Spina bifida children in ordinary schools

Abstract

When followed-up at 6 years, 62 of a cohort of 155 spina bifida children had been placed in ordinary schools. The children's handicaps were relatively mild overall, and placements were generally successful. However, discussions with school staff and parents indicated that not all placements had been trouble-free. In common with previous research, a need for better communication between schools, medical authorities and other support services was revealed, as was the desirability of welfare-assistant provision where handicaps were appreciable. Suggestions are made about the support education and community medical services will need to consider if they wish to implement a more radical integration policy. The appointment of an advisory teacher to effect liaison and to mobilize support for ordinary schools accepting a handicapped child would seem desirable, particularly to ensure that the resources and expertise concentrated in special schools would be made more-widely available.