Very little work has been done to look closely at the development of sexuality in children with severe physical handicaps. This issue being of importance to our patients can no longer be ignored by health professionals. Parents and teenagers with readily apparent physical disabilities were surveyed. The survey is not meant as a conclusive study of the situation at hand, but as a first step in identifying some issues and to stimulate interest among health professionals about this important aspect of development. Questions were directed towards gathering initial information on the development of attitudes towards sexuality. Parents and teenagers had identical questions so that correlations might be identified. Criteria and results are discussed.
*Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfeld, MA 01104
