bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceptability of and need for evening community child health clinics
Authors: TURYA E. BAIHIREYO , WEBSTER JANEN
Published: April 2006

Summary
An evening child health clinic in a disadvantaged area of a London borough had similar proportions of clinic appointments kept as day clinics offering the same range of services. However, more fathers (45%) brought their children to evening clinics than to day clinics (20%). The evening clinics were particularly convenient to mothers either in employment or at college. The evening sessions were found to be quieter and quicker, but not hurried, and conducive to discussing more personal problems. Over 50% of attendances were solely to have the child weighed and to discuss the child's weight gain and feeding. Occasionally parents discussed other problems like contraception and postnatal gynaecological difficulties. The health visitor was as important as the medical officer to the success of the evening child health clinic. The evening clinic was acceptable to parents with small children and provided a needed and convenient service to mothers in employment or at college.
Developmental assessment: 18 months to 4½ years. The miniature toys test
Authors: EGAN D. F. , BROWN E. R.
Published: April 2006

Summary
A modified version of the miniature toys test, originally designed by Sheridan (1975), has been standardized on a sample of 425 children in the age range 18 months to 4½: years. The distinctive features are the assessment of symbolic play and the understanding of prepositions when used in verbal instructions. The acquisition of expressive verbal labels for miniature household objects and transport, and comprehension of questions relating to them have been explored. Responses in some of these areas are not always clear‐cut or are ambiguous. The test will be more suited to the needs of the developmental paediatrician for assessment of children with developmental delay, than for doctors of primary care and health visitors in screening apparently healthy children.
Weaning practices in a sample of working class primiparae
Authors: McINTOSH J.
Published: April 2006

Summary
The weaning practices of a sample of 65 working class mothers are described. In the majority of cases solid food was introduced relatively early, usually as a problem‐solving device. The practice of early weaning gave rise to a great deal of conflict between the mothers and their professional advisers and frequently resulted in serious contamination of the professional‐client relationship. Current professional policy and practice in relation to weaning are questioned and certain recommendations discussed.
Knowledge and opinions of speech therapy in teachers, doctors and nurses
Authors: LESSER RUTH , HASSIP SARAH
Published: April 2006

Summary
Three types of professionals who were potential referers to the speech therapy service were questioned about their knowledge and opinions of speech therapy. The responses of qualified teachers, doctors and health visitors were compared with those of students at or near to the beginning of vocational training for these professions. The responses of practising and intending speech therapists were used as a baseline. Between 70% and 100% questionnaires were returned for each group, and a random sample of 33 from each (total 264) was analysed. The answers showed that teachers were the least well informed about many aspects of speech therapy, including the nature and location of the work and the range of disorders for which such therapy is available. In view of recent recommendations that teachers should cooperate with other professionals in working with those children with special needs who are now being educated in mainstream schools, there would seem to be a strong need for teacher training to include more information about speech therapy.
Clumsy children—a review of recent research
Authors: HULME CHARLES , LORD RICHARD
Published: April 2006

Summary
Clumsy children have severe problems in developing adequate skills of movement in the absence of general sensory and intellectual impairments and without showing signs of overt neurological damage. Descriptive studies indicate a variety of characteristics which are typical of these children including difficulties with feeding and dressing, poor drawing and writing skills, and lower performance than verbal IQ. Studies which explore the underlying functional impairments in these children are reviewed, with an emphasis on the methodological problems inherent in demonstrating causal influences. It is concluded that attempts to relate clumsiness to impairments of visual and kinaesthetic perception, although as yet inconclusive, are worthy of further study.
Living with chronic renal failure
Authors: REYNOLDS J. M. , GARRALDA M. E. , JAMESON R. A. , POSTLETHWAITE R. J.
Published: April 2006

Summary
We describe our impressions gained in the process of systematic interviewing of children with chronic renal failure. In spite of improved techniques of medical treatment in recent years, many of these children and their families remain under considerable strain. This is caused by anxieties about the child's general prospects for the future, problems in accepting the illness and treatment, particularly with a late onset of the condition, and multiple hospital admissions with occasional life‐threatening incidents. In spite of their less serious nature, chronic features such as poor growth and urinary incontinence seem to be particularly worrying for many children and their parents. We feel that it is worth considering how to improve the supports for these families, helping parents to be more aware of community facilities that are available, and striving to improve communication between the different agencies (hospital, general practitioners, schools, etc.) involved.
Competent kids: children and adolescents with a chronic illness
Authors: PERRIN ELLEN C. , RAMSEY BARBARA K. , ANDLER HOWARD M. S
Published: April 2006

