachers will help.
Most students with special needs have an IEP. The plan looks at both schoolwork and behavior. The table below shows how many students have these needs and goals:
| Aspect | Evidence | Outcome/Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Academic concerns in IEPs | 90.9% | Most IEPs address academic needs |
| Behavioral/nonacademic concerns | 84.8% | Behavioral needs are widely recognized |
| At least one academic goal | 77.2% | Majority have targeted academic improvement goals |
| At least one behavioral goal | 46.9% | Less than half have behavioral goals |
| Academic performance (IEP vs others) | IEP students perform worse in reading, math, and cognitive abilities | IEPs serve students with greater academic challenges |
| Behavioral symptoms | IEP students have fewer parent-reported inattention symptoms but more learning disabilities | Academic issues drive IEP eligibility |
| Services provided | IEP students get more small group instruction, test aids, breaks, behavior modification | Reflects higher service intensity |
| Research base of services | 25.8% include behavior modification, 80.3% include extended time | Services may not always match best practices |
| Prevalence among ADHD students | 28%–57% receive extra education services | Many children with ADHD have individualized plans |
| Nonacademic/behavioral difficulties in IEPs | 85% describe such difficulties | Awareness is high, but goals less frequent |
| Compliance with regulations | Inconsistent | Gaps in effective planning |
IEPs help with both learning and behavior. Teachers and families work together to set goals and check progress. IEPs give your child the support they need at school.
Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated instruction means teachers change lessons for each student. Your child might get more time, smaller groups, or different work.
Teachers may use pictures, hands-on work, or computers. This helps your child learn at their own speed. When lessons fit your child, they may feel happier and more interested in school.
Assistive Tools
Assistive tools help children with special needs join class and learn new things. These tools can be simple or use technology.
Communication Devices
Some children need help to talk or share ideas. Communication devices, like talking tablets or picture boards, help your child speak up. These tools help children with speech or language problems join class talks and make friends.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act says schools must think about these devices for every child who needs them. Using these tools can make school better and help your child feel part of the group.
Learning Software
Learning software and apps help with reading, writing, and math. Your child may use programs that read out loud, highlight words, or give steps to follow.
These tools help children learn at their own pace and feel more sure of themselves. Research shows assistive technology:
- Makes lessons and activities easier to reach
- Helps with talking and being independent
- Lets children join class and social times
- Builds skills for life after school
Teachers and families work together to pick the best tools. Training helps everyone use these tools well.
You can help your child by learning about new technology and asking teachers about choices. Assistive tools help children with special needs do their best and reach their goals.
Social and Communication Needs
Social Inclusion
Children with special needs want to feel included. They want to be accepted by others. Social inclusion means helping your child join in at school and in the community. You make sure every child feels safe and valued. This is true no matter what their abilities are.
Peer Relationships
Having friends is important for your child’s happiness. It also helps them grow. Some children with special needs have fewer friends. They might feel left out sometimes.
Language skills can make it harder to make friends. If a child has trouble talking or understanding, joining in is tough. Research shows children with autism often feel lonely. This can happen even in regular classrooms. Just being included does not always mean having friends.
You can help your child by encouraging good peer interactions. Teachers and parents are both important. Teachers can set up group work or buddy systems.
Parents can arrange playdates or teach about friendship. Peer modeling helps too. This is when classmates show good social skills. It helps children learn how to act with others. This builds self-esteem and empathy for everyone.
Children who spend more time with peers learn better social skills. They also feel more accepted by others.
Community Activities
Community activities help your child meet new people. They also let your child try new things. These activities can be sports, clubs, art, or cultural events.
When your child joins these programs, they build confidence. They also learn how to work with others. The World Health Organization says personal help, fun, and culture are important. These things help your child get past barriers like stigma or lack of access.
You can look for programs that welcome all children. Many communities have events that celebrate diversity. These experiences help your child feel proud. They also help your child know where they belong.
Communication Support
Many children with special needs need help with communication. Some have trouble speaking or understanding words. You can help your child by using different support methods.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy helps your child talk and listen better. Therapists use games and activities to build language skills. Programs like LEAP and Denver Model mix learning with play.
They also teach social skills. These programs work best in daily life and with parents involved. Children who start with some skills often make the most progress.
Speech therapy at home or school helps your child use new words. It also helps them share ideas in real life.
Alternative Communication
Some children need tools to help them communicate. Augmentative and Alternative Communication uses picture boards or tablets. These tools help your child share needs and feelings.
Studies show AAC, like speech devices, helps children talk more. Functional Communication Training teaches new ways to express needs. This can reduce challenging behaviors.
