Medical examination of children referred for special education

P. W. Heymann, F. T. Saulsbury, R. W. Kesler and G. A. Nowacek

The results of medical examinations of 184 children referred for special educational services were reviewed, with particular attention paid to the value of the examination in the detection of abnormalities that would have an adverse educational impact and of previously undiagnosed abnormalities. Seventeen students (9%) were found to have educationally important abnormalities previously unknown to the school. Fifteen students had abnormalities detected through screening tests. The two remaining students had abnormalities apparent on physical examination that conceivably could interfere with physical education but should not hinder academic achievement. Thus, a separate physical examination, apart from those recommended for all children by the American Academy of Pediatrics, may not be productive for children referred for special educational services, but screening tests currently available in many schools are more likely to be beneficial.