The role of psychiatry in a craniofacial team

The Frequency of Temporomandibular Disorders, Surgical Complications, and Self-Reported Mental Health Problems in Orthognathic Patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), surgical complications, and patient's self-reported mental health problems during orthognathic treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The clinical records of 145 patients treated with orthognathic treatment were retrospectively studied. Variables regarding occlusal parameters, treatment duration, TMD symptoms, complications, and self-reported mental health status at time points of T0 (beginning of the treatment), T1 (before surgery), and T2 (final examination) were evaluated. The variables were statistically compared with significance level of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 51% (n = 74) of the patients had TMD symptoms at 1 or several time points, women having significantly more TMD signs and symptoms (P = 0.002). Temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms decreased significantly after orthognathic treatment (P=0.001). At least 1 self-reported mental health-related factor during 1 or several time points (T0-T2) was recorded in 17.2% (n = 25) of the patients. There was no significant difference in frequency of self-reported mental health problems in patients with TMD signs and symptoms compared with patients without TMD signs and symptoms (P > 0.05). The frequency of postoperative complications was 39.3%, being significantly higher after Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteothomy (BSSO, 48.7%). There was no difference in treatment duration of patients with self-reported mental health problems compared with patients without (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study population, TMD signs and symptoms seem to be typical both in patients with or without self-reported mental health problems. Women had significantly more TMD symptoms. Orthognathic surgery treatment seems to have a positive effect on TMD signs and symptoms.

Identification and Recent Approaches for Evaluation, Operative Counseling, and Management in Patients With Freeman-Burian Syndrome: Principles for Global Treatment

For many, the experience of a complex craniofacial malformation condition, such as Freeman-Burian syndrome (FBS), formerly Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, is deeply distressing. There are few references in the literature addressing initial evaluation and operative counseling for FBS, and guidance is absent. Two major outcomes of FBS are explored, namely diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic result, to identify factors influencing optimal clinical care in (1) diagnosis, (2) evaluation, (3) general and craniofacial operative counseling, and (4) craniofacial management.PubMed searches have yielded 15 results describing craniofacial surgery in FBS and 29 manuscripts describing psychosocial aspects of surgery and patient and family counseling and education in other non-intellectually impairing craniofacial malformation conditions. Research in this area of scholarship is plagued by problems, especially considerable knowledge gaps and an absence of study data for operative outcomes. As a result, the literature remains unsettled, though our experience presents a much more clear picture of the clinical reality for this challenging patient population. While many challenges and limitations to treatment are present, much can be done to afford these patients a good and productive quality of life through operative intervention and longitudinal psychosocial support.

Exploring the Medical and Psychosocial Concerns of Adolescents and Young Adults With Craniofacial Microsomia: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the experiences of adolescents and young adults with craniofacial microsomia, including the impact of growing up with this craniofacial condition on daily life and sense of self. The results may guide future research on optimally supporting individuals with craniofacial microsomia during this critical life phase.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Participants were recruited through a craniofacial center, online patient support groups, and social media sites. Eleven individual semistructured interviews with participants between 12 and 22 years old were conducted by a single interviewer, transcribed, iteratively coded, and thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

Five themes were evident in the data: (1) impact on personal growth and character development, (2) negative psychosocial impact, (3) deciding to hide or reveal the condition, (4) desire to make personal surgical decisions, and (5) struggles with hearing loss.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified both medical and psychosocial concerns prevalent among adolescents with craniofacial microsomia. Although adolescents with craniofacial microsomia exhibit considerable resilience, the challenges they face impact their sense of self and should be addressed through psychosocial support and counseling. Further research should investigate the potential benefit of the wider use of hearing aids, as well as the involvement of patients in decision-making about reconstructive ear surgery.

Psychological Profile of Chinese with Cleft Lip and Palate Deformities

Objective:

To assess the psychological well-being of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP).

Patients/setting:

Ninety-four Chinese CLP subjects between 10 and 40 years of age were recruited from the Discipline of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, between June and December 2003. They were divided into two groups for comparison: adolescents (10–16 years old) and adults (17– 40 years old). A control group of 116 healthy non-CLP patients was also recruited during the same period.

