Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs in Wisconsin

Approximately 274,000 Wisconsin children have special health care needs. These children are birth to 21 years of age and have a long term, chronic physical, developmental , behavioral or emotional illness or condition.  The illness or condition: 

• Is severe enough to restrict growth, development or ability to engage in usual activities;
• Has been or is likely to be present or persist for 12 months to lifelong; and 
• Is of sufficient complexity to require specialized health care, psychological or educational services of a type or amount beyond that required generally by children. 

Examples include: cerebral palsy, leukemia, diabetes, autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and severe asthma.

Last Revised: December 14, 2005