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HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
The formal ascertainment of any type of handicap in childhood rests entirely with
the School Health Service and only the School Medical Officer can recommend to the
local education authority any form of special educational treatment. This necessitates
not only a very full and up-to-date knowledge of medical conditions but also very complete
information as to the provisions of the Education Art 1944 and the facilities available.
It also involves close liaison with the parent, family doctor, the hospital consultant, the
teacher and where appropriate, the educational psychologist.
In order to keep the school medical officer informed of the advances in modern
medicine, full advantage must be taken of the post-graduate course available. During
the year one medical officer attended a course on the assessment of hearing defects in
children and another attended a course on the assessment of mental subnormality.
This second medical officer also undertook, at her own expense, a post-graduate course
on dermatology at Sheffield University during a week of her annual leave.
With the improved general standard of children's health, the careful assessment of
the handicapped child, including the child who is failing to make satisfactory educational
progress, occupies an increasing proportion of the school medical officer's time. These
examinations are often time consuming, but it is of the utmost importance to the child
that his condition should be thoroughly investigated.
Although statutory ascertainment of handicaps under the provisions of the Education
Art, 1944, may not take place before the age of 2 years, it is important for medical and
social reasons that handicaps should be discovered as early as possible in a child's fife.
A register is kept of all children under the age of 5 years who are either mentally or
physically handicapped.
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