Developmental disabilities in children- Findings from focus group discussion in Southern India

Abstract

Background: This study was done in order to understand common perceptions of developmental disabilities which would be important to prioritise educational, financial and infrastructural facilities to the community. Methods: This focus group discussion, conducted in southern part of India involving four distinct categories of people in the community, identified speech delay and speech disarticulation as the major developmental disabilities in children. Results: Interestingly, the groups themselves struggled with lack of understanding of common developmental disabilities, their causes, management and various preventive strategies available for disabled children among the groups. Conclusion: Further education of health care professionals in identifying and accessing support network to manage these children with special needs a proactive approach including incorporation of training in the medical and nursing curriculum.