Psychosocial characteristics of the handicapped children

Abstract

This paper deals with some psychosocial characteristics of 1215 handicapped children. These cases were reported to the Centre for Handicapped Children, Institute of Child Health, Calcutta between January 1975 and March, 1985. For each child, after taking detailed case history, through medical, clinical, psychiatric and psychological examination were held for diagnosis and treatment. It was found that majority of the handicapped children were boys (63·8%) and a high portion of the handicapped children were mentally retarded (49·30%). The second largest group was emotionally disturbed followed by cerebral dysrhythmia. Ages of the children varied from 1 year 7 months to 15 years. Findings also indicated association between mental retardation and parents' socio-economic condition, mother's age and education, and family history of psychiatric illness.