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31
SPEECH CLINIC
Mrs. S.M. Wickerson, L. C. S. T., Senior speech Therapist
1965 marked a significant change and increase in Croydon's
Speech Therapy Service.
Two members of the staff - Mrs. Coates and Mrs. Kent, left,
and for a time the service was under great stress and pressure
of work. However, five new Speech Therapists commenced their
duties in September and October. Fortunately the Service is now
fully staffed.
A great deal of time has been devoted to increasing and improving
the Service in the new areas of the Borough. Speech
Therapy Services were increased from two only in the southern
area to six in Purley and four in Sanderstead - the latter
commencing in November when the new clinic became available.
As in the past schools have been visited, to select and
assess children for treatment, and the senior Speech Therapist
visited every school in the southern parts of the new Borough.
The response was good, and as a result the number of sessions in
the Purley and Sanderstead clinics may have to be increased.
Towards the end of the year plans were formed and passed to
create a Day Unit for severely speech disordered children to
open in January 1966. This I feel sure will be of immense value
to the Borough.
Help has been given by the Speech Therapy staff to severely
deaf pre-school children owing to a shortage of teachers of the
deaf.
As mentioned in previous reports, the speech clinic has had
several official visitors during the year, and it has also provided
clinical experience for speech therapy students. Talks
have also been given to voluntary organisations - Young wives
Clubs, etc.
As in the past both of Croydon's special schools have been
visited regularly and treatments given by the Speech Therapists.
OTHER SERVICES
Transport of Children to Ordinary Schools
In the event of an accident or illness resulting in temporary
disability, the school medical officer is asked to decide
whether special transport should be provided to enable the child