Objective: A cross sectional study of seven hundred and fifty eight children having undergone treatment at a child development centre, reviewed over a span of 3 years (Feb 2002 – Aug 2005).

Setting: New Horizons Child Development Centre, Mumbai

Patients and Methodology: 758 patients were diagnosed by a qualified Paediatrician and a team of trained professionals in childhood disabilities (Clinical Psychologists, Special Educators, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists) in accordance with ICD-10 criteria. Over 50% of children were referred by schools, the remaining being referred by paediatric clinicians. Specific scales were used to arrive at a diagnosis and formulate therapy (Gross Motor Function Measure, Modified Ashworths' Scale, Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Scale, Specific Occupational, Speech and Physiotherapy assessments).

Results: It was observed that more than half of the study sample were of male gender. Also 75% had at least one parent with a skilled job. The age limits of children taken in this study span from 10 days to 16 years. Children were grouped into the following: Cerebral Palsy (214)- 28%, Learning Disability (114)- 15%, Specific Speech Delay (121)- 16%, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (88)- 12%, Mental Retardation (60)- 8%, Autism (36)- 5%, Attention Deficit Disorder (36)- 5%, Dows Syndrome (22)- 3%, Seizure Disorder (20)- 3%, Muscular Dystrophy (9)- 1%, Others (39)- 5%.

Discussion and Conclusion: Childhood disabilities area group of common disorders widely distributed in the population with inadequate diagnoses and management facilities. Presently, there is a grave necessity for centres having multiple specialized therapy under one roof. Though the incidence of clinical diagnoses in this centre may be insignificant as compared to the general population, this may also prove to be the tip of the iceberg. While recent treatment measures are encouraging, inadequate treatment is a serious concern. Emphasis on screening and expansion of treatment needs to be accompanied by a parallel emphasis on treatment quality improvement.

Childhood Disablity Update 2005 - Conference Abstracts.Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2006 [cited 15 January 2006(Supplement 1)];3. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
Epidemiology_childhood_disability_disorders.asp