View report page

13
Defects of the Nervous System
A further marked increase is noted in the children referred to the
service for intelligence assessment and almost fifty per cent more children
were examined than was the case a couple of years ago. The waiting list for
assessment has unfortunately grown with the number of referrals, and now
contains as many cases as would normally be carried out in a full year. The
reason for the great increase in referrals is partly due to the opening just
after the end of the year under review of the Borough's second school for
educationally retarded pupils, as Head Teachers are putting forward possible
candidates but, as remarked last year, many of the referrals are of pupils
within the average range with special difficulties who are more properly a
responsibility of the School Psychological Service.
Psychological Defects
The number of psychological problems reported is similar to last year's
figure. However, it is very gratifying to note that the cases seen by
Dr. Crosse, the Consultant Psychiatrist, and his team at the Child Guidance
Clinic, showed a marked increase and as is pointed out later in the Report
(page 16) this has substantially reduced the waiting time for those needing
this Clinic's services. Dr. Crosse's lunchtime seminars for medical officers
and health visitors have continued throughout the year, and continue to give
those able to attend a greater insight into behaviour, normal and abnormal,
within the family group. This knowledge is essential in the preventive
advisory role of the Child Health Service.
Occasional cases of drug experimentation among small groups of school
children were reported and advice given. There again was no evidence of
drug dependence having become a problem in the Borough, but the Health
Education Section continues to disseminate knowledge about the whole subject
to parents and teachers, and School Medical Officers are very willing to
advise when called upon. The subject of drugs is also included in an integrated
programme of health education in most of the secondary schools in
the Borough.
Nutrition
Average heights of boys continue to increase slowly, most noticeably
in the 14 year age group, but girls'heights seem not to have changed much
over the last three years. The tendency for weight to increase has not
continued, in fact there is a slight but welcome average loss.
Dr. Simmonds has continued to supervise the progress of children
attending the Weight Control Clinics during the year.