Special needs is an umbrella term for a wide array of diagnoses, from those that resolve quickly to those that will be a challenge for life and those that are relatively mild to those that are profound. Children with special needs may have developmental delays, medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, and/or congenital conditions. These special needs require a supportive, informed parent/s and accommodations so children can reach their potential.  

Pick any two families of children with special needs and they may seem to have little in common. A family dealing with developmental delays will have different concerns than one dealing with chronic illness or learning deficits. These families will have different challenges than one dealing with mental illness, learning problems, or behavioral challenges.

Special needs is a very broad term and every situation is unique. Families should focus on seeking the help and guidance needed for their particular concerns.

Medical issues for children include serious conditions like cancer, heart defects, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis. It also includes chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, congenital conditions like cerebral palsy and dwarfism, and health threats like food allergies and obesity. A child may need frequent medical testing, hospital stays, equipment, and accommodations for disabilities. Establishing a good support system is very important when dealing with uncertainty and any medical crises.

Behavior issues: Children with behavior issues may not respond to traditional discipline. Diagnoses like ADHD, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), dysfunction of sensory integration, and oppositional defiance disorder require specialized strategies that are tailored to their specific needs. Behavior issues can increase the risk of problems at school. As a parent, you will need to be flexible, creative, and patient.

Developmental disabilities can change your visions of the future and provide immediate difficulties in caring for and educating your child. Diagnoses like autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities often cause children to be removed from the mainstream.

Children with learning disabilities like dyslexia and auditory processing disorder (APD) struggle with schoolwork regardless of their intellectual abilities. They require specialized learning strategies to meet their potential and avoid self-esteem problems and behavioral difficulties.

Mental Health issues: Realizing that your child suffers from anxiety or depression or has attachment difficulties can be unexpected. Again, every child will be different, yet these can leave your family dealing with a roller coaster of mood swings, crises, and defiance. It's important that parents find the right professionals to help. You will also need to make decisions about therapy, medications, and, possibly, hospitalization.

Typical special needs of the children in Colombia as determined by the Colombian Ministry of Health.

• Early fluency disorder in childhood (stuttering)
• social communication disorder
• communication disorder not specified
• coordination development disorder
• Stereotypic movement disorder (tics disorder)
• social communication disorder, communication disorder not specified.
• Autism spectrum disorder
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• specific learning disorder
• other specified neurodevelopment disorder
• neurological development disorders not specified
• schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
•  bipolar disorder and related disorders
• depressive disorders
•  anxiety disorders
•  disorders related to trauma and stress factors
• eating and food intake disorders
• extretion disorders
• destructive impulse and behavior control disorders
• child sexual abuse
• intellectual functioning limit
• Oncology (Cancer) pathologies current or in remission
• cardiovascular diseases
• Type II diabetes (and Type I)
• Orphan diseases 1 and Rare diseases 2
• Intellectual disability (intellectual development disorder)
• Global Delays of development
•  Intellectual disability not specified (Intellectual development disorder)
• language disorder
• phonological (speach) disorder