Summary
The social and personal competence of children and adolescents with a seizure disorder or an orthopaedic condition was assessed by parents and teachers. The contributions to these assessments of characteristics of the child, the intensity of the illness, and the child's temperament were explored using a hierarchical regression model. Parents and teachers rated all children as functioning fairly well. Children with a seizure disorder were perceived as significantly less competent than were their healthy peers (P < 0.05). Across health status groups, children received higher competence scores from their parents than they did from their teachers (P < 0.05). Competence scores did not differ according to the age of the child. The patterns of variables that predicted ratings of competence differed according to illness type and rater. Indicators of illness intensity explained a larger share of the variance in competence ratings for children with a seizure disorder (25%) than for children with an orthopaedic condition (5%). For children in this latter group, temperament explained a much larger proportion of the variance in both parents' (29%) and teachers' (42%) ratings of competence than did the illness intensity variables.
The toy library service at Honeylands Family Support Unit: an assessment
Authors: RUB SHIRA
Published: April 2006

Summary
Toy libraries have become a favoured way of providing a service to families in which there is a mentally handicapped child. The purpose of this study was to gain information about how parents valued the service provided by the toy library at Honeylands Family Support Unit. Parents expressed a great deal of satisfaction with the service. Suggestions are made as to how it could be further improved and about the desirability of it being extended to school‐aged children.
The mid‐arm circumference in healthy eastern Nigerian children. A nutritional‐clinical anthropometric parameter
Authors: OGUNRANTI J. O.
Published: April 2006

Summary
The mid‐arm circumference in 900 healthy Nigerian children drawn from the eastern part of the country was studied in a cross‐sectional fashion from age 2 years to 10 years. The subjects were obtained from schools and maternity centres and the figures were derived from the right arm for the 3rd, 50th, 90th and 97th centiles of these growing children. Graphs were then plotted for the centiles and the means of the male group and the female group. The values were compared with those obtained in other countries and the WHO modified Wolanski's standards. Values were also compared with the height of these growing children and a valuable read‐off graph correlating the two parameters plotted. The importance of the MAC in mass survey nutritional campaigns is discussed. The technique of the Shakir strip is upheld and a demarking range method of obtaining normal range values for children above 5 years is suggested as an alternative to the useful Quakir stick technique.
The hospital inpatient stay: the experience of first‐time parents
Authors: MOSS PETER , BOLLAND GILL , FOXMAN RUTH , OWEN CHARLIE
Published: April 2006

Summary
The experience of hospital inpatient stays at childbirth was studied in a longitudinal study of the experiences of 96 first‐time parents during the transition to parenthood. For women, the prospect of birth was a major worry during pregnancy. Negative expectations proved in general to be justified by events, with many women reporting predominantly bad memories of the experience. Satisfaction with the hospital inpatient stay is also considered: a major source of dissatisfaction was inadequate help with breast feeding, which produced many difficulties. Middle class mothers were in general more dissatisfied with their hospital stay, as were women who had Caesarean births. Relationships were found between antenatal class attendences and the likelihood of a normal delivery and reported pain during childbirth. The role and experience of fathers was also considered. Most expected to be at the birth from an early stage in pregnancy; more than two‐thirds were present for the delivery and half or more at the labour. Their experience at this time was more positive than that of their partners. But during the hospital stay, this role was much more marginal. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for antenatal preparation, breast feeding and paternal involvement.
Pet care during preadolescence: developmental considerations
Authors: DAVIS JANET HAGGERTY
Published: April 2006

Summary
This exploratory study investigated pet care in relation to psychosocial development during preadolescence. A group of male and female preadolescents (n= 22) at appropriate grade level for age completed a dog care responsibility inventory. The results revealed that preadolescents in general do not routinely care for pets. Mothers appear to assume most pet care tasks.
A 2‐year follow‐up study of children with motor coordination problems identified at school entry age
Authors: ROUSSOUNIS S. H. , GAUSSEN T. H. , STRATTON P.
Published: April 2006

Summary
Children attending primary schools in Leeds were tested soon after school entry with the Standardized Motor Test Battery (SMTB), specifically designed for this study and comprising: finger tapping, peg moving, bead threading, standing on one leg, hopping and walking. Norms of motor performance are provided for each test. Seventeen children failed the SMTB and were designated to the clumsy group and then matched for age and sex with a control group of children from the survey. Observations by parents and teachers rated the clumsy children inferior to their controls in writing, sporting ability and clumsiness. The clumsy children and their controls were then followed up for a minimum of 2 years, when educational performance was assessed and motor performance reassessed. The clumsy children were found to have impaired educational attainment, particularly in writing, compared to their controls, and their motor performance although much improved was still very inferior to controls. The findings of this study suggest that the SMTB is a sensitive test for the early identification of clumsy children.
Postnatal classes on prevention of sleeplessness in young children
Authors: HEWITT KEVIN , GALBRAITH LAURA
Published: April 2006

