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45
It is difficult to give any precise definition of a maladjusted child
so that diagnosis will often depend upon the judgement of individual
specialists and sometimes even upon the facilitiesavailable. lt is noticeable
that recommendations are more usually made because of the effect
of the child's behaviour upon the school and relatively little consideration
is given to the use of special educational facilities as a therapeutic
tool in the treatment of environmental maladjustment.
Approval was received for the inclusion of a new purpose-built day
special school for maladjusted pupils in the next Special Schools Building
Programme, and consideration was given to the possibility of providing
limited residential accommodation. Once again 14 children were
ascertained to be in need of special educational facilities in this category,
but the shortage of places inevitably resulted in delays in finding
suitable accommodation. Since the problem is frequently presented in
the form of an acute crisis, placement during the intervening period is
often a matter for some concern.
During 1966 a Day Hospital Unit was opened at the Child Guidance
Clinic under the direction of Dr. G. Crosse. A number of severely mentally
disturbed children were admitted for daily treatment, and the Education
Department was able to provide the services of a teacher. This
development provided much needed temporary relief for the care of
autistic and severely mentally disturbed young children until the new
Day School can be opened.
PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS
In Day Special Schools - 95
In Residential Special Schools - 11
Awaiting Placement - 5
During the year 30 physically handicapped children were recommended
for admission to a suitable special school. It is noticeable that such
children are being recognised by the Service at an earlier age and usually
in sufficient time for arrangements to be made for their admission to a
special school on or about the fifth birthday. A large majority of the
children are admitted to St. Giles' School and I am grateful to Mr. D.B.
Pettman for the following report:—
ST. GILES' SCHOOL FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PUPILS
This has been a year of continuing development and progress. The
completion of the extension to the Physiotherapy Department, and the
building of the new Speech Therapy Room has greatly improved facilities
in the school. Reorganisation within the Secondary Department of the
school has made it possible to offer pupils after three years general
studies from 11 - 14 years, a choice of course with the opportunity of
taking subjects to C.S.E. The results of the 1966 C.S.E. Examinations
were most satisfactory; 9 candidates offered an average of 3 subjects
each and obtained the following results:—