PEDIATRICS Vol. 73 No. 4 April 1984, pp. 563-564
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by HEALY, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by HEALY, A.

Treatment of Disabled Infants

ALFRED HEALY MD1

1 Departments of Pediatrics and Special Education, University of Iowa, Iowa City

Formal "statements of understanding" can serve several purposes. The process of writing such statements helps clarify issues and offers opportunities to resolve areas of conflict existing between the involved parties. The signing itself serves a symbolic function, announcing that previous areas of disagreement have been resolved and accord has been achieved. The statement, "Principles of Treatment of Disabled Infants," recently written and approved by nine professional associations and voluntary organizations,1 has served these varied punposes.

However, the value of such statements in accomplishing change is dependent upon the status as well as the integrity of the signatories. Fortunately, the individuals and organizations involved with this statement possess both the status to assist substantially in accomplishing its tenets, and the integrity to use this and future opportunities to influence the care and treatment of infants with disabilities.