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In many instances pre-school referral would obviate the necessity
for treatment at school age—and it is hoped that more children
under 5 years of age will be seen in the future.
The alterations of the Health Centre towards the end of 1962
has provided long-needed separate accommodation for the speech
therapy clinic.
In general the aim of the clinic is to equip the individual with
an adequate means of communication (speech) within his own
environment.
Treatment is planned to encourage confidence, alleviate anxiety
regarding speech inadequacy and to perpetuate a desire to overcome
the difficulty. Integrated with this is the actual teaching of, and
appreciation of, the spoken word.
Miss P. A. Older, Speech Therapist at Marks Road Ginic
Annexe has submitted the following report in regard to her clinic:—
The Speech Therapy service at Marks Road Clinic Annexe
showed considerable growth during 1962.
During the year 1,605 attendances were made by 104 children
—the sessions being mostly weekly, but occasionally twice weekly
Compared with a corresponding 5 month period in 1961 the
number of attendances increased from 443 to 802.
These children were referred by Medical Officers as the result
of School Medical Inspections; requests from various London
Hospitals; requests from Heads of local schools; direct request)
from parents and General Practitioners; and the therapist's visits
to the schools of the area.
An increase in the referral of younger children—in the
to 4½ years age group was noticed; although the greater majority
of the children were of Infant School Age; with a small proportion
from Junior and Secondary Schools.
The Infant School child is generally found to be the most respon
sive to treatment. Unless the speech difficulty is vei severe, speech
therapy with the pre-school child is not always advisable, as this
can cause 'speech consciousness' and unnecessary emphasising of a
difficulty which may straighten itself out during the first term
school, when stimulation is provided by other children, and the
School Teacher. If a speech difficulty is still in evidence after the
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