ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a multidisciplinary assessment system established to decide on appropriate therapeutic intervention for each disabled child. The aim of the child development clinic is to make a comprehensive assessment of treatment needs of disabled children in participation with their families. The child development team served a deprived Inner London borough with a substantial Bangladeshi population. A meeting of the multidisciplinary team following the play/assessment session reaches agreement about a recommended treatment plan, which would be discussed at a subsequent meeting between parents and the paediatrician. Physiotherapists in the borough were required to do the course and proved to be ‘really keen, usually using their training with their own families to improve their physiotherapy.’ Course participants endorsed by their managers, committed themselves to course attendance followed by working with one or two families as a parent adviser/counsellor. The title ‘parent adviser’ suggests expertise in practical help and advocacy, rather than in counselling and understanding.
