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AFCARS Disability/Special Needs Table

The following table lists several medical/emotional conditions that may be mapped to AFCARS for foster care data elements #11-15 and adoption data elements #11-15. This is not an exhaustive list of all conditions that a State may be using in a State's Information System. If a State includes other chronic disease categories, or other mental health/behavior diagnoses, and wants to have its mapping reviewed, contact the National Resource Center for Child Welfare Data and Technology (NRC-CWDT) (www.nrccwdt.org). In some instances, the ICD-9 code is included.

#11 Mental Retardation:
"Significantly subaverage general cognitive and motor functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior manifested during the developmental period that adversely affect a child's/youth's socialization and learning."

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#12 Visually /Hearing Impaired:
"Having a visual impairment that may significantly affect educational performance or development; or a hearing impairment, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects educational performance."

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#13 Physically Disabled:
"A physical condition that adversely affects the child's day-to-day motor functioning, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, orthopedic impairments, and other physical disabilities."

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#14 Emotionally Disturbed:
"A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree: An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships; inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances; a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal problems. The term includes persons who are schizophrenic or autistic. The term does not include persons who are socially maladjusted, unless it is determined that they are also seriously emotionally disturbed. The diagnosis is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Third Edition) (DSM III) or the most recent edition." [Note: the current edition is DSM-IV.]

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#15 Other Medically Diagnosed Condition:
"Conditions other than those noted above which require special medical care such as chronic illnesses. Included are children diagnosed as HIV positive or with AIDS."

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