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102
SPASTICS AND EPILEPTICS
Ministry of Health Circular 1/54 asks for a report on the
incidence of spastics and epileptics in the area, and a review of
facilities available to them. The definition of spastic proposed in
Ministry of Health Circular 26/53 is—"those who have a permanent
and substantial handicap resulting from brain damage or
defect occurring before or at birth, or during childhood'.
The figures for Croydon, which are not put forward as
complete, but represent a joint effort of statutory and voluntary
organisations, are as follows : —
Total spastics of all ages—83.
Pre-school—9.
3 probably ineducable.
1 probably educable.
1 in an institution.
4 not assessed.
School age—48.
24 in special schools.
(20 in Physically Handicapped Day School.)
( 3 in special school for Spastics.)
( 1 in Physically Handicapped Residential School.)
5 in ordinary schools.
8 ineducable.
4 not yet at school. Final decision regarding schooling
3 ? ineducable. not yet made.
4 at Special Educationally Sub-Normal School.
Over School age—22.
9 mentally defective.
2 awaiting training.
1 at work.
10 no details known.
Age not known—4.
Diagnostic facilities.
In addition to the London teaching hospitals, there are
available the special unit at Queen Mary's, Carshalton, and the
screening facilities of St. Margaret's School. The Croydon
Branch of the National Spastics Society have also established
their own diagnostic clinic.