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Schools.
Fewer schools were visited this year as visiting sessions became
utilised for treatment but regular contact has been maintained by
telephone with Heads of Schools who are attempting to help their
own speech-defective children by carrying out exercises given by
the Speech Therapist. The Speech Therapist has made several
visits to schools on request—one session a week being reserved for
this purpose since September.
Play Group for Pre-School Children.
During 1949 the Speech Therapist was able to give much more
time to consultation with the mothers of under-fives and in January,
1950 a play treatment group was started at Mattock Lane Clinic for
children between the ages of three years six months and five years.
The group meets for eighty minutes twice a week and never
contains more than eight children at any one time.
Since it began in 1950 twenty children have passed through the
group and a summary of these cases is given below :
4 came with no speech (Aphasia). (1 was discharged as satisfactory,
3 are at school and receiving individual treatment).
2 had a language of their own (Idioglossia) (both are now at school
and receiving individual treatment).
9 mixed, or missed out, all consonants (Dyslalia). (7 were discharged
as satisfactory, 2 are at school receiving individual treatment).
1 had paralysis of the tongue and soft palate (Dysarthria), (is now
at school and receiving individual treatment).
2 stammered. (1 is discharged as satisfactory, 1 still needs
treatment).
2 were eventually proved of very low intelligence, and sent to
Residential Schools.
Thus, out of twenty, nine children were discharged, two were
found to need residential schooling, and nine started school still
handicapped.
These children were drawn almost entirely from the Mattock
Lane area on the recommendation of the Medical Officers, Health
Visitors and Child Guidance Centre. In the near future it is hoped
to extend this form of pre-school treatment to the Greenford area.
In 1952 50% of the group started Primary school completely
free of speech handicap. 25%started with dyslalia but could make
themselves understood. One child was kept in Play Group for one
term after he was 5 and then started school with adequate though
limited speech. One started with little speech but continued to
have weekly treatment and was speaking normally by his 6th year.
Staff.
We were sorry to lose the services of Miss Sorby in July but
Mrs. Webb, her successor, has quickly picked up the threads and
made satisfactory progress with the children in the Laurel House
area.