The integration of spina bifida children--are their needs being met?

After eleven years of vigorously promoting integration, the majority of Sheffield Children's Hospital spina bifida patients are now successfully integrated. A parallel study in Greater Manchester confirmed that parents, teachers and the spina bifida children are overwhelmingly in favour of integration. A large number of children were transferred from special to ordinary schools, and very few had to be transferred back to segregated schooling. The parents found substantial social and educational advantages in integration, together with good levels of involvement with their child's education. The most important areas in need of greater funding were considered to be: non-teaching support for toiletting, visiting specialists, particularly physiotherapists, and in-service education of teachers.