[Definition and prevalence of school-age multi-handicaps]

Abstract

Background: Regulations concerning services for handicapped children in France have defined the notion of multi-handicap. There are, however, divergences in the procedures for applying this definition, and differences in the prevalence in different areas. This study is aimed at clarifying these two points.

Population and methods: A survey in three French departments provided data about disabled children born between 1975 and 1985 who received services from the departmental committee for special education or from day hospitals. The data was systematically collected by a physician using medical files.

Results: The results showed that the group of multi-handicapped children was heterogeneous. The most restrictive definition (motor disability with profound mental retardation, bed-ridden or restricted to a chair) resulted in a prevalence of 0.73%. A broader definition based on the concept of zero autonomy, but excluding mild or moderate mental retardation, resulted in a prevalence of 1.28%.

Conclusion: The importance of specifying the objectives of a definition selected for operational reasons is stressed in order to improve the estimation of specific needs.