"Special needs" usually means that your baby has to have more care than other babies.  In the past, special babies were often described as "handicapped", "disabled", "mentally retarded", or "developmentally handicapped".  Others had medical diagnoses like "Down Syndrome", "Cerebral Palsy", or "Congenital Heart Disease".  The general term, "Special Needs" now is used to describe people who need extra help and resources to manage everyday living.

If you have a baby with "Special Needs", he/she has problems which began at birth or soon after.  You and your family could face many challenges now and in the future.  This guide may help you find the health and other services that can help.

The information is specific for Ontario residents.  Similar services in other provinces might be called different names or there may be different resources.

The content in this guide comes from parents, families and health care professionals who have worked with the services and programs.