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Speech Therapy
Miss Came, Senior Speech Therapist, reports as follows:—
"Once again, many schools were visited in 1958. Their support and
co-operation have been invaluable.
Teachers show increasing awareness of the crippling effects of a speech
handicap on emotional growth and/or educational progress. Infant
school head teachers commonly consult the speech therapist about
children with such difficulties. The head master and staff of Tottenham
Grammar School have shown equal concern that every stammerer should
receive treatment.
In Hornsey, the speech therapist reports a less satisfactory position,
possibly arising through staff changes in the past. She mentions that some
children have not reached her until long past the optimum age for treatment.
The dangerously unscientific statement "he'll grow out of it"
may also account for some delayed referrals. A future survey of Hornsey
children needing speech therapy is suggested."
Hospital Classes
I am indebted to Mr. J. Power, M.A., Borough Education Officer,
Tottenham, for the following report:—
"The tuition of children at St. Ann's and the Prince of Wales's General
Hospitals has continued during the past year under the two full-time
teachers provided by the Tottenham Education Committee. An average
of 29 long-term patients regularly receive tuition and in addition every
effort is made to cater for children who are patients for shorter periods.
At St. Ann's Hospital, a schoolroom is established in one of the wards
in which those children who are well enough to be moved take their
lessons. The schoolroom is very well equipped with school furniture, a
library, a wireless set, an electric gramophone, etc. and the hospital
authorities have provided a television set which can be used for school
programmes. The Tottenham Library Service also assists in the provision
of books.
As the age of the children ranges from 5 to 15 years, teaching is mainly
individual. Other children are taught at their bedside in a number of
wards, including the poliomyelitis ward. In the latter ward there is a
17 year old girl who, despite complete paralysis, has obtained a scholarship
from the Swiss Foot and Mouth Painting Association. The Education
Committee have arranged for an art teacher to give instruction in art
twice weekly in this case and, as a result, arrangements are in hand for
her to take the G.C.E. examination in art this year.
Four teaching sessions per week are given at the Prince of Wales's
General Hospital.
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