You can work with teachers and therapists to find the right tools. Using AAC every day helps your child join in. Technology, like tablets and apps, makes talking easier and more fun.
Every child should have a way to connect with others. Communication support helps with learning, friendship, and independence.
Practical and Family Support
Families with children who have special needs often need more help. Getting practical help and family resources can make life easier.
These supports include family resources, money help, advocacy, and knowing your legal rights. Planning ahead and learning about your choices can help you feel sure of yourself.
Family Resources
There are many resources to help your child. Most families ask health professionals and school staff for help.
The table below shows which resources families use the most:
| Resource Type | Percentage of Families Accessing |
|---|---|
| Pediatricians | 84.5% |
| Speech and Language Therapists | 84.2% |
| General Medical Practitioners | 78.8% |
| Dentists | 75.9% |
| School Staff | 71.6% |
| Received any intervention (past 12 months) | 29.3% |
| Accessed packaged interventions | 18.9% |
You can also get help from respite care, counseling, and groups for parents or siblings. These supports help you handle stress and meet others who understand.
Many families have trouble getting all the help they need. Over 75% of families say they do not get enough help. Early intervention, therapy, and school services can help, but where you live matters.
Support Groups
Support groups let you share stories and learn from other families. There are groups for parents, siblings, or caregivers.
These groups give emotional support, advice, and friendship. Many parents say support groups help them feel less alone and more ready for challenges.
Financial Assistance
Taking care of a child with special needs can cost a lot. You may pay extra for therapy, equipment, or time off work.
Research shows 40% of these families feel money stress. You might get help from programs like Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, or state aid.
Tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, can help too. These programs lower child poverty and help families worry less. Emergency money help can cover urgent needs and stop crises.
More family income can help your child’s health, learning, and behavior. Money help supports your whole family’s well-being.
Advocacy and Rights
Knowing your rights helps you get the best help for your child. Advocacy means speaking up for your child at school, in the community, or with service providers.
Legal Protections
Many laws protect your child’s rights. The table below lists important issues and the laws that help:
| Advocacy and Rights Issues | Legal Protections | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Humane treatment and access to education | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | Schools must prepare students for further education and life. |
| Protection from discrimination | Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act | Schools must provide accommodations for disabilities. |
| Support for psychiatric needs | Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) | Schools must meet needs of children with psychiatric disabilities. |
| Achievement standards | No Child Left Behind Act | Schools must uphold standards for children with disabilities. |
You can ask for evaluations, services, and accommodations for your child. Legal advocates and community groups can help you learn about these rights.
Navigating Services
You may need to work with many programs and agencies. Finding your way through services can feel hard.
Many families use these strategies:
- Learn about special education rights and services
- Become an expert on your child’s needs
- Ask questions and keep trying
- Join advocacy groups or teams
- Use social networks and community resources
Early intervention and staying informed help you get the best support. Advocacy skills grow over time and help you make good changes for your child and others.
You are your child’s best advocate. Knowledge, support, and not giving up help you get the resources your family needs.
Early Intervention and Protection
Early intervention and protection are very important for special children. You can help your child by finding problems early and making safe places. These steps help your child grow well and stay safe from harm.
Early Identification
Early identification means finding signs of special needs early. You can watch your child’s growth and use tests to check for problems.
Screenings
Screenings help you see if your child meets milestones. Doctors use tools like the M-CHAT at checkups at 9, 18, and 24 months.
These tests look for things like:
- Not answering when called by name
- Trouble looking where you point
- Slow language or social skills
- Playing in unusual ways
Brain scans show that children with autism may have different brain growth. Watching how your child plays and talks helps you spot early signs. Early screenings let you start helping your child sooner.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis helps you know what your child needs. Getting a diagnosis early connects you to help and support. Early diagnosis lowers family stress and worry.
It also helps you plan for therapy and services. Programs like Early Start Denver Model work best between ages 1 and 3. They help with language, social, and thinking skills.
Early diagnosis lets you use therapies like ABA, speech, and occupational therapy. These therapies help with talking, social skills, and daily life.
Finding problems early gives your child the best chance to learn. Waiting too long can slow progress, so act quickly.
Protective Support
Protective support means keeping your child safe and feeling secure. Children with special needs may face more risks, so safety is very important.
Preventing Abuse
You can use many ways to keep your child safe from abuse:
- Make clear rules to stop, find, and handle abuse.
- Go beyond just saying “no abuse” by teaching and checking often.
- Use both outside and inside ways to report problems fast.
- Check backgrounds of anyone working with your child.
- Teach your child about personal space and body rules.
- Have open talks and no secrets at home.
- Watch for changes in mood or behavior and take them seriously.
