Policy
The Council on Children with Disabilities policy documents listed below are in chronological order by their date of publication or reaffirmation. Search all AAP Policy Statements, Clinical Reports, and Technical Reports.
Visit HealthyChildren.org, the AAP Web site for parents and consumers, for parent appropriate information on many of the topics listed below.
Oral Health Care for Children with Developmental Disabilities
Published: PEDIATRICS, March 2013 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Kenneth W. Norwood, Jr, MD, Rebecca L. Slayton, DDS, PhD, the Council on Children with Disabilities and the Section on Oral Health
Additional Information/Resources
AAP News Article: "Oral health crucial for children with developmental disabilities "
Sensory Integration Therapies for Children with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders
Published: PEDIATRICS, June 2012 (Policy Statement)
Authors: Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine and the Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
AAP News Article: "Not ready for prime time: Policy cautions against using sensory processing disorder as a diagnosis"
Home Care of Children and Youth With Complex Health Care Needs and Technology Dependencies
Published: PEDIATRICS, May 2012 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Ellen Roy Elias, MD, Nancy A. Murphy, MD, and the Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
AAP News Article: "Report outlines facets of home care for youths with complex medical needs"
Prescribing Assistive-Technology Systems: Focus on Children With Impaired Communication
Published: PEDIATRICS, June 2008, Reaffirmed January 2012 (Clinical Report)
Author: Larry W. Desch, MD, Deborah Gaebler-Spira, MD and the Council on Children With Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Sample Letter of Medical Necessity 
AAP News Article: "Rx for success: Tips on recommending assistive technology for children with impaired communication"
Letter to Private Payers Supporting Clinical Report
Promoting the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Sports, Recreation, and Physical Activities
Published: PEDIATRICS, May 2008, Reaffirmed January 2012 (Clinical Report)
Author: Nancy Murphy, MD, Paul S. Carbone, MD and the Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources (health/recreation)
AAP News Article: "Sports—A winning choice for kids with disabilities"
AAP News Article: “Physical activity benefits minds, bodies of youths with disabilities”
Providing a Primary Care Medical Home for Children and Youth With Spina Bifida
Published: PEDIATRICS, December 2011 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Robert Burke, MD, MPH, Gregory S. Liptak, MD, MPH and the Council on Children With Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
AAP News "News and Features" Article: New clinical report is a tool to guide pediatricians in providing family-centered care for children with spina bifida (December 2011)
Providing a Primary Care Medical Home for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy
Published: PEDIATRICS, November 2011 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Gregory S. Liptak, MD, Nancy A. Murphy, MD and the Council on Children With Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
AAP News "News and Features" Article: Shared decision-making with family key: Clinical report identifies interventions most likely to benefit children with cerebral palsy (November 2011)
Parent-Provider-Community Partnerships: Optimizing Outcomes for Children With Disabilities
Published: PEDIATRICS, October 2011 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Nancy A. Murphy, MD, Paul S. Carbone, MD and the Council on Children With Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
AAP News "News and Features" Article: Strong partnerships can help maximize health of 10 million U.S. children with disabilities (October 2011)
Supporting the Health Care Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood in the Medical Home
Published: PEDIATRICS, July 2011(early released June 27, 2011)
Authors: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American College of Physicians, Transitions Clinical Report Authoring Group (COCWD lead AAP group)
Additional Information/Resources
Prescribing Therapy Services for Children with Motor Disabilities
Published: PEDIATRICS, June 2004, Reaffirmed May 2007, Reaffirmed May 2011 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Linda J. Michaud, MD and the Committee on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision
Published: PEDIATRICS, March 2011 (Technical Report)
Authors: Sheryl M. Handler, MD, Walter M. Fierson, MD and the Section on Ophthalmology and Council on Children with Disabilities, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Association of Certified Orthoptists
Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision
Published: PEDIATRICS, August 2009 (Policy Statement)
Authors: American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Ophthalmology, Council on Children with Disabilities, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and American Association of Certified Orthoptists
Additional Information/Resources
AAP Patient Education Brochure: Learning Disabilities: What Parents Need to Know
AAP News "News and Features" Article: Crystal Clear: New AAP Report Backs Up Earlier Policy Debunking Vision Therapies in Treatment of Learning Disabilities (March 2011)
