REPPSI (2013): Discussion paper on Psychosocial Support for Children with Disability and their Carers

Overview:

Children with disabilities are at increased risk of experiencing psychosocial problems over children with no disabilities. Despite this, children with disabilities are often not included in psychosocial programmes because of (organisational) negligence, (negative) attitudes and stigma. However, children with disabilities have the right to psychological, emotional and spiritual support and to social integration. REPSSI has adopted a mainstreaming approach in order to maximise the number of children and youth that are reached with psychosocial support services. In 2013 REPSSI commissioned this paper to investigate the needs of children with disabilities with regards to psychosocial support in order to inform an appropriate approach for and inclusion of children with disabilities in their programmes.

Objectives:

To develop a discussion paper on psychosocial care and support for children with disability in the context of HIV in Africa.