Emotional factors in physically handicapped children.

The staff of the Reiss-Davis Clinic for Child Guidance has been concerned with the emotional factors in physically handicapped or chronically ill children. It is felt by the staff that work with these children must include not only the known procedures to improve or correct their physical condition, but also efforts directed toward preventing or removing any evidence of emotional or psychological crippling. The symbolic or unconscious meaning of the disability is of great importance in this work. Attitudes of the parents may seriously interfere with the handicapped child's ability to develop his maximum level of functioning and adjustment. Individual and group psychotherapy was found of value in helping these parents.