View report page

Children with speech and language disorders are generally referred to the speech
therapist by the school medical officers following medical examinations, although the
therapists themselves, following school visits, often have children referred to them by
the Head Teachers.
The following is a list of the types of disorders treated by the therapists.
Disorders of Articulation. Dyslalia, dyseneia, dysarthia and articulation defects due
to structural abnormalities such as a cleft palate.
Disorders of Language. Developmental dysphasia and retarded language development,
the latter being very common particularly amonst children in special schools. Indeed
it is also felt that some disorders of arciculation are closely linked with retarded
language development. At this stage it may be pointed out that speech therapists are
aware of the growing problem of language difficulties amonst Immigrant children who
are faced with the problems of learning a new language.
Disorders of Voice. Dysphonia or impairment of voice such as excessive nasality
and puberphonia (failure in development of the normal adult voice).
Disorders of Speech Fluency. Most well known is that of stammering. Not so well
known is the disorder of non fluency most common amon g children of pre-school
age. This is often, and wrongly, diagnosed as stammering. However, if it is incorrectly
handled it can often prove to be the fore-runner of a stammer.
In closing it must be mentioned that while it is possible, following the Seebohm
Report, that the format of the service and the present role of the speech therapist will
change, the aims will not. These are to offer advice and treatment where necessary
to those patients who are handicapped by speech and language disorders.
Handicapped Pupils
Section 34 of the Education Act, 1944, makes it a duty of the Local Education
Authority to ascertain what children in the area require special educational treatment
and to provide such treatment.
The various categories of handicapped pupils are defined by The School Health
Service and Handicapped Pupils Regulations, 1959, as follows:—
Blind Epileptic
Partially Sighted Maladjusted
Deaf Physically Handicapped
Partially Hearing Delicate
Educationally Subnormal Children suffering from Speech Defects
Special educational treatment being provided either in special school or, otherwise,
by special methods appropriate to the handicap of the particular child.
117