Developmental differences in understanding the causes, controllability and chronicity of disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
The present study explored typically developing children's (n = 77) understanding of the causes, controllability and chronicity of disabilities.


METHODS
Children in each of four age groups (4-5 years, 6-7 years, 9-10 years and 11-12 years) were interviewed to explore their ideas about children with physical disabilities (minor: missing thumb; major: wheel-chair bound), sensory disabilities (blindness and hearing loss), learning disabilities (non-specific and Down syndrome) and emotional/behavioural difficulties (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and lack of social skills).


RESULTS
Significant age differences were found in children's understandings of the causes, controllability and chronicity of disabilities. Furthermore, children showed a greater understanding of salient disabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings are discussed in terms of developmental changes and the role of experience in shaping children's understanding of disabilities.
Smith
L A
LA
School of Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Lesley.Smith@education.ed.ac.uk
Williams
J M
JM
D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007600:Judgment; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D011593:Psychology, Social