View report page

105
The class is a wide one, and presents many shades of difference,
ranging from the most backward children to those who appear
slightly imbecile.
Ages vary from 6 to 14. The nine children examined are at
present all attending School. The highest standard reached was
Standard III in the case of a boy of 14, but his mental attainments
were not typical of this class.
c. Imbeciles.
Are those individuals whose mental powers are at present beyond
the reach of reason and appear likely to remain so. Among
the imbecile children examined, four would be unable to attend any
school, two children might possibly obtain benefit from special
schools.
d. Infantile Paralysis.
One case examined is unsuitable for school, another child might
obtain benefit from a school for the physically detective.
e. Infantile paralysis and epilepsy.
One child has such frequent fits that school is impossible,
another has had no fits for two years, and the paralysis is improving,
but the child is mentally defective.
f. Vision
One of the two children with defective vision is unable to attend
school as an operation will be necessary during the next six months.
The second child is suffering from a high degree of astigmatism and
the parents have been urged strongly to take the child to a hospital
to obtain glasses. Special arrangements were made to have the
child seen at Moorfields Eye Hospital, but so far the parents have
not availed themselves of the opportunity.
g. Epilepsy.
The child examined is attending school as the fits do not occur
too frequently to make school attendance inadvisable.
h. Deafness-
The child who is deaf speaks much better than is usual with
completely deaf children, and therefore would not gain much benefit
from an ordinary school for the deaf.