Summary
Parents of young babies attended evening classes on prevention of sleeping problems in pre‐school children. The aim was to test the consumer‐appeal of this preventative approach. Content focused on individual behavioural differences in babies as well as adaptation of parenting strategies to avoid some of the common pitfalls in the management of sleep‐related behaviours. Parents' views were obtained and were favourable. Results are discussed in terms of the timing and format of similar prevention programmes.
Resolving behaviour problems in preschool children: evaluation of a workshop for health visitors
Authors: HEWITT KEVIN , CRAWFORD WENDY
Published: April 2006

Summary
Workshops on helping parents resolve behaviour problems in their preschool child were provided for all health visitors from one health district in Bristol, UK. An emphasis was placed upon engaging the parents as behaviour change agents, whilst providing a constructional approach to the treatment of this type of problem. The course was evaluated 3 months later. Results are discussed in terms of usefulness of course content as perceived by the health visitors, reported alterations to their health visiting practice and implications for future liaison between clinical psychologists and health visitors.
A behaviour management and life stress course for a group of mothers incorporating training for health visitors
Authors: SCAIFE JOYCE , FRITH JOAN
Published: April 2006

Summary
Six mothers of preschool children presenting behaviour problems attended a 10‐week course on behaviour management and life stress run jointly by a clinical psychologist and a family health visitor. Results indicated benefits to the family in terms of changes in childrens behaviour, the development of friendship networks, and increased knowledge of and willingness to apply behavioural principles to current and potential child management problems. Treatment in groups required fewer professional hours per family than an equivalent individual service and served a training function for the family health visitor.
Grading severity of childhood disablement: comparing survey measures with a paediatrician's assessment
Authors: HIRST MICHAEL , COOKE KENNETH
Published: April 2006

Summary
This study investigates the relationship between a paediatrician's assessment of the overall severity of disablement in a sample of 10‐year‐old children and the survey data on which this assessment was based. An attempt was made to identify disabilities or combinations of disabilities which were good predictors of the paediatrician's assessment. It was possible to do this with some success with children assessed as severely disabled but it was much more difficult to do so where the degree of disablement was assessed as mild or moderate. The implications of these findings for the assessment of children with disabilities which are less than severe are discussed.
The social skill difficulties of young adults with physical disabilities
Authors: THOMAS ANDREW P. , BAX MARTIN C. O. , SMYTH DIANE P. L.
Published: April 2006

Summary
Adolescence is generally considered to be a time of increased social activity and the rapid expansion of a teenager's social circle. By contrast, a young person with a physical disability is likely to lack social independence, become socially isolated and experience difficulties in maintaining social relationships. The present study indicates that while both able‐bodied and physically disabled young people experience difficulties in social situations, those with physical disabilities experience difficulties that are more severe in nature. Overall, 75% of the disabled group and 70% of the comparison group experienced difficulties in social situations. However, 37% of the disabled group experienced difficulties that were severe in nature compared to only 3% of the comparison group. Whilst these problems are of sufficient magnitude to warrant intervention, programmes of social skills training for people with physical disabilities are not yet generally available. It is recommended that training programmes in social skills should be made available to teenagers with physical disabilities.
Parents' perceptions regarding the discipline of their hearing‐impaired children
Authors: ADAMS JOHN WILLIAM , TIDWELL ROMERIA
Published: April 2006

Summary
Perceptions that parents have of their hearing‐impaired children's misbehaviour, the techniques used in handling these behaviours, and the perceptions of success the parents experience in controlling such actions are examined in this study. One hundred and thirty‐four parents with hearing‐impaired children responded to a self‐report questionnaire eliciting the following information: family background, perceptions of their children's misbehaviours, techniques used in dealing with their children's misbehaviour, perceived success of corrective techniques used, and their beliefs concerning the use of disciplinary techniques. Findings indicate that successful parents (those who perceived themselves as ‘successful’ in handling their hearing‐impaired children's misbehaviour) differed from the unsuccessful parents (those who perceived themselves as ‘unsuccessful’ in handling their hearing‐impaired children's misbehaviour) in two important ways. One was in the way parental groups perceived the incidence of misbehaviour in their children, that is, successful parents reported a significantly lower incidence of misbehaviour than did unsuccessful parents. The second difference involved the types of disciplinary techniques practised to control misbehaviour, that is, successful parents most often chose a technique involving ‘discussion with explanation’, while unsuccessful parents most often employed techniques involving ‘scolding’.
Concepts of death, illness and isolation found in children with leukaemia
Authors: CLUNIES‐ROSS CAROLINE , LANSDOWN RICHARD
Published: April 2006

