[Promoting the development of handicapped children--possibilities and limits and responsibilities of the pediatrician].

The assessment of strategies to improve the development of handicapped children is difficult. Results of empirical investigations show marked differences with regard to the underlying handicap or developmental risk. The major impact of social conditions is beyond doubt, and within these conditions the coping process of the parents plays an important role. A survey of the literature is given. From this the pediatrician's tasks are derived: Early diagnosis of severe developmental disturbances; early and sympathetic information of the parents including a realistic estimate of given possibilities of help with special regard to social conditions, and an optimal support for the parents' coping process.