Children and Youth with Special Needs

Raising a child or youth with special needs brings joys and challenges. In order to assist and support families and children and youth with special needs from birth up to age 19, the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) are working together to offer a range of services. These services are provided through various organizations, including MCFD and CLBC offices, health authorities, contracted agencies and other ministries.

A Child with Special Needs:

• has significant impairments in one or more of the following areas: health, cognition, communication, sensory motor, social/emotional/behavioural or self help (adaptive), and
• requires specialized supports to enhance or improve their health, development, or participation in daily activities at home, in school and in their communities

To find out more about supports and how to access them, visit the Starting Out or the Services and Programs sections of this website.

	Related MCFD Sections: For more info on related services and programs, please visit: Provincial Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Early Childhood Development Child and Youth Mental Health Child Care Autism Spectrum Disorder Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder