View report page

children arc those who show no defect of hearing, preferably after testing with an
audiometer, yet do not speak, or speak very little and very indistinctly. They usually
exhibit a certain amount of confusion in their expression of written language, showing
that the defect is not merely one of speech. The defect is rare, but children who are
deaf to high notes while hearing low notes are sometimes mistakenly called aphasic
because their hearing has not been scientifically charted. It is sound practice that all
children with speech defects should have an audiometer test, and this is being done to
an increasing extent.
Occasionally children who fail to talk do so for psychological reasons, and the aid of
a child guidance clinic may be necessary as well as otological examination, in order to
classify them properly.
Before starting treatment, arrangements are made for any other defects, such as
carious teeth, defects of vision, unhealthy tonsils and adenoids, etc., to be treated.
The general principles of the treatment of stammering comprise the teaching of
relaxation, correct breathing, and rhythmic speech. In the treatment of other speech
defects the ear is trained to make a well-defined distinction between closely similar
sounds and the vocal organs to reproduce such sounds accurately. As constant practice
is essential to success, good results are mostly confined to cases where parents and
therapists co-operate.
Before 1st January, 1948, pupils suffering from speech defect formed the only
category of pupils requiring special educational treatment under the Education Act,
1944, in respect of whom arrangements for accommodation and placing were made in
the Public Health Department. As from 1st January, 1948, the Education Officer undertook
the administration of speech therapy centres, while the School Medical Officer
continued to supply medical supervision and the services of speech therapists.
Speech therapy work is at present carried out by a staff of one head, ten whole-time,
three part-time and five sessional qualified therapists who work in 34 clinics (some of
these clinics being held in ordinary schools, some in welfare centres, and some in school
treatment centres). In addition to these 34 clinics where children from ordinary schools
are treated, speech therapy clinics have been established in the day schools for educationally
sub-normal children and in all but two of the day schools for physically
handicapped children. Clinics have also been established in some boarding schools
and in some Children's Department residential establishments.
Though progress is slow, the correction of speech defects is particularly important
in helping physically handicapped and educationally sub-normal children to take their
place in the community.
Occasional visits are paid by speech therapists to children receiving home tuition
who have speech defects.
Nominations of children for speech therapy are sent to County Hall on the appropriate
cards, which are scrutinised by the medical officer responsible for this work.
Where a detailed examination appears to be necessary, children are called to County
Hall. The Medical Officer's recommendations for speech therapy are passed to the
Education Officer. Arrangements are then made for the children to be ascertained
formally and admitted to suitable centres.
Each centre consists of groups for stammerers, who sometimes need to be taken
individually, and for other children who generally are taken individually. The period of
treatment is about 40-50 minutes.
Pupils selected for admission to speech therapy clinics attend once or twice weekly,
according to their needs, and attend their ordinary school meanwhile. Each speech
therapist's session is of three-hours duration.
Vacancies are filled normally at the beginning of the term, but vacancies occurring
during the term are, if possible, filled immediately. New cases are usually called for the
211