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(e) Referred for Medical Treatment 9
(f) Referred for further assessment 15
It was reported last year that the waiting list for assessment had been
reduced markedly from the previous year. At the end of the year under review
there was no longer any waiting time beyond the few days administratively
necessary to arrange appointments. This satisfactory state of affairs is due
to several factors. There was a drop in the number of children brought
forward by Head Teachers, the Educational Psychologist arrange psychometric
testing in many instances. Also two Medical Officers completed the Course
on ascertainment of mentally handicapped children while other Medical Officers
trained in the technique became available for sessional work.
The numbers of children in special schools who received intelligence
assessments to ensure that they were properly placed or for the purpose of
advising the Chief Education Officer about their educational needs showed an
increase from 55 in 1971 to 63 in the year under review, made up as follows:—
St. Christopher's School 19
St. Nicholas School 18
Coldharbour School 14
St. Giles' School 9
St. Luke's School 3
PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE
Miss J. McBride, M.C.S.P., A.P.T.A., (Superintendent Physiotherapist)
In August 1972 an experimental project for providing physiotherapy
treatment for selected children was carried out during the school holidays.
This proved to be highly satisfactory and it is hoped that this year the
scheme will be repeated and run in conjunction with a play group organised
by the Education Department and the Parent/Teachers' Association. The
selected children were those who were likely to regress without treatment,
and those who were so lonely and unstimulated at home that extra physical
activities would prove to be beneficial. In planning the programme with
Staff and Parents it transpired that there was a dire need for a recreational
facility, so four children were accepted into the Cheyne Holiday Club in
London. This provided opportunity for play in the Adventure Playground,
outings to the sea and indoor games geared to the physically disabled. Fifteen
children received specific physiotherapy and were brought to the School two
or three times a week. These numbers are small compared to a normal working
day because there was nobody available to occupy them when they were not
receiving treatment. Hence this year it is essential to expand the scheme for
more patients and have the treatment programme running concurrently with a
play group.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Case Conferences
in which many professions are now represented. There is the School Medical