Sunburn and sweat are par for the summertime course for most kids, temporary inconveniences and discomforts that pale in comparison to the fun of enjoying the sweet sunshine. But for some children with special needs, sun and heat can be more than an idle threat. Many medications may cause your child's skin to be more sensitive to the sun, resulting in sunburn and skin damage in even a short sunshiny time.

Read over the patient information that comes with your child's medications carefully, looking for any indication that time in the sun should be limited. Lost those information sheets? The FDA has them stored online for easy checking.

Heat may also be a problem with certain medications and certain diagnosis. If going outdoors on steamy days is unavoidable, try to have an ample supply of bottled water on hand. Staying hydrated by drinking fluids is good, but you may also want to be able to splash some water on a flushed face or poor some over a sweaty head. Make sure anyone who tends to your child in your absence knows to watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and take them and any other odd behaviors very seriously. Take them seriously yourself, and have an escape plan to an air-conditioned spot planned at any outdoor heat-fest.