handicapped child: current concepts in management and rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

Handicapped children are permanently impaired such that developmental potential is limited. Manifestations of handicap are varied, often multiple and include a wide range of body systems. The disability process needs to be viewed as a "human condition" involving bio-psycho-social determinants and continuing the traditional module of illness to the points of impairment, disability and handicap. Defining these processes is essential in order to outline strategies of successful rehabilitative management. The role of a Child Developmental Institute for Neuro-Developmental-Behavioural Disorders is a valuable comprehensive centre of evaluation and multidisciplinary rehabilitation. In addition parental support and alliance in the therapeutic services play major roles. Institutional care sometimes becomes indicated