Professionals, Mentally Handicapped Children and Confidential Files

ABSTRACT

The professional files kept on E.S.N.(S) children contain self-contradictory justifications for school placements; damaging social stereotyping; moral evaluations of families; professional procedures involving circularity of thought, and attempts by professionals to protect themselves from the types of abuse to which they submit the children and their parents. On the basis that confidentiality offends both quality of information and basic human rights, the abolition of such confidential or secret files is demanded.