Summary
In 1985 Lansdown and Benjamin published a study on the development of the concept of death in healthy children. The study reported here uses the same methodology but reports on the concepts of death of 21 children with leukaemia between 4 and 9 years of age. The leukaemia children's conceptual development was not overall significantly different from that of the healthy children although there were some differences in content. Two further areas were studied. The first was children's ideas about the causes of illness, in which the widely postulated notion of immanent justice was not found to be common. The second was an analysis of drawings of children's families which suggested that sick children perceive themselves to be isolated in hospital.
Childhood dysgraphia. Part 2. A study of hand function
Authors: O'HARE A.E. , BROWN J. K.
Published: April 2006

Summary Sixty‐six children were studied who had presented to the paediatric neurology service over a 2‐year period, because they were failing to make the expected progress in mainstream school. Their parents were interviewed with a structured questionnaire and the children had a full neurodevelopmental examination which included a detailed assessment of hand function. Thirty‐nine per cent of the children had a specific dysgraphia and there was a male predominance. The different populations of affected children had distinguishing characteristics. A family history of written language skill difficulties was elicited for most of the children with a developmental spelling dysgraphia, but it was uncommon in the children with an acquired spelling dysgraphia or motor dysgraphia. Slow speech development occurred frequently in developmental and acquired spelling dysgraphic children. Mixed handedness was significantly commoner in dysgraphic children who had acquired problems (P < 0·05), whereas handedness in the developmental groups was within the expected normal distribution. Aspects of hand function such as power of hand grip did not distinguish the dysgraphic children. However, children with a spelling or motor dysgraphia had speeds of motor performance on successive finger movements and rapid hand pats outwith the normal range. These simple tests are a useful way of examining pertinent handskill difficulties in dysgraphic children.
Observations on child with cerebral palsy and her twin sister made in an intergrated nursery and at home
Authors: MARTLEW MARGATET
Published: April 2006

Summary Observations were made on two twins attending the same integrated nursery. One of the children had cerebral palsy while her sister developed normally. Similar observations were also made in the twins’ home while they played with their mother. Comparisons were made between the behaviour and experience of the two children in the nursery and also between the home and the nursery. The child with cerebral palsy was non‐ambulant and her interactions in the nursery were limited in both quality and quantity compared with her sister and with opportunities presented at home. Despite this both children enjoyed attending the nursery. It is proposed that integration needs to have structured and monitored support for ensuring that children with special needs benefit from mainstream education.
Patterns of referral for children with speech disorders
Authors: EDWARDS MARGARET , CAPE JULIE , FOREMAN DENNY , BROWN DARREL
Published: April 2006

Summary This paper presents information about a sample of 200 children aged 3–6 years in four Health Authorities. They were referred routinely for speech therapy. Age of referral, distribution within the family, sex and sources of referral are indicated and discussed.
The preschool medical: an evaluation of this examination and its role in child health surveillance
Authors: JONES CYNTHIA , BATCHELOR LESLEY , GORDON NEIL , WEST MARGARET
Published: April 2006

Summary Records of 244 preschool medicals were studied retrospectively. The value of the examination to the children, their parents and teachers, and the use of clinical medical officer time was considered. Fifty‐seven per cent had previously undetected problems deemed to require follow‐up. This number was subsequently corrected to 50% in the light of current practice. Fourteen per cent warranted referral to other professionals and 4·5% received treatment. The high number of vision defects noted suggests further study. Fifteen per cent of the parents wished to discuss concerns about their children with the clinical medical officer. Clinical medical officer practice varied, but showed the incidence of follow‐up to be inversely proportional to the referral rate. The number of previously undetected problems recorded in the survey supports medical examination of all children at this age. However, review of criteria and further study is indicated to make the best use of resources.
Health problems in children with Down's syndrome
Authors: TURNER STEPHEN , SLOPER PATRICIA , CUNNINGHAM CLIFF , KNUSSEN CHRISTINA
Published: April 2006

Summary The health problems of 117 children with Down's syndrome were identified through a questionnaire to their mothers, as part of a wider study of the process of adaptation among families in the Manchester Down's Syndrome Cohort. At the time of the present study, the children were all of school age: mean age 9 years 2 months, range 6 to 14 years. Results from the current study are compared with that from earlier studies involving these children. Vision and hearing problems and respiratory infections were identified as the most common health problems, affecting a large percentage of the children. While a high proportion had been hospitalized and had undergone operations, the proportion of children who had missed more than 4 weeks of schooling in the previous 12 months was not high compared to the general child population. Equally, the numbers who had suffered accidents did not appear unduly high. Poor child health was found to be associated with a higher level of behaviour problems and increasing maternal stress over time. The need for health screening to continue during this period of childhood is identified.
Crying, feeding and sleeping patterns in 1 to 12‐month‐old infants
Authors: MICHELSSON KATARINA , RINNE ARTO , PAAJANEN SONJA
Published: April 2006

