[Screening of preschool children. A multidisciplinary assessment of the development and rehabilitation needs]

Observation of preschool children (SBO) consists of multidisciplinary assessment of whether a child aged 0-7 years is developmentally retarded and requires special training. For this observation, the children are admitted as day patients and, in the course of four days, the motor, mental, linguistic and social developments are assessed and sight and hearing are assessed. A few days after this observation, a conference is held and the result of assessment is discussed and the necessary measures to be instituted considered. During the years, 1987-1988, a total of 47 children were admitted for observation on account of suspected retarded development. Twenty-one of the children were found to be generally psychomotorically handicapped and of these 16 children were, mentally retarded. Three children suffered from benign hypotonia. Seventeen children were dysphatic and eight of these had also hypotonia. Six children had behaviour difficulties. The measures recommended are reviewed. Where 42 of the children were concerned, these were instituted with benefit to the child and his family.