Mother-Child Relationships in Rehabilitation of the Physically Disabled

1. The mother-child relationship may constitute an obstacle to the effective rehabilitation of the disabled younger group. This relationship has to be seen as a dynamic one, involving the body image of the mother as well as that of the child.

2. A casework diagnostic decision regarding whom to attempt to refer—mother, child, or both—which includes psychiatric and psychological evaluation is frequently essential in assisting the social worker with this problem.

3. Following the patient's discharge, the need for continuing a casework contact after a lapse of a few months appears to be a decisive factor in some cases for eventual successful referral of the younger group.

Proper handling of referrals, by the caseworker's understanding of the above factors, can mean success or failure in the rehabilitation of the young disabled person. It is equally important that physicians and other disciplines in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, as well as social workers, recognize and assist in paving the way for proper referrals.