Summary The crying, feeding and sleeping patterns of 270 infants 0–12 months old were studied using a 24‐hour schedule included in a questionnaire given to mothers visiting four well‐baby clinics in Finland in 1987–88. Of these infants 78 were under3, 84 were 3–5, 65 were 6–8 and 43 were over 9 months old. The results showed that the infants less than 3 months old slept on average 15–2 hours per day, whereas those over 9 months slept 13–4 hours. The sleeping periods were longer at night. Continuous night‐time sleep for at least 6 hours was noted in 35% of the infants under 3 months old and the proportion increased to 72% by the age of 9–12 months. The youngest infants were fed on average 6–7 times per day at 2‐ to 3‐hour intervals in the daytime and at 4‐ to 6‐hour intervals at night. The number of feedings decreased slightly with age. The average total crying time decreased from 1–6 hours per day for the youngest group to M hours for the 9–12 months old. At the time of the study, 23 mothers felt the need for help because of excessive crying or night waking. The help needed ranged from information about colic and child care, help with housework or the baby and encouragement. Of the mothers who needed help, a significantly higher proportion had a first‐born baby compared with those not in need of help. There were also significant differences in the mothers’ perception of the cry and feelings towards it.
Perinatal information on infant crying
Authors: DOWNEY J. , BIDDER R.T.
Published: April 2006

Summary Research and postnatal service developments have begun to draw attention to the frequency with which mothers encounter difficulties in the management of infant crying. Such difficulties may have unfavourable long–term consequences for the mother–infant relationship. This study investigated the effect of providing first–time mothers with information and advice specific to cry management, during the in–stay period. A sample of 70 mothers was recruited antenatally and subjects allocated to an intervention or non–intervention group. All mothers were asked to complete a range of measures at 2 days postpartum and again 1 month after birth. A post–intervention comparison of groups indicated interesting evidence of a selective intervention effect. Results indicated that certain mothers in the nonintervention group were significantly more likely than intervention group mothers to experience higher levels of negative emotional arousal in response to crying. They were also more likely to adopt a passive response strategy to infant crying and to report generally higher levels of present state anxiety. The significance of the findings is discussed.
Cross‐cultural differences in developmental rates: a comparison between British and Brazilian children
Authors: VICTORA MAGDA DAMIANI , VICTORA CESAR GOMES , BARROS FERNANDO C.
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe Griffiths Mental Development Scales were administered to a population‐based sample of 305 4‐year‐old children from a Brazilian city. Their performance was compared to that of 285 British children of the same age who participated in the standardization phase of this instrument. Although the mean general quotients were very similar for both groups, British children performed better than Brazilians in the fine motor and practical reasoning scales. Brazilians, on the other hand, proved to be more advanced in gross motor and speech scales. The possibility of these differences being explained in terms of cultural environment is discussed.
Working alongside the general practitioner: a child psychiatric clinic in the general practice setting
Authors: SUBOTSKY FIONA , BROWN RACHEL M. A.
Published: April 2006

Summary A monthly child psychiatric clinic was established in a primary health care centre in order to offer a more accessible service to patients, and to improve liaison with primary health care professionals. Compared with the base child guidance unit, at the health centre there was a better first attendance rate, a much higher proportion of referrals from health professionals especially general practitioners, and an increased proportion of younger children referred. If further follow‐up was necessary at the child guidance unit the attendance rate was very good. The service provided, although not reducing the need for a main multidisciplinary base, offered an acceptable and accessible opportunity for children with psychological problems to be assessed and treated, and for the referring professionals to have easy communication with the child psychiatrist.
Child psychiatry and the paediatrician in training
Authors: WHITEHOUSE WILLIAM
Published: April 2006

Summary The author draws on his own experience to support the view that some practical experience and training in child psychiatry is an effective way for the paediatrician in training to gain understanding of that specialty. It is also an efficient way to acquire certain perspectives and skills which will be helpful in the future, either in hospital or community paediatrics.
Communicating an evolutionary diagnosis of disability to parents
Authors: COTTRELL D. J. , SUMMERS K.
Published: April 2006

