Research and practice with congenital amputees: making the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

This paper highlights the need for methodologically sound research on the motor, cognitive and psychosocial development of children with congenital limb deficiencies and the integration of findings in these three areas. Such topics have received little attention in the literature and systematic attempts to apply developmental theory to the assessment, fitting, training and evaluation of these children seldom have been made. A number of important current issues in research and practice are critically reviewed including optimal age for fitting, training procedures, prosthesis usage, cognitive deficits and vulnerability to psychosocial problems. Recommendations for the adoption of a more holistic approach to research and practice with amputee children are presented and the need to develop strategies for systematic evaluation and follow up is emphasized.