Background: Youth living with disabilities are at risk of experiencing poor health outcomes. Coordinated school health programs have an opportunity to help youth with disabilities and their families through health education, health services, and community engagement. The World Health Organization developed the International Classification of…

Background: Evidence suggests a rise in childhood disability rates across the United States with males and those with lower socioeconomic status bearing greater burden. We investigated childhood disability rates in the Mississippi Delta (MDR) and Appalachian regions (AR) in comparison to other parts of the country. Methods: Using data from the US…

Background: We examined racial/ethnic disparities in school-based behavioral health service use for children with psychiatric disorders. Methods: Medicaid claims data were used to compare the behavioral healthcare service use of 23,601 children aged 5-17 years by psychiatric disorder (autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD],…

Background: Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) tend to miss more school because of illness. Medical homes are a model of primary health care that coordinate services to better meet the needs of the child. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between presence of medical home and missed school days among CSHCN.…

Background: Emotional/behavioral difficulties and mental health (MH) service contacts of 3 groups of youth were compared: students in special education for non-MH problems, students in special education for MH problems, and youth not in special education. Methods: Parents reported the characteristics, special education placement,…

This article describes the methods of a multidisciplinary team of seven health and therapy specialists in meeting teaching and learning difficulties. The programs focus was on helping teachers develop new ways of teaching rather than on the children's handicaps. (Author)

This article discusses the relationship of child abuse, including neglect and sexual abuse, to the presence of handicapping conditions, both physical and psychological. Recommendations for school personnel to become aware of and to alleviate abuse are offered. (Author/MT)

The basic components of PL 94-142, which provides for free, appropriate education for all children, regardless of handicapping condition, are summarized and the resulting responsibilities and opportunities for school nurses are outlined. (JMF)

Indochinese children registering for the first time in American schools are appearing with multiple health problems. These frequently include lice and scabies, intestinal parasites, vision and hearing defects, and severe dental decay. (JN)

The "Tatro" decision, which affirmed the need for school health services and distinguished between medical and school health services for handicapped students, is discussed in terms of what services can be included--and expected--as part of a handicapped child's public education, particularly within the individualized education plan. (CB)

Objectives for a continuing education program for school nurses include: acquiring knowledge of various handicapping conditions; assessing the health status of handicapped, mainstreamed children; providing consultation to teachers; and coordinating nursing care plans that involve the family, school, and community. (JN)

A model self-care nursing plan which helps school children with handicaps participate in their own health maintenance and, in the process, become more reliant in self-care is described. The pilot program outlined trains school nurse practitioners to staff a clinic to assist handicapped children identify and achieve appropriate self-care goals.…

Surveys of directors of special education, Medicaid, and public health departments in all 50 states examined the financing arrangements covering health-related services for students with special health care needs in the schools. Results indicated that schools tapped traditional health resources to supplement educational dollars in paying for…

Injury represents the leading cause of death and disability for US children and adolescents. Almost 16 million children are evaluated for injury each year in the United States. Although childhood injury rates are decreasing, 70% of all deaths among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years are injury related. Nonfatal injury is the leading cause…

Today's school health services are made complex by multiple laws and regulatory bodies. Three fundamental movements are revealed by an examination of decades of legislative actions: concern over basic health care, the special needs of the handicapped, and the involvement of many specialized disciplines. (JD)