SummaryCommunicating a diagnosis of disability to parents, when the diagnosis and prognosis are unclear, is problematic. This is discussed in the light of information received from mothers of such children who attended a counselling and support group. It is concluded that dissatisfaction with diagnosis is not inevitable, if similar guidelines to those suggested for children with Down's syndrome are used. It is essential that parents are involved in management and feel they have something practical to do to help their children. Clinics must organize themselves to avoid swamping parents with information and to provide regular ongoing support.
The incidence of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies among live births from health visitor records
Authors: WHILE ALISON E.
Published: April 2006

Summary A survey of health visitor records has indicated that approximately one‐third of pregnancies resulting in live births are unplanned. The data further revealed an association between planning of pregnancies and socio‐demographic variables and use of preventive health care for infants.
The development of a hypnotherapy service for children
Authors: SOKEL BEVERLY , LANSDOWN RICHARD , KENT ALIXE
Published: April 2006

Summary In September 1988, a Pain and Symptom Management Team was set up to offer hypnotherapy as part of the treatment of pain, discomfort and anxiety. Children are taught self‐hypnotherapy skills. Of the first 51 cases referred, 36 were taken on for hypnotherapy and after two to three sessions 29 were rated as improved or much improved. An account is given of the approach of the team and of some of the possible pitfalls.
An assessment of the cognitive abilities of multiply handicapped children: adaptations of the Uzgiris and Hunt scales and their use with children in Britain and Singapore
Authors: SHARPE PAMELA
Published: April 2006

Summary Educational achievement is measured by many forms of assessment. The assessment of some children, and disabled children, has elicited much concern and debate. In particular, problems have arisen with test design, construction, administration and recording. In the West, legislation and public opinion have drawn attention to the need to provide more suitable measuring instruments. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the use of an adapted assessment procedure for monitoring educational achievement and progress. A study is discussed where the major aim is to use situations which are both stimulating and which most closely resembled the children's natural settings, in order to elicit communication and language skills. The study is being carried out in Singapore with a group of multiply handicapped children. The adaptations to the administration of the test enable the examiner to note the behaviour as it occurs rather than look for expected behaviours. It is possible then to record behaviours at a later stage. The results of the study show that it is possible to elicit the required responses from a group of children who are diagnosed as multiply handicapped and whose competencies are difficult to assess. In the original research in Britain, with a large group of multiply handicapped children, there was evidence of reliability, validity and ordinality in the children's responses. Analysis of these children's scores showed patterns of responses inconsistent with a popular view of development. This paper describes the Singapore study and the original study upon which it is based.
Outcome of 100 randomly positioned children of very low birthweight at 2 years
Authors: AEBI ULRICH , NIELSEN JACQUELINE , SIDIROPOULOS DIMITRIS , STUCKI MARKUS
Published: April 2006

Summary Prematurely born children often show a tendency to adopt extensor motor patterns during the first years of life. These children and especially those children of very low birthweight are considered to be at high risk for abnormal development. Positioning in an ordinary manner or in a more flexed position imposed at random during the neonatal period until discharge from hospital did not have a statistically significant influence on the development of these children at 24 months after term. Analysis of the optimality score of the 100 randomly selected children, born consecutively at the University Women's Hospital, Bern, showed a significant influence of prenatal optimality and congenital malformations on their later outcome.
Developmental trends in children's pretend play
Authors: LYYTINEN PAULA
Published: April 2006

Summary The developmental trends in pretend play were investigated in children 2–6 years of age (18 in each of five age groups) by examining changes in pretend action and speech separately. Play behaviour was assessed by using a selected set of Duplo Lego toys. Interest focused on occurrence of decentration, decontextualization and integration at different age levels. The proportions of decentred and decontextualized acts, action integrations and play themes, increased linearly with age. Changes in substitutive and inventive actions were, however, more minor than expected. Single‐scheme combinations did not reveal any essential aspect of the development of children's symbolic competence. In this sense, multischeme combinations were more important in revealing the children's way of organizing toy material. Linear age trends were not found for language measures. The use of decentred utterances, language integrations and linguistically expressed themes were individual‐specific rather than age‐related. Issues for studying pretend play In language‐impaired groups are also suggested.
Models of parent partnership and child development centres
Authors: APPLETON PETER L. , MINCHOM PHILIP E.
Published: April 2006

Summary Four models (and an emergent fifth model) of parent partnership are described and their relevance to UK child development centres is explored. Clinical, management and service development issues are drawn out.
Early patterns of interaction between blind infants and their sighted mothers
Authors: PREISLER GUNILLA M.
Published: April 2006

