Abstract
In 1975, Public Law 94-142 directed the states to develop a plan for identifying all handicapped children in the states and to determine who is or not being served. Compliance with this mandate became the prerequisite for receiving federal grants for services to any handicapped children. The five component elements of all identification programs were to be: screening, case finding, diagnosis, educational assessment, and program evaluation. The need for federal funds for these services cannot be overemphasized in view of the staggering financial drain on the families and states.
This article addresses the screening component and proposes an identification system for neonates at risk for future handicapping conditions. In tabular form, the system consists of: Perinatal Diagnostic Category, Clinical Symptoms and Signs, Target Organ System Affected, Subsequent Morbidity, and Risk Probability. This approach has several advantages:
1. Selection of infants for participation in federally funded programs based on risk probabilities.
2. Rapid targeting of organ systems for potential morbidity and early intervention to prevent or ameliorate the same.
3. Provides a realistic base on which to discuss management and its outcome with parents.
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Molnar, E., Fomufod, A., Blake, J. et al. 675 NON-CATEGORICAL IDENTIFICATION OF INFANTS WHO ARE AT RISK FOR FUTURE HANDICAPPING CONDITIONS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 554 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00698
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00698