You can also help groups that teach families and protect special children. Safety tips like internet safety and stopping bullying add more protection.
Safe Environments
Safe places help your child feel secure at home, school, and outside. You can make safe spaces by:
- Knowing everyone who spends time with your child and checking their background
- Using clear rules for staff and helpers
- Giving training on how to stop and spot abuse
- Teaching your child how to notice and tell about bad behavior
- Getting ready for emergencies with safety plans and practice drills
Safe places help your child learn, grow, and trust others. You are very important in making sure your child feels safe every day.
Empowering Children and Families
Building Self-Esteem
Children with special needs can have a hard time feeling good about themselves. Helping your child build self-esteem makes them feel strong and important. When you work on self-esteem, you help your child do better at home, in school, and with others.
Positive Reinforcement
You can help your child feel proud by using positive reinforcement. This means you notice when they do something good and praise them.
Saying things like “Great job!” or “I’m proud of you!” helps a lot. You can also give rewards, like more playtime or a favorite game, to encourage your child.
- Animal-assisted therapies, like donkey or horse therapy, help children with ADHD, Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy feel better about themselves.
- These therapies are not just for fun. They are part of a bigger plan to help your child grow.
- When children feel good about themselves, they talk more and do better in school and with friends.
- Children with learning disabilities may not feel good about themselves. Special activities, like animal-assisted therapy, help stop emotional problems and support happiness.
- Animals show care and help children connect with caregivers, making it easier for your child to share feelings.
Try to praise your child right after they do something good. This helps them link their actions with happy feelings.
Encouragement
Encouragement means you support your child, even when things are tough. You can remind your child that everyone learns in their own way.
When you are patient and understanding, your child feels safe to try new things. Encouragement helps your child keep trying, even if they make mistakes.
- Children with higher self-esteem understand how others feel better. This skill, called cognitive empathy, helps them make friends and join group activities.
- When you help your child feel good about themselves, you also teach them to accept and include others.
- Building self-esteem leads to better attitudes about disability and helps make a kinder, more welcoming community.
Family Education
Family education gives you the skills and knowledge to help your child. When you learn new things, you can help your child do well at home and at school.
Training
Training programs teach you how to work with teachers, therapists, and other families. These programs help you build strong teamwork between home and school.
You learn ways to get involved in your child’s learning and use ideas that fit your family. Good programs give you tools that go beyond what is required. They help you support your child’s learning, behavior, and changes from kindergarten through high school.
Counseling
Counseling gives you a safe place to talk about your feelings and problems. Family-centered programs respect your choices, strengths, and culture.
They help you trust and work together with professionals. Talking often and having flexible help lets you handle stress and find answers that work for your family. When you join support groups or talk with other families, you learn new things and feel less alone.
Family education and support help you feel sure and ready. When you know what to do, you can help your child do their best.
When you ask, What Are the Needs of Special Child?, you learn each child needs a plan just for them. You help your child most by looking at their physical, developmental, behavioral, sensory, educational, social, and family needs.
Research shows starting help early and using proven methods helps children grow and do better over time. It can be hard to find support, but making good connections and using what is there can help a lot. Always remember, when you speak up and stay hopeful, you help your child succeed.
FAQ
What is a special child?
A special child has differences in how they move, learn, or act. Some children have physical, developmental, behavioral, or sensory needs. You might see your child learn or talk in a different way. Special children often need more help to do their best.
What support does a special child need at home?
You can help by making routines and using pictures or charts. Make sure your home is safe and calm. Your child might need therapy or special tools. Give your child extra time to finish things. Family support and kind words help your child feel safe and strong.
What are common challenges for special children in school?
Special children may have trouble learning or making friends. Some get overwhelmed by noise or lights. You can work with teachers to make an Individualized Education Program. Using special tools helps your child do better in class.
What therapies help special children?
Speech, occupational, and physical therapies help many children. Some children also use behavioral or sensory integration therapy. Therapists teach skills for talking, moving, and getting along with others.
What can you do if your child struggles with communication?
You can try speech therapy or use picture boards. Communication devices help your child share needs and feelings. Working with a speech therapist gives your child more ways to talk to others.
What resources are available for families?
You can join support groups or get help with money or counseling. Many towns have programs for families with special children. Ask your doctor, school, or local groups for more information.
What steps help keep a special child safe?
Teach your child about safe adults and personal space. Use clear rules at home and at school. Check the background of anyone who helps your child. Watch for changes in how your child feels or acts.
What should you do if you notice developmental delays?
Talk to your doctor as soon as you can. Early tests and finding out what is wrong help your child get support. Getting help early makes learning and social skills better.
