Assessment of developmental abnormalities

Assessment of developmental abnormalities in daycare centers and schools

Explanation:

We offer consultations and examinations for children with developmental abnormalities and disabilities. In cooperation with the treating pediatricians, as well as therapists, educators, and teachers, we assess developmental abnormalities and/or disabilities and may recommend further diagnostics and/or therapeutic measures. (Public Health Service Act of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (§ 12 ÖGDG NRW))

Disability (SGB IX §2)

People are classified as disabled if their physical function, mental ability, or emotional health is likely to deviate from the typical condition for their age for more than six months, and if their participation in society is therefore impaired. They are at risk of disability if the impairment is expected. (SGB IX §2)

Entitled persons and tasks

Persons who are disabled or at risk of disability can receive integration assistance services.
Integration assistance is a support service designed to make life easier for disabled individuals.

• It aims to help prevent a disability

• It aims to help eliminate or alleviate a disability

• It aims to help eliminate or alleviate the consequences of a disability

• It aims to help individuals with disabilities participate in community life

Integration assistance services

Integration assistance services include, for example, assistance for appropriate school education.
Integration assistance can, for instance, be applied for by the daycare center provider at the district social welfare office. An application can be submitted for children who are disabled for longer than 6 months. This applies to physical, emotional, or intellectual disabilities.
However, an application can also be submitted for children who are disabled for less than 6 months. The social welfare office then decides whether assistance will be granted or not.
The child and youth medical service will then be commissioned by the social welfare office to assess whether a child is at risk of disability or is disabled.
Children are then granted a so-called "Integration Status" if they are disabled or at risk of disability. Furthermore, depending on the disability or severity, there is the possibility to, for example, apply for individual case support for kindergarten.

This applies to children up to school enrollment. After school enrollment, the type of disability determines which authority is responsible. In the case of an emotional disability, youth welfare is responsible according to §35a SGB VIII . For the assessment, a statement from a child and adolescent psychiatrist is usually required. In the case of a physical or intellectual disability (IQ <70) or multiple disabilities, responsibility remains with social welfare.

During school age, in addition to special educational support (see below), it is possible to apply for a school companion for the child.

Further information on this topic can be found here:

• Counseling services of the district for people with disabilities

• Severely Disabled ID Card
  
  

Special Education Support (SchulG §19)

Students who require special support due to a disability or because of a learning or developmental disorder are provided with special educational support based on their individual needs. (SchulG §19)

Special Educational Support (AO-SF §13)

If a child requires special educational support at school, the school supervisory authority can initiate a school medical examination through the health department. The results of the school medical examination are then included in the special educational report. During the examination, the physical developmental status and general health-related performance are evaluated, including hearing and vision abilities. Furthermore, impairments and disabilities are assessed from a medical perspective. (AO-SF §13)

Intensive Educational Support for Severe Disabilities (AO-SF §15)

If a student's need for special educational support due to their disability exceeds the usual level, the children are examined by the health department, and the school supervisory authority decides on intensive educational support.  (AO-SF §15)

Special educational support can be applied for by or through the school at the school authority.

Examination Procedure

Depending on the occasion, the examination appointment takes place at the daycare center, school, or health department. Please make sure to pay attention to the location where the examination is to be conducted.

Depending on your child's age and abilities, a hearing and vision test will be conducted. The children will be measured and weighed. Sometimes a physical examination of the child is performed. A detailed discussion about your child's illnesses and problems will take place. Family and living circumstances, pregnancy and birth, early childhood and preschool development, school development, as well as the development of problems, additional burdens, and resources are important. Often, a playful examination of your child's motor, language, and cognitive skills is carried out or an observation is made. For issues in the social-emotional area, the examination often takes place in a group, i.e., at the kindergarten or school.