Special Needs Children
By Ryan Cass

Financial Stress -Child With Special Health Care Needs –CSHCN
Having a Child With Special Health Care Needs –CSHCN can affect a family’s finances, employment status, and mental health. The demands on families may require that parents cut down their work hours or give up a job, at the same time that they face burdensome out-of-pocket health care costs.

This is a very challenging specialty focus area for Financial Services Professionals. To be sure, you will help most families plan for their normal lifestyle expenses, while at the same time helping them save for their children's college education and then retirement.

Educating Children With Special Health Care Needs –CSHCN
Financial Services Professionals need to be aware that federal law mandates that every child will receive a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. To support their ability to learn in school, three Federal laws apply to children with special needs:

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1975)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990).

Different states have different criteria for eligibility, services available, and procedures for implementing their laws. It is important for parents to be aware of these laws and regulations in their particular area. READ MORE