School Placement
Judith S. Palfrey MD1
Leonard A. Rappaport MD2
1 Chief, Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital, and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston
2 Assistant in Medicine, The Children's Hospital, and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston
As part of the current emphasis on health rather than disease, strength rather than weakness, many pediatricians are orienting their practices to explore and support optimum childhood functioning. This orientation is totally in concert with the declaration of the special education movement that professionals can no longer exclude children from school but must do everything they can to include even the most severely disabled child in the life of the community.
Pediatricians have a unique opportunity and responsibility with regard to school placement. Aware of the child's history and medical background, pediatricians can work creatively with schools and other agencies to design placements that will allow the child the greatest room for growth. Moreover, pediatricians can help establish intervention programs as soon as a child's disability is determined. As pediatricians take the opportunity to interact with other child development specialists and service agencies, there will be a common growth of knowledge about children, their needs, and the best services to meet these needs.
