Anaesthesia for children with special needs, including autistic spectrum disorder

Abstract

Approximately 2% of the population are thought to have a learning disability, with an estimated prevalence in England of 75 000 children and young people whose condition is moderate to severe.¹ For the purposes of this article, the term ‘special needs’ encompasses learning disability (IQ<70), language and communication disorder, or any disability that prevents a child from coping well with new experiences.