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Since September 1999, the Commission of Special Education (CDES) in the French department of Var implemented a computer system to electronically handle medical records and information in conformance with the circular of November 5, 1998. The study presented here is based upon the first 247 orientation requests entered in the academic year 1998-1999. Six groups of children were categorised according to the main diagnostic clusters: psychosis, non-psychotic personality disorders and behavioural disorders, mental deficiency and chromosomal anomalies, instrumental malfunctioning and learning problems, central neurological problems, and motor and sensory difficulties. This study describes the medical diseases and handicaps of children for whom a medico-social assistance has been requested for the first time at the CDES based upon the recommended orientations. The revision of database management system foreseen by the implementation of the OPALES programme (Guide to Management and Administration of local Special Education) will integrate the medical, social and administrative parameters, and it will allow for the provision of a more streamlined analysis of and response to the problems and issues of handicapped children which are addressed to the CDES. The system will constitute a sustainable database on the handicaps of the children throughout the entire department.