Interventions:

All CLP and non-CLP patients were asked to complete a set of four questionnaires to assess their psychological status. The questionnaires included the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory, and the Chinese Miller Behavioral Style Scale.

Results:

Chinese CLP patients exhibited levels of subjective well-being and social anxiety that were similar to the published levels of a group of British CLP patients. They also had significantly lower general and social self-esteem but higher parental self-esteem than the non-CLP control group.

Conclusion:

CLP patients were generally satisfied with life and did not exhibit more social anxiety than the non-CLP control group. They also had a good relationship with their parents. Gender and educational level had no influence on their psychological profile. However, these CLP patients had lower self-esteem than non-CLP patients.

Development and validation of the quality-of-life adolescent cleft questionnaire in patients with cleft lip and palate

Only a few reports in the literature have described the use of specific instruments for assessing the quality of life in adolescents and young adults with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This condition markedly affects their lifestyle, even after surgical treatment. In the present study, we aimed to develop a quality-of-life assessment tool specifically designed for such patients with CLP. Our multidisciplinary team created a questionnaire focused on the physical, psychological, and social satisfaction of adolescents and young adults with CLP, which was adapted from 3 dimensions of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. The questionnaire was administered to a randomized sample of 40 adolescents and young adults (aged 16–24 years) with CLP who had completed treatment protocols and 40 (aged 16–24 years) who were not affected by CLP.

The statistical results stated that the questionnaire had good reliability and validity; the Cronbach α coefficient was found to be 0.944. Moreover, factorial analysis confirmed the presence of 3 subscales that were the fundamental components of this questionnaire, which is consistent with the areas theoretically proposed and from which the items were designed and selected.

Thus, we validated our novel questionnaire that was administered in the present study and proved its consistency. However, further investigations on a larger population would be useful to confirm these findings.

Perceptions and satisfaction of aesthetic outcome following secondary cleft rhinoplasty: evaluation by patients versus health professionals

OBJECTIVE

To explore how improvement in facial appearance is related to patients' perception and satisfaction following cleft rhinoplasty.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS

35 cleft rhinoplasty patients treated between 2005 and 2010. 45 observers comprised of healthcare professionals.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Evaluation of patient satisfaction including Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire, Preoperative and Postoperative Semi-quantitative Ordinal Scale Rating (PPSOSR) and a specifically designed semi-structured questionnaire. Evaluation by panel of observers using Asher-McDade Aesthetic Index (AMAI) Rating and PPSOSR.

RESULTS

Patient satisfaction was high, based on the ROE questionnaire (score 76.1). 91% of patients rated their appearance as improved, 3% remained 'uncertain' and 6% felt 'different but not improved.' Teenage females (score 94.1) showed statistically higher satisfaction, when compared to older females (score 75.5), or their male counterparts (score 69.8). The preoperative appearance ratings were not statistically different between patients and panel members but postoperatively, patients' rating of their appearance was statistically higher. All components of the AMAI were scored between 'good' to 'fair' (score 9.3). Seventy percent of the panel rated the postoperative appearance as improved. Interestingly, 10% rated the postoperative appearance as 'unchanged', while 3% reported a 'worsened' appearance. There was no correlation between panel assessment of aesthetic outcome and patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Cleft rhinoplasty contributes to subjective patient satisfaction as a result of their perceived improvement in appearance and function, even though this was not correlated to objective aesthetic rating by panel members.

Long-term assessment of facial features and functions needing more attention in treatment of Treacher Collins syndrome

AIM

This study aimed to determine which facial features and functions need more attention during surgical treatment of Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) in the long term.

METHOD

A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted to compare 23 TCS patients with 206 controls (all≥18 years) regarding satisfaction with their face. The adjusted Body Cathexis Scale was used to determine satisfaction with the appearance of the different facial features and functions. Desire for further treatment of these items was questioned. For each patient an overview was made of all facial operations performed, the affected facial features and the objective severity of the facial deformities.

RESULTS

Patients were least satisfied with the appearance of the ears, facial profile and eyelids and with the functions hearing and nasal patency (P<0.001). Residual deformity of the reconstructed facial areas remained a problem in mainly the orbital area. The desire for further treatment and dissatisfaction was high in the operated patients, predominantly for eyelid reconstructions. Another significant wish was for improvement of hearing.

