View report page

Age Number Boys Girls
7 15 12 3
8 73 54 19
9 123 89 34
10 146 105 41
11 154 121 33
12 187 150 37
13 197 137 60
14+ 19 14 5
The number of children actually having treatment in 1919 was 105. A revised estimate
the following year showed that 1,200 children needed treatment, the proportion of boys
to girls remaining the same.
The proposed system for treatment was that five classes were to be established, with
20 children in each class, the whole to be under the general supervision of a medical officer.
The effect of this scheme was good and 34 children were discharged at the end of the first
term. As a result of this experience stammering children were classified in the following
groups:
(i) Children who started to stammer as they developed speech.
(ii) Those in whom stammering came on at a later date and after the development of
normal speech.
It was noted that successful treatment of the first group was difficult. This work done
in 1920 suggested some reasons for the onset of stammer of the second group and noted
that air raids during 1914-1918 were associated, causing frights, nightmares and night
terrors. Poor physique and spasmodic breathing were often found in these children, many
of whom looked strained and anxious. Treatment was directed towards improving the
general condition and relaxation.
The first speech clinic organised and conducted entirely by the Council was opened
this year in Brixton; experience with this class showed that 20 children was too large a
number and 12 more satisfactory. At this time, 1920, it was thought that a total accommodation
of 144 places would meet the need and a scheme was drawn up for the treatment
of about 300 children each year. It seemed likely that the arrears of work would be overtaken
and younger children admitted to the class. It was realised that there would be
difficulties in getting the younger children to the centres—this problem is still with us.
The plan provided for a gradual movement of centres from the central area towards the
periphery of the county, so that vacancies occurring then could be offered to children
from neighbouring authorities which might not have centres of their own.
First expansion—Centres were opened in six schools in 1921. Two groups of 12 children
attended twice weekly 'for treatment and advice from special instructresses in speech
training'. A total of 330 children passed into the centres and 'a number of the more
chronic patients were sent to Margate and Bushey Park Camp schools with beneficial
results Until this time the classes had been for boys and girls separately, but in 1921
the number of girls requiring treatment fell and the experiment of putting the younger
boys with the girls was made. This proved a happy experiment and since then mixed
groups have been quite usual.
The term 'treatment centre' came into use in 1922 and has been in current use since.
Of 350 children treated for stammering in 1922 the greater part was made up of older boys;
95 out of the total of 350 were noted as provisionally cured. This term was used for children
whose speech was quite clear or so nearly so that the standard of speech was readily
acceptable. The six centres were continued throughout 1923 and as experience was gained
more information about stammering children became available. It was noted in a report
that after a period of treatment there was sometimes a period of standstill and in some
cases this was an indication for a rest from treatment; after such a rest more progress
was made on return to the centre. An attempt was made to define criteria on which to make
a prognosis and it was thought that the main factors were the teacher, the time between
onset and treatment, the intelligence of the child and the physical condition of the child.
147
K