There is a growing recognition of the importance of self-concept in the pediatric rehabilitation research literature. There also is confusion and inconsistency in the definitions of and the terminology used to describe self-concept. What is agreed is that self-concept is multidimensional, comprising a child's perception of their personal attributes and competencies in various domains (descriptive element), and their sense of self-worth or self-esteem (evaluative element). The author suggests that physical and occupational therapists need to understand how children feel about themselves, as this is an integral part of any positive and supportive child-therapist relationship and may influence the willingness of a child to participate in therapy. A child's sense of self-worth, their motivation to develop and change, the value they place on different aspects of their functioning, and their sense of social identity are also central to the decision making on management strategies. Identifying children at risk of a lower self-concept may facilitate, in the short term, an early referral for cognitive and behavioral self-management interventions if it was considered to be appropriate. In the longer term, a positive self-concept is thought to be associated with an enhanced ability to cope with stress, better compliance with medical advice, greater involvement in physical activity, and a lower level of obesity and depression compared to those with a lower self-concept.