CONCLUSION

In patients with TCS, functional deficits of the face are shown to be as important as the facial appearance. Particularly nasal patency and hearing are frequently impaired and require routine screening and treatment from intake onwards. Furthermore, correction of ear deformities and midface hypoplasia should be offered and performed more frequently. Residual deformity and dissatisfaction remains a problem, especially in reconstructed eyelids.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

Quantitative computer-based assessment of lip symmetry following cleft lip repair

Objective : To demonstrate an objective method of measuring lip symmetry after cleft lip repair by comparing patients with unilateral cleft lip (UCL) to non-cleft lip controls using the SymNose computer program. Design : Retrospective cohort study comparing several parameters of lip symmetry between UCL cases and controls. Participants were represented by digital photographs that were traced using SymNose. Setting : This study was performed at the South West Cleft Unit, Bristol, U.K. Participants : Forty-four participants aged 10 years (±1 year) were recruited into and completed the study. A consecutive case series of 22 patients with UCL ± palate had previously undergone primary repair. Twenty-two age-matched controls were recruited from a local primary school. Main Outcome Measures : Lip symmetry, expressed as the percentage mismatch of an overlaying of the left upper lip area and upper vermillion border area over the right, horizontal lip tilt, and lateral deviation of the lips. Results : A significant increase in labial asymmetry was seen in the UCL group in the following parameters: upper lip mismatch and upper vermillion border mismatch. No significant differences were observed in horizontal lip tilt or lateral lip deviation. Conclusion : This study supports the use of SymNose for the objective quantitative assessment of lip symmetry as an outcome measure of surgery following cleft lip repair. It allows comparison of surgical techniques and can be used to perform audits. It is a time-efficient process, relatively inexpensive, and straightforward to use.

Disease avoidance as a functional basis for stigmatization

Stigmatization is characterized by chronic social and physical avoidance of a person(s) by other people. Infectious disease may produce an apparently similar form of isolation-disease avoidance-but on symptom remission this often abates. We propose that many forms of stigmatization reflect the activation of this disease-avoidance system, which is prone to respond to visible signs and labels that connote disease, irrespective of their accuracy. A model of this system is presented, which includes an emotional component, whereby visible disease cues directly activate disgust and contamination, motivating avoidance, and a cognitive component, whereby disease labels bring to mind disease cues, indirectly activating disgust and contamination. The unique predictions of this model are then examined, notably that people who are stigmatized evoke disgust and are contaminating. That animals too show avoidance of diseased conspecifics, and that disease-related stigma targets are avoided in most cultures, also supports this evolutionary account. The more general implications of this approach are then examined, notably how it can be used to good (e.g. improving hygiene) or bad (e.g. racial vilification) ends, by yoking particular labels with cues that connote disease and disgust. This broadening of the model allows for stigmatization of groups with little apparent connection to disease.

Psychological issues in cleft lip and cleft palate

Vocational and social issues affect rehabilitation and development of patients with cleft lip and cleft palate. However, psychological problems like lowered self esteem and difficulties in social interaction have also been noted in them. Not many pediatric reconstructive surgery teams have a psychiatrist on their panel. It is likely that psychological problems are higher in incidence than literature actually suggests. Hence it is very essential that such cases are identified by the surgical team to maximize positive outcome of surgery and rehabilitation. This study discusses psychological issues revolving around cleft lip and cleft palate along with lacunae in many psychological research studies.

The Eurocleft study: intercenter study of treatment outcome in patients with complete cleft lip and palate. Part 4: relationship among treatment outcome, patient/parent satisfaction, and the burden of care

OBJECTIVE

To assess patient/parent satisfaction with the treatment they had received from their respective teams, and to explore interrelationships between satisfaction, objectively rated outcome, and the burden of care.

DESIGN

This study reports cross-sectional data as part of the overall longitudinal cohort study reported in the other four papers of this series.

SETTING

Multidisciplinary cleft services in Northern Europe.

SUBJECTS

127 consecutively treated 17-year-olds with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and their parents.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Patient/parent satisfaction.

