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50
PUPILS SUFFERING FROM A SPEECH DEFECT
In Day Special School
In Day Unit 9
There are many pupils with some degree of defective speech in ordinary
schools and various special schools. Under the above heading only those
children where the use of words is the child's major problem are considered.
Most of the children at the West Thornton Unit for Speech Disordered
Children have difficulty not only with the spoken word but also with the
written word. Careful assessment by Dr. Hierons, the Consultant Neurologist
Adviser to the Unit, the Local Authority doctor with special responsibility
for children with speech problems, as well as the Principal Speech Therapist,
is needed before children are admitted. On-going assessment as well as
remedial teaching is an important function of the Unit, and the fact that all
the children do not necessarily return to normal school does not detract from
the value of the work done there.
I am grateful to Mr. John Brook, Principal Speech Therapist, for the
following report.
West Thornton Unit for Speech Disordered Children
The year started with only six children in the Unit. Since then seven
have been admitted and four have left. Of these four, two returned to ordinary
schools where they are managing successfully. Two went to schools for the
deaf, one to a boarding school and one to a day school in Essex.
At present there are nine children in the Unit, and of these four spend
part of each day in a normal class. One boy came back to the Unit saying:
"The boys in that class can write stories. Will you help me to write one?"
This kind of motivation to use creative language is of very great value, and is
an important factor in the children's progress.
A second classroom has now been provided. This enables us to work in
small groups and helps to ensure that this very diverse group of highly distractible
children is really being fully extended, not just happily occupied.
We are grateful to the Headmaster, Staff and children of West Thornton
School for the help, encouragement and friendliness which they always give
to the children in the Unit. One boy plays in the School football team and all
the children have a great sense of being included in the life of the school.
DELICATE PUPILS
In Day Special Schools 18
In Residential Special Schools 10
During the year three pupils were ascertained as delicate and admitted
to residential special school. Eighteen pupils listed as delicate attend
St. Giles' School but they are not delicate in the lay sense of the term, all
having recognised disabilities such as asthma or moderate heart disease.