Survey methods for the assessment of physical disability among children

Estimates of the prevalence of physical disablement are based on results of population surveys. In investigations of this kind questionnaires are employed directed at the limitations on activities, resulting from long-term health problems including difficulty or an inability to perform activities of daily living, such as walking, dressing, reading and talking. This approach, however, is less appropriate for children, because many inabilities in young age merely indicate normal developmental phenomena. Researchers in several countries have dealt with the problem of how to obtain proper data on disability among children. This article reviews these approaches and concludes that questionnaires should reflect the significant activities which are common for children. Relevant screening items for three age groups (0-2, 3-4 and 5-7 years) are outlined. They show that in screening for disablement with children relatively general indications of disability must be accepted.