RESULTS

Generally, there was a high level of patient/parent satisfaction. There were no relationships among satisfaction, objectively rated outcomes, and the amount of care.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights various challenges involved in questionnaire surveys into patient/parent satisfaction, and underlines the need for collective efforts to improve our understanding of this issue.

Effects of a Child With a Craniofacial Anomaly on Stability of the Parental Relationship

The purpose of this study was to determine rates of divorce in parents of children with various types of craniofacial anomalies and to analyze possible confounding factors. A 29-question survey was sent to parents of all children evaluated in the Craniofacial Centre between 1992 and 1997. Parents were questioned regarding pre- and postnatal marital stability, whether the child's facial anomaly contributed to divorce, and involvement in the child's welfare. Using deformational posterior plagiocephaly as a control group, rates of divorce vs. non-divorce were compared for craniofacial anomalies, categorized as asymmetric (hemifacial microsomia, unilateral coronal synostosis, cleft lip, cleft lip/palate) or symmetric (syndromic-craniosynostosis, orbital hypertelorism, Treacher Collins syndrome). Major anomalies (hemifacial microsomia, craniosynostosis, orbital hypertelorism, Treacher Collins syndrome) were also compared to minor anomalies (cleft lip, cleft lip/palate). Surveys were sent to both parents in 412 families; 403 surveys were returned; and the results were evaluated in 275 families (67%). Frequency analysis demonstrated an overall divorce rate of 6.8% and 4.9% separation. Anomalies associated with the highest rate of divorce were hemifacial microsomia (24.0%), syndromic craniosynostosis (12.2%), and cleft lip/palate (6.8%). 79% of non-divorced couples reported a strong prenatal relationship, whereas 59% of divorced couples reported a problematic relationship. Following birth of the affected child, 47% of non-divorced couples responded that the bonds became stronger and 41% of divorced couples thought the relationship worsened. Two-sided Fisher exact test comparing control vs. all other anomalies showed significance (p=.030) for rates of divorce. Separation of anomalies into asymmetric vs. symmetric and major vs. minor categories demonstrated no significant difference in divorce rate (p>.05). The mother was more likely to become a child's primary caregiver following estrangement.

Assessing adolescents and young girls for plastic surgical intervention: pre-surgical appearance ratings and appearance-related burdens as reported by adolescents and young adults, parents and surgeons

Currently available research on psychological aspects of plastic surgery offers little basis for clinical decision making in the plastic surgeon's assessment of adolescents and young adults applying for surgery. Therefore, the research aims were to study: first, how these adolescents and young adults estimate their appearance as compared to their parents and plastic surgeons to determine the reality of their own appearance perception; second, what appearance-related burdens they experience to determine the urgency of their request for surgery; and third, the surgeons' considerations for the operation. Data were obtained from 184 plastic surgical patients aged 12-22 years (71.2% girls), 172 of their parents and 37 surgeons from 16 hospitals in The Netherlands, using appearance rating scales and to surgeons and parents, and reported substantial appearance-related suffering. There was a moderate to large overlap between the adolescent- and parent-reported burdens. In their assessment, surgeons took psychological and social impediments into consideration. In conclusion, plastic surgeons may rightfully assume that adolescents and young adults have a realistic view of their appearance and that they suffer from significant appearance-related burdens. Parents prove to be an important additional source of information.

Psychological outcomes amongst cleft patients and their families

Our aims were to determine the psychological status of a sample of cleft lip and palate patients and their parents using standardised interviews and to assess subjects' satisfaction with cleft treatment. In all, 242 interviews of 112 patients and 130 parents were carried out in nine base hospitals used for cleft treatment. 73% (n = 38) of 15- and 20-year-old subjects felt their self-confidence had been very much affected as a result of their cleft. 60% of all 112 interviewed patients were teased about speech or cleft related features. A significant minority of 15-year-old subjects (23%, n = 7) felt excluded from treatment planning decisions. Despite high levels of overall satisfaction with cleft care, 60% (n = 78) of parents and 37% (n = 41) of interviewed patients made suggestions for improvements. No agreement between parent/child pairs for their satisfaction with clinical outcome of cleft related features was found using the weighted kappa statistic to determine the level of agreement. Differences between parents' and their child's satisfaction ratings for cleft related features were not statistically significant except for the ratings for 'lip' (P < 0.005) and 'teeth' (P < 0.05) for 15-year-old subjects (Wilcoxon signed rank sum test). Patients' views on planned treatment should therefore be independently sought from their parents' views, as no agreement was found within the groups for perceived satisfaction with clinical outcome. This study demonstrates the importance of identifying 'psychological outcome' as well as 'clinical outcome' in order to improve rehabilitation for cleft lip and palate patients. Seven families were referred for counselling for cleft-associated emotional problems as a result of this survey.

