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60
A special Speech Class was started in April 1954 for
children with the severest defects who would benefit by
continuous treatment. The teacher in this class has special
experience and interest in the subject and the Speech
Therapist visits three times weekly. Twenty-five children
have now received this form of treatment, Most were un
intelligible on admission and their speech has been so
improved by the time of discharge that it has no longer
been a significant handicap
A speech defect presents a considerable problem both
to the child concerned and to the parents. The outlook of
course varies with the type of defect. Stammering is prob
ably the most irresponsive to treatment whilst in the
case of dysialia rapid improvement can be expected. Over
all the results achieved during 1956 have continued to be
gratifying.
EALING CHILD GUIDANCE CENTRE
1 New cases referred in 1956
In 1956 243 cases were referred to the Centre 64
cases were brought forward from the 1955 waiting list,
making a total of 283,
2 Problems referred to the Centre.
The average intelligence quotient of the children re
ferred in 1956 does not differ significantly from that of
the previous year There has been almost no change in the
numbers coming from different types of schools. There is
a barely significant increase in the average age: probably
because the number of pre school children has decreased.
There has been little change in the frequency of
various symptoms referred Children difficult to manage
at home continue to head the list.
In 1956 for the first time since the opening of the
Centre, fewer cases were referred than in the previous
year.
Rather more cases were discharged from treatment in
1956 than in 1955 and it is satisfactory to be able to
report that there was an appreciable fall in the number
awaiting treatment in 1956,