Ensuring Quality and Accessible Care for Children with Disabilities and Complex Health and Educational Needs

Abstract

On December 9-10, 2015, the Forum on Promoting Children's Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Health held a 2-day workshop, “Ensuring Quality and Accessible Care for Children with Disabilities and Complex Health and Educational Needs.” The goal of the workshop was to explore the needs and challenges faced by individuals and families affected by disabilities and complex conditions, as well as opportunities and innovative approaches for those conditions. Presenters and workshop participants discussed the epidemi- ology of disabilities, the behavioral health implications of having multiple or chronic medical conditions, early identification and interventions in different population groups, and the role of the media in shaping perceptions and misperceptions of disabilities. A special focus was how best to configure and coordinate systems of care to improve the lives of children with disabilities and complex health and educational needs. This brief summary of the workshop highlights topics raised by presenters and participants. It represents the viewpoints of the speakers and should not be viewed as the conclusions or recommendations of the workshop as a whole.