Anthropological studies of the disabled in Hungary

The number of disabled school children in Hungary is about 30-40 thousand per annum. This statistic is too high to be ignored. We are still collating the results of anthropological research on the disabled which has been completed or is still in progress in Hungary. Some of these studies also concern the subjects’ physique. Comparing the results with earlier studies, the secular trend can be shown but only in the non-institutionalised groups. A longitudinal growth study of mentally retarded children has been in progress since 1974. At the end of their participation in the study the children have their physical abilities examined, with regard to their rehabilitation requirements.There is a cross sectional examination of children with learning disabilities focussing on visual acuity including colour vision, hearing loss, posture and laterality. All these studies are intended to increase the level of knowledge of professionals engaged in special education, and so to develop the expertise of special needs teachers. So, most importantly, we hope to serve the interests of our children in need. Acta Biol Szeged 44(1-4):167-173 (2000)