Disability around the world

Abstract

Disability studies in childhood have found prevalence figures ranging from 1.1 to 56.7 per 1000 children, which can be seen as variations in definitions used and populations studied [1]. Studies, for example, from Israel in the 1980s found a disability rate of 8.9% among 2–3 year olds and 17.5 % among 7 year olds [1]. Another study conducted in Israel during 1995–1998 found a total disability rate of 12.8%, but 3.6% had a handicap not affecting the functioning of the child, 0.8% had a temporary problem and 0.7% only received treatment periodically, leaving a total of 7.7% with a chronic disability [1].