AAP News "Focus and Subspecialties" Article: Evidence Shows Vision Therapy Does Not Benefit Children with Dyslexia (May 2010)
AAP News "News and Features" Article: No Quick Cures for Dyslexia (August 2009)
Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities
Published: PEDIATRICS, May 2007, Reaffirmed January 2011 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Roberta A. Hibbard, MD, Larry W. Desch, MD, the Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Council on Children With Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Identification and Evaluation of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Published: PEDIATRICS, November 2007, Reaffirmed September 2010 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Chris Plauché Johnson, MD, MEd, Scott M. Myers, MD and the Council on Children With Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Published: PEDIATRICS, November 2007, Reaffirmed September 2010 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Scott M. Myers, MD, Chris Plauché Johnson, MD, MEd and the Council on Children With Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Media Briefing about New Autism Clinical Reports
AAP Autism Health Topics Page
Treatment of Neurologically Impaired Children Using Patterning
Published: PEDIATRICS, November 1999, Reaffirmed November 2002, Reaffirmed January 2006, Reaffirmed August 2010 (Policy Statement)
Author: Committee on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Counseling Families Who Choose Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Their Child With Chronic Illness or Disability
Published: PEDIATRICS, March 2001, Reaffirmed January 2005, Reaffirmed May 2010 (Policy Statement)
Author: Committee on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Emergency Information Forms and Emergency Preparedness for Children With Special Health Care Needs
Published: PEDIATRICS, October 1999, Reaffirmed April 2010 (Policy Statement)
Author: Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Council on Clinical Information Technology, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Pediatric Emergency Medicine Committee
Auditory Integration Training and Facilitated Communication for Autism
Published: PEDIATRICS, August 1998, Reaffirmed May 2002, Reaffirmed January 2006, Reaffirmed December 2009 (Policy Statement)
Author: Committee on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Identifying Infants and Young Children With Developmental Disorders in the Medical Home: An Algorithm for Developmental Surveillance and Screening
Published: PEDIATRICS, July 2006, Reaffirmed December 2009 (Policy Statement)
Authors: Council on Children With Disabilities, Section on Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Bright Futures Steering Committee and Medical Home Initiatives for Children With Special Needs Project Advisory Committee
Additional Information/Resources
Developmental Surveillance and Screening Policy Implementation Project (D-PIP)
Pediatrics Article: "Implementing Developmental Screening and Referrals: Lessons Learned From a National Project"
AAP News Article: "AAP policy, algorithm assist in early developmental screens"
Sexuality of Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities
Published: PEDIATRICS, July 2006, Reaffirmed December 2009 (Clinical Report)
Authors: Nancy Murphy, MD, Ellen Roy Elias, MD, and the Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources 
AAP News Article: "AAP report: Discuss sexuality with developmentally disabled patients"
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Published: PEDIATRICS, December 2009 (Policy Statement)
Author: Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
AAP News Article: "Are your patients eligible for the Social Security Income program?"
Newborn Screening Expands: Recommendations for Pediatricians and Medical Homes—Implications for the System
Published: PEDIATRICS, January 2008 (Clinical Report)
Author: Newborn Screening Authoring Committee (COCWD included on the Committee)
Additional Information/Resources
Role of the Medical Home in Family-Centered Early Intervention Services
Published: PEDIATRICS, November 2007 (Policy Statement) (Under Revision)
Author: Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Provision of Educationally Related Services for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Diseases and Disabling Conditions
Published: PEDIATRICS, June 2007 (Policy Statement)
Author: Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Pediatrician's Role in Development and Implementation of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and/or an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)
Published: PEDIATRICS, July 1999, Reaffirmed November 2002, Reaffirmed January 2006 (Policy Statement) (Under Revision)
Author: Committee on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Care Coordination in the Medical Home: Integrating Health and Related Systems of Care for Children With Special Health Care Needs
Published: PEDIATRICS, November 2005 (Policy Statement) (Under Revision)
Author: Council on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Published: PEDIATRICS, August 2000 (Policy Statement) (Under Revision)
Author: Committee on Substance Abuse and Committee on Children with Disabilities
Additional Information/Resources
