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Institutionalization of children with disabilities is the placement of children, who have been abandoned or whose parents cannot support them, into a facility which can be similar to an orphanage. This often occurs in countries where alternative methods of care are not available. The definition of an institution can be ambiguous; the "Report of the Ad Hoc Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care" defines an institution based on the following guidelines: *A facility that is separated from the local community and does not allow for normal community interaction *A facility that houses a large group of non-family members who are made to follow a pre-planned schedule that may not meet their individual needs〔 *A facility that provides housing for individuals who are segregated due to a disability and have to live in isolation for prolonged periods of time〔 According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 23: "States Parties recognize that a mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child's active participation in the community." The Committee on the Rights of the Child finds that institutions have become a widespread option for the placement of children with disabilities. The 2006 General Comment No.9 reports concern with the lack of adequate treatment provided, as well as increased vulnerability to institutional abuse and neglect. In Russia, 400,000 to 600,000 children are under institutional care, and these children are subject to the concerns stated in the Committee's report. ==Effects of institutionalization on children== The report "Findings and Recommendations of a UNICEF Sponsored Fact-finding Mission to the Russian Federation" found instances of children left neglected and constricted with restraints, as well as cases of stereotypies, such as self-inflicted physical harm and rocking in Russian institutions. Also observed was the confinement of children to a bed-ridden state for hours and days and the segregation of older children into separate institutional classrooms, where they are subject to inadequate education. The report attributes such conditions to lack of necessary resources and overworked staff, who are unable to provide the necessary care to all children. Research related to institutional care has been conducted in various European countries, and findings show that these types of environments lead to a plethora of negative consequences. The following are common effects: * Developmental delay is prevalent due to the absence of physical stimulation and presence of daily neglect, as is motor skill delay, inadequate brain development, impairment in social and cognitive skills, and speech impediments. Attachment disorders are also common, which lead to harmful self-inflicting actions. Enuresis, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, as well as difficulty in forming healthy relationships have also been reported. * Delay in physical development occurs for a variety of reasons. Malnutrition, lack of immunization, improper feeding, and depression resulting from lack of emotional attention all contribute to physical growth delays among children. Widespread infectious disease and problems with vision, hearing, low height and weight, along with microcephaly have been reported. While children may have correctable birth defects, often surgery or necessary treatment is not provided.〔 * Institutional abuse is also widespread, leading to further physical and emotional damage. Sexual abuse also occurs, but the actual number of cases is unknown.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Institutionalization of children with disabilities in Russia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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