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and disharmony, or in the homes of problem families, or where the
parents are unable to control or tolerate his behaviour, or are unable or
unwilling to co-operate in the treatment. The ordinary school may also
be unable to tolerate certain maladjusted pupils who may express their
feelings in a manner which leads to disruption of the class in various
ways.
In certain cases treating patients, not as individuals but as members
of a group can have the advantage of utilising for curative purposes the
influence that patients have on each other. Whatever the reason for
recommending a residential school placement, the aim must always be
to restore the child to his parents and home as soon as possible. Special
schools for this purpose must provide all the ingredients of a full
education suited to the pupil's ability and aptitudes as well as creating
an environment in which every aspect of the pupil's life is made to
contribute to his or her treatment. Most schools give prominence to
various kinds of imaginative activities, such as painting and drama,
which allow children to work through some of their problems; to
practical activities such as woodwork, gardening, and hobbies, to the
keeping of pets or the care of animals. The simple fact of receiving
individual attention in a small class in an informal nor ompetitive
atmosphere—often enables a boy or girl to make progres vhich may
contribute greatly towards solving their emotional pr lems. The
teacher requires much skill to allow children initial sco to express
their maladjustment without disturbing the rest of the class too much
or disorganising their work, and to know when to demnand more
restrained behaviour.
The staff of the local child guidance clinics co-operate in most
cases with the teaching staffs of these schools in the care and progress
of the pupils.
Parents themselves frequently require help to acquare an understanding
of their own and their children's problems. Concact between
the school and the parents must be maintained, and the parents encouraged
to provide a suitable home environment for the child on his
discharge.
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