Psychosocial development of children with hemangiomas: home, school, health care collaboration

Hemangiomas are among the most common neoplasms of childhood and often found on the face, head, and neck. In a society that places great importance on physical appearance, sustaining a hemangioma can significantly influence the psychosocial development of children. The purpose of this article is to briefly discuss the etiology of hemangiomas and provide practical suggestions for educators, health care professionals, and parents to foster the psychosocial development of children with a hemangioma.

Behavioral adjustment and self-concept of young children with hemangiomas

This study was conducted to determine the behavioral responses and self-concepts of young children with self-limited but transiently disfiguring capillary hemangiomas involving the head and neck. Nineteen children with hemangiomas, age 3 to 5 years, and their parents were compared with an age-matched control group without lesions. Responses to a parental checklist, informal interview, and self-concept test showed few differences between young children with hemangiomas and those without this neoplasm.

Psychosocial adjustment in children with hemifacial microsomia and other craniofacial deformities

Psychosocial adjustment was evaluated in different groups of children with craniofacial deformities in order to examine the relationships between symmetry, functional impairments, and social adaptation. Thirty patients, ages 6 through 16 years, were assessed using a battery of standard psychologic measures including Human Figure Drawing, Tasks of Emotional Adjustment, and Children's Depression Inventory. Parents and teachers also provided ratings of the children's functioning using the Child Behavior Checklist (parent and teacher forms). Scores on the outcome measures were summarized with descriptive statistics and then multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to determine the differences in psychosocial development between children with symmetric versus asymmetric craniofacial deformities and between the presence or absence of a functional impairment in children with craniofacial deformities. The results indicate that children with symmetric craniofacial deformities score poorer on measures of psychosocial adjustment than children with asymmetric deformities (F = 3.20, p less than 0.015); however, differences among the groups with or without functional impairments were not significant.

Treacher Collins syndrome: present concepts of the disorder and their surgical correction

Treacher Collins Syndrome is a rare bilateral congenital deformity occurring in 1 in 10,000 births. It is also known, in the European literature, as Franceschetti Syndrome, and is additionally known as mandibulofacial dysostosis. It is a syndrome with a very wide spectrum of manifestations characterized by distortions of the orbit secondary to hypoplasia of the maxilla, mandible, and, most markedly, of the zygoma. Soft tissue deformities include lower lid colobomas, laxity and dystopia of the lateral canthus, microtia, and a paucity of the muscular aponeurosis of the midface. The syndrome is frequently accompanied by significant hearing loss, early failure to thrive, chronic respiratory insufficiency, and sleep apnea. Intelligence is usually within normal limits although learning disabilities are common in early life. These major anatomical and physiological abnormalities, as well as the psychological and social stigma associated with severe facial deformity, make this syndrome one of the most challenging reconstructive problems presented to the craniofacial surgeon.

Working with facially disfigured children: a challenge in prevention

This paper reviews the growing literature on the psychology of appearance and outlines prevention principles for working with facially disfigured children, based on 15 years of psychiatric consultation to a major pediatric craniofacial team.

