The Handicapped Child
In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 355, Heft 1, S. 121-127
ISSN: 1552-3349
The physically or mentally handicapped child has special needs because of his handicap. Many services have been developed with the objective of assisting the child to attain the greatest amount of self-sufficiency as an adult. Medical-care services are a necessary part of these services. The Crippled Children Services programs provide specialized medical services for handicapped children. These programs need re-evaluation. Although they provide care for a signifi cant number of handicapped children, they fail to include many children whose handicapping conditions can be effectively treated and whose families cannot afford specialized care. In creased recognition must be given to the needs of the handi capped for social, vocational, recreational, and custodial serv ices. A greater share of our national wealth must be directed into services for the handicapped so that they may attain the greatest possible level of self-sufficiency. A major priority should be placed on research into the causes of the disabling defects of childhood so that adequate preventive measures may be developed.