| Abstrakt: |
France has a long-standing policy of free education for all citizens. In the past, however, the model for delivery of service to the handicapped was specialized institutional programs. Rapid changes have taken place in the last two decades in health and medical care, social programs, and education. Early intervention now begins with the compulsory screening of all infants at birth, nine months, and at two years. Problems remain, especially in the availability of adequate support and of services for the handicapped child. The approach to these is the organization and training of interdisciplinary teams which operate from "early medico-social activity centers" and whose aim is to provide a variety of treatments, educational programs, and support to the family by working within the home and the natural environment. Current emphases include augmented research, as well as modified training for all specialists involved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
