View report page

110
The importance of social training is emphasised at these special
schools. The scope of education has been broadened to stimulate
and maintain the children's interest in the daily activities of the
community and to prepare them to take their place as citizens
and find employment appropriate to their abilities when the time
comes for them to leave school.
During the year a social worker has continued to work in contact
with Greenmead School for the Physically Handicapped, and
this help has been extended to the Chartfield Open Air School.
Unfortunately owing to a shortage of staff the Oak Lodge School
for Deaf Children has been without a social worker since August.
Audiology and audiometry
Loss of hearing constitutes such a handicap to a child in the
learning situation that continued vigilance must be kept for its
detection. All children on entry to school are screened by sweep
audiometry to exclude deafness. This test is carried out by one of
three specially trained school nurses. Any child suspected by his
parents, teachers, school nurse or doctor of having a hearing loss
can be referred to one of the four audiology clinics in the Borough.
An otologist appointed by the Inner London Education Authority
is in attendance at these clinics and advises on treatment and
management, with particular reference to the difficulties which may
arise in the school.
Children who have a slight but variable loss as well as those
with permanent deafness have their progress checked at the clinics.
A total of 574 children attended during the year.
During 1971 increasing use was made of the Braidwood Audiology
Unit at Tulse Hill (Lambeth) where children can be given
a comprehensive assessment. The specialists of the Unit contact
schools to give advice on children with poor hearing.
A peripatetic teacher of the deaf visits pre-school children in
their homes as well as children with a hearing loss who attend
ordinary schools.
The numbers of children given audiometer tests during 1971
are as follows : —
Pupils given screening tests 6,953
Pupils given pure-tone tests after failing screening tests 789
Pupils referred to otologist 374
Special investigation clinics
There are six special investigation clinics in the Borough, which
are run jointly with the Inner London Education Authority. Children
are treated for enuresis, obesity and behaviour problems, or a
combination of these difficulties. Most cases are referred following