[Early recognition and treatment of motor handicaps in children: role of the rehabilitation center]. / Vroegtijdige onderkenning en behandeling van motorische handicaps bij kinderen: de plaats van het revalidatiecentrum.

ABSTRACT

In this article the place of the rehabilitation centre in the healthcare of children from 0-4 years with developmental disorders is investigated. For that purpose the case-histories of 89 treated patients, seen in the period of 1975-1979, are analysed and an inquiry was set up for the parents of the patients. One of the conclusions is that--for the child with motordisturbances--a section for early examination and early treatment in a rehabilitation centre can serve as a link between the first period of recognition and possible treatment and the ultimate phase of care in an appropriate setting. On an outpatient basis multidisciplinary investigation and longstanding observation together with treatment, instruction of and social support for the parents can take place uninterruptedly. Another outcome is that this working-procedure functions just as well for children with undiagnosed motordisturbances as for children with diagnosed primary motordisturbances, typical for the average population in a rehabilitation centre. As soon as the developmental disorder of the first mentioned group of patients appears not to be a primary motordisturbance or as soon as the treatment of the patient is completed, the patient can be appropriately transferred. However, in practice this transfer is sometimes impossible because of the lack of an appropriate setting.