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45
UNIT FOR SPEECH DISORDERED CHILDREN
WEST THORNTON J.M. & I. SCHOOL
The work of the Unit has continued steadily throughout the year. Dr.
Worster-Drought, Consultant Specialist, visits the Unit each term; Dr.
Fisher, medical adviser, attends regularly and all the children have intensive
speech therapy.
Two children were considered ready for transfer to ordinary schools
near their homes. Both have adjusted very well and are making good progress.
Two children were admitted and there have been twelve on roll for
most of the year. These twelve, all of whom have some degree of aphasia,
can be grouped as follows:-
3 producing fluent and intelligible speech.
5 producing a fair amount of intelligible speech.
3 producing some speech that is less readily understood.
1 producing 100-150 isolated words.
2 having severe difficulty in understanding speech.
Three children are now spending most of the day in the junior school,
going to the Unit for speech therapy, remedial reading, or any help that
is needed with specific difficulties. A11 the children join the ordinary
school for assembly, P.E., dancing, dinner and all social activities. They
benefit a great deal from the friendliness of the children of this school.
The continued understanding and kindness of the Unit staff, and the willing
co-operation of the infant and junior school remains a most powerful factor
in the growing confidence and steady progress of these children.
DELICATE PUPILS
In Day Special Schools - 40
In Residential Special Schools - 8
During the year 13 children were found to be delicate and recommended
for admission to a suitable special school. Reference was made to the declining
importance of this category in the Report for 1965 (page 47) and at
that time there were 76 delicate children receiving special educational treats
ment. In 1967 the number was only 52. Children who are categorised as
delicate in Croydon 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