22 chapter 4
Observation of the child can begin from the first moment the health worker or
rehabilitation worker sees the child and her family. It can begin in the waiting area of a
village center, the home, or the street, and should continue through the history—taking,
examination, and follow-up visits. Therefore, we do not discuss ‘observation’ separately,
but include it with these other areas.
It is usually best to ask questions BEFORE beginning to examine the child—so that
we have a better idea what to look for. Therefore, we will discuss history-taking and then
examination. But first a word about keeping records.
RECORD KEEPING
For a village rehabilitation worker who helps many children, writing notes or records can
be important for following their progress. Also, parents of a disabled child may find that
keeping simple records gives them a better sense of how their child is doing.
Six sample RECORD
SHEETS are on pages 37 to
41, 50, 292, and 293. You
can use these as a guide
for getting and recording
basic information. But you
will want to follow with
more detailed questions and
examination, depending on
what you find.
Sample RECORD SHEETS
included in this book
RECORD SHEET
number
page
Child history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . 37 and 38
Physical examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 .
39
Tests of nervous system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 .
40
Factors affecting child development . . . . . . . . . . 4 .
41
Evaluation of progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 .
50
Child development chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . 292 and 293
Sheets 1 and 2 will be useful for most disabled children. Sheets 3, 4, and 6 are for
children who may have brain damage or seem slow for their age. Sheet 5 is a simple form
for evaluating the progress of children 5 years old or older.
HISTORY TAKING
On pages 37 and 38 you will find a record sheet for taking a child’s history. You can
use it as a guide for the kinds of questions it is important to ask. (Of course, some
of the questions will apply more to some children than others, so ask only where the
information might be helpful.)
When asking questions, we rehabilitation workers must always remember that parents
and family are the only real ‘experts’ on their child. They know what she can and cannot
do, what she likes and does not like, in what ways she manages well, and where she has
difficulties.
However, sometimes part of the parents’ knowledge is hidden. They may not have
put all the pieces of knowledge together to form a clear picture of the child’s needs and
possibilities. The suggestions in this chapter, and the questions on the RECORD SHEETS,
may help both rehabilitation workers and parents to form a clearer picture of their child’s
needs and possibilities.
Rehabilitation workers and parents can work
together to figure out the child’s needs.
Disabled village Children