title: Social interactions at school of children who are medically fragile and developmentally delayed.
abstract: The social interactions (n = 576) of 11 children who were medically fragile and developmentally delayed (MF/DD) were analyzed. Children interacted with a range of 5-23 people (M = 13.82) during the course of a school day, averaging 52 social encounters (range, 27-75). Most interactions (83.5%) were with adults and often occurred while the adults were providing care and teaching. Only 4.2% of social encounters were initiated solely for play, and 7.2% included play with another activity. Network members initiated most interactions, and 60% were reciprocal. Children who are MF/DD require assistance and support to play and interact with other children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Health Care Nursing, University of California at San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA 94131, USA. roberta.rehm@nursing.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Roberta S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rehm
authors.forename: Joan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support; D012951:Socialization; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires