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Specialty Care

The Center for Special Health Care Needs

Serving young adults with medically and socially complex conditions.

Comprehensive Primary Care

The Center for Special Health Care Needs is the only center in the greater Delaware area dedicated to providing primary care for adults ages 18 and older with complex medical and social conditions that originated in childhood.

The Center brings together a team of medical experts in one convenient location to provide a flexible, innovative and individualized approach to each patient’s care.

Transitioning to Adulthood

Our team guides patients through the transition from pediatrics to adult medicine. While minimizing fear and anxiety, we empower them to live the healthiest life possible and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.

During a visit to the Center for Special Health Care Needs, patients meet with a social worker and physicians, nutritionists, physical therapists and other specialists as needed. We connect patients with resources in the community and help them to find additional specialists as needed.

To make an appointment, call 302-320-6300.

Adult Cerebral Palsy Care

Aging can be more complicated if you have cerebral palsy. That’s why the Center for Special Health Care Needs provides a centralized location that can help you to manage your care.

Our team has experience in helping CP patients to live independently and to modify their lifestyle to maximize their mobility. We can also help you to address age-related health risks such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis that you may face as an adult.

Our goal is to allow to you to receive personalized treatment in a warm and friendly environment. We consider each person’s quality of life, personal goals, social and living situation, and access to support from friends and family. 

A male caretaker showing mushroom to a young woman with cerebral palsy in wheelchair in a forest.

Your visit can be customized to meet your needs. You and your family can consult our specialists even if you already have a primary care physician. Or you can work with our team over a longer time period.

We will work together to determine what is right for you, and this could include:

  • Managed by specialists who are familiar with cerebral palsy.
  • Treating the cold, flu and other common illnesses.
  • Managing pelvic exams, pap smears, and other routine screenings for women. Sedation is available for these appointments.

Adult Down Syndrome Program

The Center for Special Health Care Needs provides a centralized location to manage common health issues associated with Down syndrome. We can help you to address age-related health risks such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis that you might face as you grow older. Our compassionate team can also handle annual pelvic exams, pap smears and other routine exams for women. You can be sedated for these exams if needed.

Our goal is to allow to you to receive personalized treatment in a warm and friendly environment. We consider each person’s quality of life, personal goals, social and living situation, and access to support from friends and family. Our team will manage referrals and follow-up care with health care specialists and connect you with community resources.

Your visit to the Down syndrome consult program will consist of a customized, comprehensive evaluation with a team of medical experts who specialize in the care of individuals with Down syndrome. You and your family can consult our specialists even if you already have a primary care physician. Or you can work with our team over a longer time period.

A young businessman with Down Syndrome working with a laptop.

We can work together to determine what is right for you, and this could include:

  • Managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and thyroid issues.
  • Treating colds, sprains and other non-life threatening illnesses and injuries.
  • Making sure you receive screenings and preventive care to keep you from developing lifelong conditions.

Complex Urology Care

The Center for Special Health Care Needs provides a centralized location for those who were born with complex urologic conditions and may have undergone surgery or another intensive treatment during childhood.

Our goal is to allow you to continue your treatment in a warm and friendly environment with a team of medical experts who understand your unique medical history and the concerns that are relevant to your age.

Our program cares for the whole person, provides guidance on ways to maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle and manages referrals to specialists for physical therapy, occupational therapy, surgery and other services as necessary. We consider each person’s quality of life, personal goals, social and living situation, and access to support from friends and family.

Woman with Spina Bifida in corridor of college in wheelchair.

Our program is for those with complex urologic conditions that may have lifelong effects. These include but are not limited to:

  • Bladder exstrophy
  • Epispadias
  • Prune belly syndrome
  • Hypospadias
  • Spina bifida
  • Posterior urethral valves

Your visit can be customized to meet your needs. You and your family can consult our specialists even if you already have a primary care physician. Or you can work with our team over a longer time period.

We will work together to determine what is right for you, and this could include:

  • Identifying personal goals and steps toward achieving them.
  • Managed by specialists who are familiar with complex urologic conditions.
  • Treating the cold, flu and other common illnesses.
  • Making sure you receive screenings and preventative care to keep you from developing additional lifelong conditions.

Treating Blood Disorders

The Center for Special Health Care Needs provides a centralized location for those with mild, moderate and severe forms of inherited bleeding disorders.

Our goal is to allow you to continue your treatment in a warm and friendly environment with a team of medical experts who understand your unique medical history and the concerns that are relevant to your stage of life. Our team of hematologists, physical therapists, nurses and social workers takes the time to create comprehensive plans for surgeries, births and other life events. 

Sickle Cell Program

Sickle cell disease can cause damage to the liver, heart, kidneys, gallbladder, eyes, bones and joints. Our approach is to work with you to manage common symptoms like anemia and jaundice and to try to prevent crisis and damage to your organs.

Our goal is to help you get the vaccinations, transfusions and other treatments that you may need to minimize pain and live life to the fullest.

Hemophilia/Von Willebrand Disease Program

Our team of medical experts will work with you to help prevent and stop bleeding episodes. We will review your unique medical history and create a personalized approach based on the severity of your condition and how you’ve responded to past treatments and therapies. We can also provide insights on ways to stay active while minimizing your risk of bruising and injury.

For both programs, your visit can be customized to meet your needs. You and your family can consult our specialists even if you already have a primary care physician, and we can act as a resource to your dentist and other physicians. Or you can work with our team over a longer time period.

We can work together to determine what is right for you, and this could include:

  • Managing joint damage, hepatitis C, inhibitors and other common complications.
  • Managed by specialists who are familiar with bleeding disorders.
  • Treating the cold, flu and other common illnesses.
  • Making sure you receive screenings and preventative care to keep you from developing additional lifelong conditions.

Gynecology for Women with Disabilities

Contact Us

Center of Special Health Care Needs

Wilmington Hospital
501 West 14th Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

Emergency entrance of Wilmington Hospital