Training future primary care pediatricians to serve handicapped children and their families. Topics in Early Childhood

A national program designed to promote the establishment of effective, mandatory, and comprehensive training at the residency level to prepare primary care pediatricians to serve handicapped children and their families is described. A structured curriculum designed for a clinical rotation in developmental pediatrics is presented in addition to a summary of the results of subjective and objective evaluations of the program. Evaluations clearly suggested the value of the program for both demonstration and replication sites. Follow-up of former residents new in pediatric practice futher supported the effectiveness of a rotation in developmental pediatrics based on a structured curriculum. Pediatricians play vital roles in the identification of handicapped children and as collaborators in the complex process of providing early intervention services (Fischler & Tancer, 1984; Howard, 1982). We are not referring here only to individuals specially trained in developmental pediatrics, that subspecialty of pediatrics devoted to children with chronic, central nervous system handicapping conditions focusing primarily on those with developmental disabilities (Thompson & O'Quinn, 1979). These experts in developmental pediatrics undergo extensive fellowship training following their pediatric residency and are often based in major medical centers providing tertiary care, conducting research, and training residents and related staff. Unfortunately, th