12 percent of Turkey's population has disabilities" (December 3rd International Day of Disabled Persons)
According to the World Health Organization's calculation it is estimated that 12 percent of Turkey's population is disabled. Pediatrician Dr. Cem Koray Fırat stated that this meant that there are 3 million children with disabilities or special needs in Turkey.
Pediatrician Dr. Cem Koray Fırat, who made statements within the scope of International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3rd, said that the care and health of children with special needs still demands special attention, and that "The development level of a society is determined by reintegrating these children into society. According to the World Health Organization's calculation it is estimated that 12 percent of Turkey's population is disabled. This determines that there are 3 million children with disabilities or special needs in Turkey.
Stating that the problem should be determined early by the physician and then graded in detail, Dr. Fırat said, "The family should be informed in detail about the diagnosis and additional problems of the child. While the child's condition and needs are being conveyed, the family may go through some stages of mental depression; however, it should be kept in mind that families who are in the process of accepting the situation can cooperate with health personnel. Therefore, it is very important to provide psychological support to families and to bring the situation to the point of acceptance. Genetic counseling is also necessary to prevent the family from having children with similar problems.
HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE PROVIDED BOTH IN THE HOSPITAL AND SOCIETY
Dr. Cem Koray Fırat emphasized that the family and social environment should be evaluated in terms of the potential opportunities and difficulties related to the education of the child with special needs and continued as follows:
At this point, social services specialists should step in and provide social support to the family. In order to treat the curable aspects of the problem and to prevent permanent disability; general practitioner, pediatrician, developmental neurologist, psychologist, physiotherapist, social worker and trainer should be available if possible. In society, care for children with special needs should be based on the approach 'See what they can do, not what they cannot do'. Children with special needs should be cared for both in the hospital and in the community.
SCHOOLING RATE OF DISABLED AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IS 2 PERCENT
Explaining that the education of children with special needs is very important in order for them to live their own lives, Dr. Cem Koray Fırat stated, "In our country, only 2 percent of children with special needs go to school. Although there are private schools for the disabled, the modern education approach foresees that children with special needs should be raised at schools providing normal education. Thus, it seeks to ensure that these children adjust to life in the early period and that the society embraces them. Children with special needs should be informed about disability rights in society during their specific education.
Underlining that the most important thing that restricts disabled people throughout their lives is the environment that does not meet their needs, Dr. Fırat stated, "Children with special needs should be surrounded by compassion, interest and understanding by their families, social environment and society. Like every child whose care, education and social needs have been met, they should be able to look to the future with hope ".
