Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
09:13

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 22, 2015

Service needs of children with disabilities in Jamaica

M J Thorburn1, P Desai, T J Paul

  • 1Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.

International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. Internationale Zeitschrift Fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue Internationale De Recherches De Readaptation
|January 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

This study assessed Jamaican children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric health
  • Disability services
  • Public health in Jamaica

Background:

  • Assessing service needs for children with disabilities is crucial for effective intervention.
  • Jamaica faces challenges in meeting the healthcare and educational demands for its young population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the service needs of children aged 2-9 years in Clarendon, Jamaica.
  • To analyze the prevalence of various disabilities and recommended interventions.
  • To compare identified needs with existing service capacities.

Main Methods:

  • A two-stage survey involving medical and psychological assessments.
  • Parents reported on symptoms across six disability categories.
  • Data extrapolated to estimate needs for children under 15 in Jamaica.

Main Results:

  • 62% of disabled children required special education, 29.5% needed community-based services.
  • 21% required spectacles, 21% specialist referral, and 6% medical treatment.
  • A significant gap exists between identified needs and available services.

Conclusions:

  • The majority of service needs for disabled children in Jamaica are unmet.
  • Training health and education personnel in basic screening can expand community-based service provision.
  • There is a critical need to enhance existing services and develop new ones to meet the demand.

More Related Videos

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools11:29

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Published on: June 20, 2020

Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting06:16

Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting

Published on: June 6, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Continuing Care01:25

Continuing Care

Continuing care describes the variety of health, personal, and social services provided over a prolonged period. The need for continuing care is increasing because people are living longer. Many people do not have families or others to care for them. Continuing care is mainly for patients who are disabled, functionally dependent, or suffering from a terminal disease. It is available within institutional settings or in homes. Examples include nursing centers or facilities, assisted living,...
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I01:30

Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I

Specialized care settings or centers are situated in convenient locations within the community and offer care to a specific group or population. They consist of daycare facilities, mental health facilities, rural health facilities, educational institutions, industries, shelters for the homeless, and rehabilitation facilities.
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II01:30

Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II

Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
Learning Disabilities01:25

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...