Psychosocial adjustment of 20 patients with Treacher Collins syndrome before and after reconstructive surgery

Eight males and 12 females (mean age, 12.2 years) with Treacher Collins syndrome were studied longitudinally before and after craniofacial reconstruction. The patients and the parents of the 16 patients who were children were interviewed by a psychosocial team (child psychiatrist, psychologist and social worker) 6 months before and 1, 2, 3 and 4 years after surgery. The patients' facial appearance (Hay's Rating Scale), intellectual ability (Wechsler scales), self-esteem (Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale for Children) and adaptive functioning (DSM III) were measured. The findings indicate that while their intellectual ability was unchanged, their appearance, self-esteem and adaptive functioning improved, peaking 1 year postoperatively and levelling off at the 2- and 4-year postoperative assessments. The improvement in the patients' facial appearance seems to have a direct, positive influence, creating psychosocial and social benefits for them.

Beauty and the eye of the beholder: social consequences and personal adjustments for facial patients

Patients' pre- and postoperative self-reports were compared with reports of non-medical observers to investigate whether improved self-esteem is a direct result of increased social acceptance in maxillo- and craniofacial patients. Twenty-two children and adolescents undergoing reconstructive surgery for a variety of facial deformities were asked to rate their physical appearance on the Hay's Scale and fill out the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale. Their ratings were compared with scores given by a panel of lay volunteers on random presentation of pre- and postoperative photographs of the same patients. Patients rated their appearance as noticeably improved after surgery, their self-esteem rose significantly and they reported more social adeptness and acceptance at home and school. Raters observed only relatively subtle changes. Apparently, quality of life improved for the postsurgical facial patient because of increased self-esteem and confidence, which free him to overcome social barriers.

Classification and treatment of hemifacial microsomia

On the basis of 37 surgically treated patients with hemifacial microsomia, an anatomical-surgical classification was developed which divides these patients into five categories to facilitate surgical planning and help standardize treatment. Treatment was founded on the cooperation of a large craniofacial team. Osteotomies of the jaws, construction of the TM joint with costochondral grafts, onlay bone grafts, and genioplasty were performed to improve facial form and function. Facial scars were avoided. After three-dimensional skeletal alignment, there was rarely a compelling need for subsequent soft tissue augmentation.

Psychosocial impact of craniofacial deformities before and after reconstructive surgery

Pre- and post-operative body image, self-confidence and individual and family adjustment were compared in 250 patients (aged 6 weeks to 39 years) with severe craniofacial deformities. Major congenital deformities of genetic or idiopathic etiology were present in 178 patients and 72 had tumours or other late-onset deformities. The patients and/or parents were interviewed by a child psychiatrist and a social worker as part of the routine pre-operative assessment. In addition to a semistructured interview protocol, the patients and parents were asked to rate the deformity according to Hay's Scale and, when appropriate, to complete the Piers-Harris Self-esteem Inventory. One and two year post-operative reevaluations followed the same protocol. The results indicated that the age of the patient, pre-operative expectations and origin of the decision for surgery (particularly in adolescents) are the most significant predictive factors of post-operative psychosocial improvement.

The surgical treatment of microtia: a long-term review of 17 patients

Fourteen children were reviewed approximately 3 1/2 years after surgical reconstruction of the pinna had been completed. Seven had unilateral microtia and seven bilateral microtia, including four caused by thalidomide. Using objective criteria the cosmetic results were disappointing. Treatment entailed protracted hospitalisation, numerous operations and produced adverse emotional and educational sequelae. Nearly all the children covered their ears by growing their hair long. Attempts by the ENT department to improve hearing in the children with bilateral microtia had been disappointing. Three other children who were not treated although they had been referred for surgery were also reviewed. The problems of reconstructive surgery for microtia and the indications for treatment are discussed. It is suggested that reconstruction may be inadvisable for children who have bilateral anotia or associated deformities and who have an unstable family background.

Self-concept of young children with cerebral palsy

Several measures of self-concept and self-esteem were applied to a sample of 15 'mainstreamed', upper-middle-class, cerebral-palsied children aged between four and eight years, and to 15 matched controls. Over-all self-concept scores were similar for both groups, although they tended to be lower for the handicapped group. Teachers rated the handicapped children as having lower self-esteem than the controls in the classroom, but behavioral ratings by parents of their own children at home revealed no group differences in self-esteem. These tentative findings, supplemented by interview data, support the hypothesis that children with cerebral palsy begin to regard themselves as different as early as four years of age. However, these self-views and their potentially negative effects on self-esteem do not appear to crystallize until the children are in the primary grades at school.