Nutrition for Individuals with Special Needs: Advocacy Guide
Authors: Al-Jawaldeh Ayoub , Taktouk Mandy , Al-Bakheit Alaa , Barkat Amina , Al-Jawaldeh Hanin , Agha Hazem , Tayyem Reema 
Published: July 2024

Special needs is a broad term that includes numerous conditions, such as children born with congenital conditions such as cerebral palsy, to a woman with chronic arthritis, to elderly individuals dealing with dementia, to anyone who lost one or more of their motor limbs in an accident or war. Approximately 16% of the world’s population have special needs. Global trends have shown that the percentage of individuals with special needs of all-aged years has increased by around 7% from 1990 to 2017. This guide will focus on developmental needs which usually cause delays in developmental milestones, while also having an impact on the daily functions of the affected individuals. It was estimated that 14% of children and adolescents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) had developmental needs. The most common causes of developmental needs include genetic disorders, chromosomal aberrations, birth defects, premature birth, injuries during or post-delivery, untreated inborn errors of metabolism, syndromes, neuromuscular and neurological conditions, maternal exposure to infections, alcohol, smoking or drugs during pregnancy, environmental toxins, and malnutrition and deficiencies in essential nutrients. Developmental needs have shown to impact numerous health and nutrition-related aspects, primarily weight, growth, development, gastrointestinal function (GI), nutritional intake and absorption, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk, swallowing and feeding difficulties, dental health, vision and hearing abilities, as well as mental health. While early intervention and management strategies are needed to help ensure better outcomes throughout the life course of children and individuals with special needs, these strategies should target body composition and weight management, biochemical indicators, drug-nutrient interactions, dietary intakes and nutritional status, developmental status, NCDs risk, physical activity, access to healthcare, mental health and well-being, in addition to family caregiving. This guide will also shed light on the most common types of developmental needs including autism disorders, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), down syndrome, orofacial, prader-willi syndrome (PWS), spina bifida and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), as well as their nutrition and health-related problems and management approaches. General recommendations for policy makers, technical staff, and community and family members include empowering the health system, healthcare providers and facilities to cope with the special needs for people; providing social support for the people with special needs, as well as their parents, family members and caregivers; effectively managing NCDs of people with special needs; empowering individuals with special needs to take control of their health through education and self-management strategies; promoting access to inclusive physical activity programs, nutritious food options, and mental health support services; and regularly monitoring and evaluating the nutritional and health status of the people with special needs.