Summary In a longitudinal, descriptive study of blind infant—sighted mother interaction during the age period 3 to 12 months, 10 infants, seven blind and three severely visually impaired, were video‐recorded in natural interactional settings with their parents. The objective was to describe which communicative expressions the infants, as well as their mothers use in interaction and how they respond to each others’communications. Detailed analyses of the infants’and mothers’communicative behaviours were carried out. The blind infants exhibited a variety of communicative expressions in interaction with their mothers; they took an active part in proto‐conversations and dialogues with their mothers. The blind infants had difficulties in sharing their opinions about objects with their mothers during the age period studied. Comparisons between the blind and the severely visually impaired infants showed that even very low vision improves the infant's opportunities to take part in interpersonal communication and to share meanings. The results are discussed in relation to Trevarthen's view of the infant having an innate motive for intersubjectivity — for communication — and Stern's theory of the development of the self.
The identification and treatment of motor/learning difficulties: parents’perceptions and the role of the therapist
Authors: STEPHENSON ELIZABETH , McKAY CHRISTINA , CHESSON ROSEMARY
Published: April 2006

Summary The diagnostic experience of 31 children, assessed as having motor/learning difficulties, attending an occupational therapy department within a children's hospital, was investigated. The study demonstrates the difficulty of specific identification of perceptuomotor problems. Close examination of the children's individual diagnostic pathways revealed a high number of health‐care professional contacts and the fact t t frequently there were lengthy gaps between parental (and sometimes professional) suspicions and final confirmation. The children's diagnostic experiences prior to starting treatment were varied and involved, and no one single route was predominant. The rationale for occupational‐therapy assessment and treatment of this disorder is described, and parental perceptions of its effect are discussed. The findings suggest that an important part of therapeutic intervention may be increasing children's self‐confidence and reducing intra and extra family tensions. Fewer behavioural problems were reported once treatment had commenced. It was concluded that an important part of the therapist's role was to provide information and support for parents and to liaise with school teachers, in addition to treating the children themselves.
Pica and iron‐deficiency anaemia
Authors: ARBITER E. A. , BLACK DORA
Published: April 2006

Summary In two cases of children with pica referred to a child psychiatrist, both were found to have undiagnosed iron‐deficiency anaemia. Treatment with iron supplements and dietary advice led to decrease or cessation of pica.
The abuse of disabled children: a review of the literature
Authors: WESTCOTT HELEN
Published: April 2006

Summary Literature concerning the abuse of disabled children is examined with a view to elucidating why it is that this problem has not received full attention from professionals to date. Two contributing factors emerge: the limits of studies that have been conducted and the failure of society to address the needs of disabled children. It is concluded that disabled children are at increased risk of abuse, and that new policy and research initiatives are required in this area.
Mothers' perceptions of parenting a child with spina bifida
Authors: HAVERMANS TRUDY , EISER CHRISTINE
Published: April 2006

Summary Mothers of 19 children (mean age = 8·8 years) with spina bifida were interviewed about medical and psychological services available, school placement and restrictions experienced by their children in school and social activities. Mothers also rated their own confidence to care for the child, perceived social support and difficulties experienced by the family. In addition, a measure of the child's disability status was derived. Mothers whose child scored higher in terms of disability reported greater everyday difficulties. In addition, mothers’confidence was related to perceived social support. Mothers reported regular use of medical services but little reliance on specialized nursing or psychological services.
Abnormal clumsiness in children: a defect of motor programming?
Authors: SMYTH T. RAYMOND
Published: April 2006

SummaryAbnormal clumsiness in otherwise normal children has often been associated with both perceptual and motor defects, but the cause of this problem remains unclear. This study investigated the ability of clumsy children to programme movement and to use feedback, in both the visual and kinaesthetic modalities, for movement control. Clumsy and normal children performed simple and complex movements with vision either available, or precluded. The reaction time of the clumsy children was found to be longer than that of the normal children and the movement time for the complex, but not the simple response, was found to be longer for the clumsy group. These findings were interpreted as suggesting that clumsy children experience difficulty with the programming of movement and that, as a result, they depend more heavily on feedback for movement control than do normal children.
Two hundred school injuries presenting to an accident and emergency department
Authors: FOTHERGILL N. J. , HASHEMI K.
Published: April 2006

Summary Two hundred children who had been injured at school and sought hospital treatment were studied. Younger children tended to be brought to the Accident and Emergency Department later after the injuries than the older children, and one in seven of those under 15 years attended alone or without a legally acceptable guardian. Sixteen per cent of the 204 injuries were fractures, of which 70% were to the upper limbs, and 18% facial. Eighteen per cent of the injuries were lacerations requiring sutures. Younger children sustained proportionately more lacerations and fewer minor injuries such as bruises, abrasions and sprains than older children. Over half of the injuries occurred in patients’free time at school, which had been unsupervised in 51% of cases.
A preschool child psychiatric service: referral patterns and service uptake
Authors: BEER ROSEMARY
Published: April 2006

