title: Specialized family care for children with developmental disabilities: the Finnish experience.
abstract: This article describes features of Finland's specialized family care for children with disabilities, including professionalization and training of foster parents and the establishment of municipal employee-like status for them, long-term placements, and the preservation of relationships with biological families whenever possible. A case example of a 12-year-old child with mental retardation and autistic disorder who is in specialized care is included.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Evaluaton Center, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Szymanski
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Seppala
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005387:Finland; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D012931:Social Environment