The expertise for social rights for children and the unique expertise system for children with handicaps, developmental disabilities, rare and chronic diseases in croatia

Abstract

Objective: The Methodology of Expertise and Measuring Disability as the unique expertise system for children with handicaps, developmental disabilities, rare and chronic diseases was implemented in Croatia on January 2015. The List for measuring functionality is applied for social rights for children and an interdisciplinary approach is applicable in Councils of experts in the 1st or 2nd degree of expertise. This unique methodology of determining disability is implemented by only one expertise institution instead of six as it was before. Methods: Data of 344 children, aged one to 21 years, were retrospectively elaborated, analysing diagnoses, functional impairments and disabilities. Results: Between 344 children (55% girls and 45% boys), 47% of children had less than 7 years of age and 53% were between 7 and 21 years. Diagnoses in 51% were congenital disorders, in 2 % developmental disorders, in 9% solid tumours and haematological malignancies, in 4% sense disorder, in 6% mental disorder, 2% pervasive disorder and 26 % of acquired diseases. Severe disabilities were found in 15% of children, moderate in 71%, in 6% disabilities had a slight and in 8% there was no impact to functioning. After expertise 59% of children received personal disability allowance, 10% child allowance, 10% status of a parent caregiver, 14% maternity and childbirth allowance, 7% allowance for assistance and care. Conclusion: Analyses of the second degree of expertises showed a great utility and efficacy of this unique methodology in Croatia to help children with functional impairments and disabilities. Collaboration was good among people working in the health, education and social service sectors. More effort must be done to obtain more precise medical and social data necessary for expertise that is more appropriate.