Summary A study of referrals to a preschool child psychiatric service found that, although the commonest problem behaviours were similar to those found in community surveys of under‐five‐year‐olds, the levels of child disturbance, maternal mood disorder and atypical family structure were much higher than in the community. It therefore seemed that the service was being used appropriately to seek help for families with multiple, severe and/or persistent problems. A quarter of the sample failed to attend the initial appointment, of whom over a third refused home assessment. There were no clear differences between those attending or failing to attend for assessment, but some suggestion of lower symptom levels in the latter.
Assessing and diagnosing developmental disorders that are not evident at birth: parental evaluations of intake procedures
Authors: PIPER ELIZABETH , HOWLIN PATRICIA
Published: April 2006

Summary
Studies of parental satisfaction with the way in which diagnostic information is imparted have generally focused on conditions that are evident from birth. Diagnostic disclosure for disorders in which the onset is later, and less readily identifiable, has received less attention. The present study investigated parents' views of diagnostic procedures for children whose developmental delays only became apparent as they grew older. The degree of satisfaction was related to the type of diagnosis given but 2 weeks after the assessment 87% of parents described themselves as being very or fairly satisfied. However, levels of satisfaction were lower at a later follow‐up than they had been initially. Moreover, several specific aspects of the assessment fell short of the ideal model and parents offered a number of practical and cost‐effective suggestions as to how these could be remedied. These ranged from ways in which pre‐assessment procedures could be made more useful, how diagnostic information should be presented and how the physical setting could be improved.
Diagnosing the ‘strange’ child
Authors: PORTER BASIL , GOLDSTEIN ESTHER , GALIL AHARON , CAREL CYNTHIA
Published: April 2006

Summary
The diagnosis of children with a spectrum of autistic features, who do not qualify for the diagnosis of classical autism, has increased during the past decade. A case is reported of an 8‐year‐old child originally diagnosed as learning disabled with attention disorders and hyperactivity, who was later diagnosed as having an autistic spectrum disorder when abnormalities of social interaction and play activity became more obvious. The frequency of learning and attention problems in school‐age children may obscure more significant psychiatric pathologies, such as autistic disorders. Improved awareness of disorders of social functioning and play activity in the school‐age child and use of screening tools may lead to earlier detection, definitive diagnosis and treatment for these children. In addition, assessments from multiple sources, i.e. the school, the home and the clinic, are needed in the diagnostic process. Periodic re‐evaluations of the school‐age child with problem behaviour are necessary to insure that more significant pathologies, which were not clear on initial evaluation, are diagnosed at the earliest opportunity.
Everyday and medical life choices: decision‐making among 8‐ to 15‐year‐old school students
Authors: ALDERSON PRISCILLA
Published: April 2006

Summary
How much do young patients expect to be involved in medical decisions affecting them? We are investigating this question during interviews with 8‐ to 15‐year‐olds having orthopaedic surgery. Many youngsters taking part in our research project on consent to surgery are more than usually dependent on their parents. We wondered how their views would compare with those of their peers at school. This paper reports a schools survey carried out as a background to the research with young people in hospital. Students in seven schools answered questionnaires on choices about late‐night television viewing, new friends, timing homework, seeing their family doctor and consenting to surgery. They were asked about agreement with their parents, how they negotiate disagreement, and when they think they were/will be old enough to make everyday and medical decisions without their parents' help.
Nightmares, life events and behaviour problems in preschool children
Authors: HAWKINS C. , WILLIAMS T. I.
Published: April 2006

Summary
A postal survey was carried out to identify nursery school children with frequent nightmares in an English city. Of the 22 children reported as suffering from frequent nightmares, 14 came from families who were willing to be interviewed further. A control group with no nightmares, matched for age and sex, was selected from the returns. The mothers of the children in the two groups were interviewed using the Preschool Behaviour Checklist and a life events scale. The results showed that neither life events nor behaviour problems were more prevalent in the frequent nightmares group.
The school entry medical examination. What do teachers think of it?
Authors: JONES CYNTHIA , GORDON NEIL
Published: April 2006

Summary
Questionnaires were sent to 76 schools in the Macclesfield district. Seventy‐four of these were returned by head teachers and/or reception teachers. Replies concerned the school entry medical examination, information on individual children, general health information and access to professionals. Additional comments on any aspects of the service were also solicited. The results have been analysed. The majority of teachers considered that the school entry medical examination is of value, but the quality of information reaching teachers is viewed more critically. Meetings were the most favoured means of communication, but there are obvious defects in the system. Some teachers did not even know of access channels. If improvements do not occur some of the value of the examination will be lost. Suggestions for better communications are made. With local management of schools, teacher opinion must be considered if a better school health service is to be provided for the children of the district.