Clinical assessment: physical and psychological functioning.

This article has provided evidence that children with chronic disorders of all kinds are at increased risk for psychosocial disturbances. That they are also likely to experience some degree of physical disability is self-evident. Accordingly, in the comprehensive care provided for these children the pediatrician is obliged to attempt to assess the status of functioning in these domains. A variety of methods for doing so in the context of a busy office practice has been presented.