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Clinic, however, is concerned with those whose deviation is due
to misfortune. When we come to speak of readjustment we shall
also have a purely social ideal in view. We are not thinking in
absolute terms of "cure" or perfection, but are aiming at acceptability.
To say that a family is "readjusted" means that its
standards, habits and behaviour are nearer than before to those
of its neighbours, and the readjusted child will be acceptable
to the majority of his social equals, although, if his family remains
maladjusted, he may not be acceptable to it.
Maladjustment and Mental Ill-Health.
The first task of the Child Guidance Clinic is to determine
whether the term " maladjusted " can properly be applied to the
child. The second task is to determine the causes of the maladjustment.
Finally, it has to be determined whether the child
is also suffering from what may be called mental ill-health.
The point should be made that maladjustment and mental
ill-health are not synonymous. This may perhaps be made
clear by analogy. A child may be attacked by disease—a severe
disease such as pneumonia. In the course of the illness his body
may behave in an abnormal way, but the child does not on this
account cease to be healthy. In fact, very often the healthier
the child the more violent the reaction. A less healthy child may
emerge from the illness with a " damaged lung." Similarly, if
a child is treated badly and reacts by behaving badly, he is
maladjusted. His behaviour may, however, be both justified and
healthy. If the particular strain is removed he may return to
normal and acceptable behaviour. Another child, either because
of inherent defects or because of the nature of the strain to which
he has been exposed, may develop a " damaged personality,"
and in his case only prompt and expert assistance will avert chronic
and progressive mental ill-health, the worst effects of which may
not be seen until adult life.
Disposal.
One of the important tasks of the Child Guidance Clinic is to
provide " treatment." Treatment comprises two elements : (1)
relieving the strain (which in simple maladjustment may be
sufficient), and (2) undoing as far as possible the damage done to
the personality. In practice these elements are combined. The
severity of the case is estimated in terms of the extent and reversibility
of the damage to the child's personality. Treatment,
therefore, consists of no set routine applicable in every case,
but must vary from simple and " common-sense " measures to
intensive psycho-therapy or, if need be, to admission to hospital.