The document discusses the care of physically and mentally challenged children, defining conditions like impairment, disability, and handicap, along with their causes, prevention strategies, management approaches, and the importance of early diagnosis. It highlights the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, including medical and rehabilitation services, and emphasizes the role of legislation and support in facilitating rehabilitation. Mental retardation is also addressed, detailing its characteristics, signs, and the impact on cognitive and adaptive functioning.

1. Care of physically
and mentally
challenged

2. •INTRODUCTION
•Handicapped child is one who deviates
from normal health status either
physically, mentally or socially and requires
special care, treatment and education

3. • DEFINITION
• According to WHO, the sequence of events leading to
disability and handicapped conditions are as follows:
Injury or disease- Impairment- Disability- Handicap.
• Impairment
• It is defined as any loss or abnormality of psychological,
physiological or anatomical structure or function. Eg: loss
of vision, hearing.

4. • Disability
It develops as the consequence of impairment. Eg: loss of limbs result in
inability to walk. Disability is the inability to carry out certain activities
which are considered as normal for the age and sex.
• Handicap
It develops as the consequence of the disability. It is defined as a
disadvantage for a given individual resulting from an impairment or a
disability, that limits and prevents the fulfilment of a role which is normal
for that individual, depending on age, sex, social and cultural factors.

5. Types of physically
handicapped people
• Orthopedically
handicapped
• Sensory handicapped
• Neurologically
handicapped
• Handicapped due to any
disease condition
• Multiple physically
handicapped children
Causes:
• congenital anomalies,
• genetic disorders,
• poliomyelitis, other
communicable diseases,
• perinatal conditions, ,
• infection, malnutrition,
• accidental injury,
• socio- cultural factors

6. Prevention of Handicapped
Conditions in Young Children

7. Primary Prevention
Genetic Counselling
Educate couples about the optimum maternal age and the aspects of genetic and
chromosomal problems. Encourage genetic screening for at-risk individuals to prevent
inherited diseases like Down's syndrome and haemophilia. Promote health awareness to
reduce consanguineous marriages.
Immunization & Nutrition
Enhance universal immunization coverage, emphasizing poliomyelitis and MMR. Improve
maternal and child nutritional status, especially for future mothers, to prevent iodine and
folic acid deficiencies. Ensure essential care during periconceptional, perinatal, and
neonatal periods.
Preventive Measures
Avoid teratogenic agents during pregnancy. Focus on improving health
awareness about preventive measures for handicapped conditions in
children, addressing malnutrition, accidental injuries, etc.
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8. Management of Handicapped Children
Early Diagnosis & Treatment
Emphasize early detection
through thorough history,
physical examinations, and
necessary investigations by
MCH or school health
services. This aids in
identifying and treating
handicapped conditions
effectively.
Multi-disciplinary
Approach
Promote a multi-disciplinary
approach involving medical
and surgical management,
correction of deformities,
physiotherapy, occupational
therapy, speech therapy, and
counseling. Provide special
care and referral for required
services.
Disability Limitation
Focus on disability
limitation and
rehabilitation to
safeguard against or
halt the progression of
the disease process,
thereby minimizing the
impact of handicapping
conditions.

9. Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children
Medical Rehabilitation
Include measures such as the restoration of functions by prosthesis
and artificial limbs for physical restoration post-handicapped
conditions.
Social & Vocational Rehabilitation
Enable social integration and vocational rehabilitation
through specialized training, educational facilities, and
community participation. Focus on psychological
rehabilitation to restore personal dignity and
confidence.
Legislation & Support Services
Address restoration of family and social relationships, educational support,
livelihood opportunities, and independent living. Highlight the important role of
legislation and support services in the rehabilitation process. Photos provided by Unsplash

10. Nursing Management of Handicapped Children
Nursing Assessment & Diagnosis
Include detailed history,
physical and neurological
examination, assessment of
family coping, socioeconomic
status, and available support
facilities. Formulate nursing
diagnoses related to ineffective
family coping, altered nutrition,
potential for infection, and
more.
Nursing Interventions
Guide and assist parents and
family members for home-
based or hospital-based care.
Create awareness in society
about prevention of handicaps
and the potential abilities in
handicapped children.

11. • Mental retardation:
• Mentally challenged is now used for the condition of
mental retardation. At least 2 3 - percent of Indian
population are mentally handicapped in any one form.
• Definition
• Mental Retardation is a generalized disorder, characterized
by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits
in adaptive behaviors with onset before the age of 18.

12. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• Impaired developmental milestones.
• Deficiencies in cognitive functioning.
• Reduced ability to learn or to meet academic demands.
• Expressive or receptive language problems.
• Psychomotor skill deficits.
• Difficulty performing self-care activities.
• Neurologic impairment
• Medical problems such as seizures
• Low self-esteem, depression and labile moods
• Irritability when frustrated or upset
• Acting-out behavior
• Lack of curiosity

13. Thank you