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In December, 1971, Miss Marriott left the Clinic after 6 years to further her studies
in adult and child psychotherapy. Her excellent services are missed by both the children
and staff. Mrs. Powell, however, continues to provide us with unfailing psychotherapy
time but the need remains, greater than ever, for further skilled help if we are adequately
to cover the needs of the treatment waiting list in an area with an increased school and
pre-school population.
In January, 1971, Mrs. G. Doelly rejoined the Clinic after an absence of some 14
years, replacing Mrs. MacMillan, since retired. As a qualified psychiatric social worker
also, she. joins Mrs. P. Lomax who has been at the Clinic some 14 years. We are indeed
fortunate in having Mrs. Doelly as, in addition, she already has a good working knowledge
of the Borough, its environs and the facilities available, to the benefit of all.
I would once again mention our appreciation of the help provided by the Maria
Grey College and Institute of Education (London University) mature students who, with
supervision, have greatly assisted us in absorbing a number of children from our treatment
and remedial teaching waiting lists.
The Oldfield Day Schools for Maladjusted Children, with their increased numbers,
continue to provide a firm and sympathetic background for a large number of children
whose difficulties and problems cannot be absorbed into large classes of ordinary schools.
In some cases, their attendance at Oldfield School runs parallel with psychotherapy at
the Clinic. Contact with the parents and home background of all children attending the
Oldfield Schools is maintained throughout the year. We look forward to the proposed
establishment of a Senior Oldfield School as soon as possible since not all problems are
resolved at secondary school age; indeed, some have only just begun.
We have seen the progress of several children from Athelstan House to ordinary
and residential schools. This has proved a mainly heartening step to the parents and all
those concerned in the diagnosis and treatment of the autistic child the numbers of whom,
fortunately, do not appear to be on the increase in this area.