Causes Of Disabilities In Children

Currently, disabilities in children and young people are at a prevalence rate of 6% and this tends to increase with age (Whiting, 2014). Causes of disability can result from various situations and factors both before and after a child is born. Before birth, if an expectant mother suffers physical harm, nutritional deficiency or is exposed to a serious disease or infection then the unborn child in the womb is likely to be affected leading to mental and even physical disability (Newacheck and Halfon, 2000). During birth, delivery difficulties may temporarily stop/interfere with oxygen supply to the brain as the process damages the spinal cord leading to permanent mental disability (Whiting, 2014); after birth, improper after birth care can also

Child and young person centred provision is a concept that emphasises child participation and inclusion in matters that touch on their welfare (McNeish and Newman, 2002). It also emphasises taking into account the user’s perception of services offered to them, and the user’s view of the adjustments that need to be made on services so as to meet the best interest of the child (Broadhurst et al., 2010). By including young persons and children with disability in any decisions affecting their welfare, carers and service providers are better placed to understand them, engage with them, and share pertinent information (Kirby et al., 2003). Consequently, the government has come up with five ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes that need to be met by child centred provision. These include: being healthy, enjoying and achieving, staying safe, achieving economic well-being and making a positive contribution (Kirby et al., 2003). As stipulated in Every Child Matters, these are the parameters to be used to assess the strengths and abilities of any ongoing programmes and their abilities to meet the needs of children and the

These agencies and professionals collectively strive to ensure that vulnerable children and young persons, especially the disabled, receive appropriate life and work training. In the case of disabled children and young people this is partly achieved by sensitizing society through education, and by availing necessary facilities to help the disabled live a normal life (CITE). This includes rehabilitation centres and specialist schools, as well as training for carers. In this way, specialist agencies and professionals help disabled children and young persons' achieve life and work