Carla Vlaskamp (Sneek, 1949) has worked in the University of Groningen’s Department of Orthopedagogy since 1985. In 2001, she became professor by special appointment in the same department and a full professor in 2008. She is an expert in the field of children and young people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). Her work has resulted in completely new insights into the way these children are cared for. Until the early 1980s, medical and nursing intervention was the main component of care for these seriously handicapped children, who seem unable to do anything for themselves and are totally dependent. The introduction of an education programme described by Vlaskamp in her 1993 thesis brought about a radical change for children with PIMD. It led to a move away from old trends and gave pedagogical intervention a significant role in work with these children. Upbringing, support, treatment and care of these children became leading principles in the Netherlands and abroad, having previously had people at a loss.

 sleep medicine, sleep disorders, neruology