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all have settled well and progressed normally. One child who was
silent at home and outside when admitted to the Nursery at four
years old, gradually began to speak a little in the Nursery, and
eventually, on joining the ordinary admission class became one of its
most confident members. In November and December a considerable
amount of time was spent on the preparations for the opening of
the second Nursery at Mead School, Harold Hill, and the first
children were admitted in January, 1964.
During December also, preparations were made for the beginning
of the therapeutic group housed in the Manor School. This
group would ideally meet on Clinic premises as the treatment given
is designed for children who need the company of others to help
them towards improvement rather than individual treatment. The
therapeutic teacher in charge of the group is an experienced teacher
who is following a specialised course at the University of London.
A number of children were interviewed in schools between
October and December by an assistant educational psychologist
who is a post-graduate student at University College, London, and
who attends the Child Guidance Clinic on one day each week to
gain experience in the School Psychological Service, Clinic
Administration and Case Conferences.
Remedial teaching followed the same pattern as in previous
years with advice being given when necessary to the teachers of
the groups in the Junior Schools and continual discussions with the
two pari-time teachers in the Clinic. The educational psychologist
again saw eight particularly difficult cases who received a total of
167 lessons. One of these children who had specific dyslexia with
severe secondary emotional disturbance received very intensive
treatment. He was later admitted to a school near the Clinic where
the staff had previously assisted with a similar child who was treated
by one of the remedial teachers, and where constant observation is
possible.
Of the children referred to the Child Guidance Clinic, 117 had
their preliminary interviews with the educational psychologist for
Romford, but a few of these children came from other areas. Fortyfive
visits were made to schools to discuss the progress of children
attending the Clinic. Very detailed psychological testing, including
the Rorschach technique was carried out with nine children attending
the Clinic.
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