Health systems for disabled fragmented

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Children with disabilities and their parents face numerous hurdles in navigating complex public service systems, two U.S. authors said.

Researchers Laudan Y. Aron and Pamela J. Loprest detail in their book "Meeting the Needs of Children with Disabilities," that programs and government systems tend to think narrowly about the specific area of need they focus on, while these children's and families' needs are broad,

The authors point out children with disabilities are not a homogeneous group but they are more likely than other children to live in poverty, live with only one parent, have parents who are in poor health or unemployed. For example, special education services are often less effective if a child lacks needed medical services or is hungry.

"The fragmentation of the current child disability service system makes it difficult for families to understand what benefits are available, how to access them, and how to piece together supports that best match their children's needs," the authors said in a statement.