Pediatrician's Role in the Care of Disabled Children

Parents and educators hold certain important assumptions and expectations about the role that pediatricians play in the care of handicapped children. They perceive the pediatrician as the appropriate source for continuing information regarding referrals and management, and as the major provider of psychologic support and understanding for the family. The extent to which their expectations are met depends upon the pediatrician's awareness of this perception, willingness to assume these roles, and expertise in performing these functions. The pediatrician's effectiveness in providing a broad and sophisticated perspective is enhanced through knowledge of information about the positive developments in the treatment of handicapped children. Research literature and clinical practice reveal greatly increased opportunities for handicapped children to benefit from education and training, and thus now to have a higher probability of employment and productive life in our society. Although a medical "cure" for most disabling conditions will not be possible, there is growing evidence that early intervention and educational treatment can reduce the extent of disablement if not the severity of the disabilities. Appropriate help occurs when pediatricians give parents direction as to sources of support and training for their young child in the first months of his or her life and long-term acceptance and counselling as that child grows and develops.