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48
closely together, exchanging ideas about the particular needs and difficulties
of each child. The case conferences held twice a term have been
very useful. Dr. Gibbons also attends these sessions. The twelve children
now in the Unit, all of whom have some degree of aphasia, can be
grouped as follows:—
8 producing a fair amount of intelligible speech.
3 producing some speech, but it is less readily understood.
1 producing 30-40 isolated words.
Of these twelve, two have severe difficulty in understanding speech, and
three others have moderate difficulty.
All the children are integrated into the ordinary school for Assembly,
dinner, play, games and dancing lessons. They were very pleased to join
in one of the class plays at the School Concert in May and have greatly
enjoyed all the Christmas parties and activities. One boy is working in a
Junior third year class, another in a Junior first year class, though he
comes to the Unit for extra help with reading and another spends part of
each day in an Infant class.
This appears to be an ideal situation for a group of children with
language and communication difficulties. They have the companionship
of children who speak normally, as well as the individual help they need.
The happiness of the children and the progress they have made has been
in very great measure due to the kindness and understanding of the Head
Master, the members of staff and to the friendliness of all the children
of the West Thornton School.
DELICATE PUPILS
In Day Special Schools - 47
In Residential Special Schools - 11
During the year 13 children were found to be delicate and recommended
for admission to a suitable special school. Reference was made in
the report for 1965 (p. 47) to the declining importance of this category so
that the reduction in the number of children who were ascertained and the
number of children who were receiving special education need occasion
no surprise. Children who are categorised as delicate in Croydon at
present are admitted to St. Giles' School or to a residential open air
school if a change of environment is essential.
HOME TUITION
If a child is not fit to attend any school, arrangements are made for
home tuition. Wherever possible such children are returned to a school
environment as quickly as possible since it is recognised that social
contact with other children is an essential part of normal child development.
During the year 15 children we re recommended for home tuition and
a further three children were already receiving such tuition.