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A child’s emotional and social development can be deeply affected by physical disabilities such as spina bifida. To keep this development on as “normal” a track as possible, these children should be part of the mainstream whenever possible.

• Most of these children can be educated in mainstream schools. They should be evaluated for learning disorders, which can (and must, by federal law) be addressed by the public school system.
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• Children should be in the least restrictive environment possible. They should learn skills that help them be as independent as possible.
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• They should be encouraged to participate with their peers in age-appropriate activities such as clubs and teams to the best of their abilities.
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• Children should take on responsibility for their own care as much as possible.
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• After childhood, group homes may be used to train patients with spina bifida to live independently.