A special needs child is a child with medical, developmental, educational, mental health, or disability-related needs that require tailored parenting plan provisions, support calculations, and potentially extended or modified support obligations.

Parenting plans for special needs children must address the child's specific care requirements for medical appointments, therapy schedules, specialized school programs, equipment and supply needs, and how decisions about specialized care are made. A generic parenting plan does not serve a child with significant special needs.

Child support for a special needs child may exceed the standard guideline amount and age duration to account for extraordinary medical, therapeutic, educational, and care costs.