Psychosocial assessment of the handicapped

Assessment of the child with a handicap is in a state of flux due to new constraints regarding the use of tests which label and shunt children into restrictive environments. The process of identifying and assessing youngsters is a time-consuming and costly process, particulary when what we call "standard practices" are employed. The present flux may, in fact, permit a careful re-evaluation of the role of individualized assessment resulting in positive changes. The trend of the future suggests a shift to a more comprehensive framework for assessment, one that takes into account the behavior of the environment and its influences upon the individual. Assessors will have to be trained to understand and use these methods, particularly as they contribute to the development of educationally relevant data and more appropriate educational programs for handicapped youngsters. Health workers have an important role to play in this shift, for many of them will recognize that, because of economic and practical constraints, a public health orientation may be important and necessary as we seek to provide a free, publicly supported education to all handicapped children and youth.