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Defective Vision and Squint.—During the year 1937, 15 children attending the Special
Schools were found to be suffering from errors of refraction (including squint). They were all dealt
with under the Authority's scheme. Spectacles were prescribed for 15 children. Eight obtained them
under the Authority's scheme, and 4 otherwise.
Defects of Nose and Throat.—During the year 5 children attending Special Schools received
operative treatment under the Authority's scheme, and 1 received operative treatment apart from the
Authority's scheme. Four children received other forms of treatment.
Orthopaedic and Postural Defects.—During the year 39 children attending the Special
Schools were treated; 3 of these received residential treatment with education, under Section 80 of
the Education Act, 1921, and 39 non-residential treatment at an orthopaedic clinic under the Authority's
scheme. In addition 8 children received residential treatment with education under the Special
Schools vote.
Following-up.—During the year there were 170 Special School cases referred for following up
with the view of medical treatment being obtained, remedial measures carried out, or other action
taken.
Work of the Willesden Branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association, 1937.—
153 new cases were referred to this Association during the year, 33 of these being referred by the
Willesden Health Department. The majority of the patients were suffering from anaemia and debility.
In addition 1 surgical appliance was supplied.
Stammering Children.—There are three classes for children suffering from stammering and
other speech defects, held twice weekly at Bridge Road, Carlton Vale and Chamberlayne Wood Road
Schools, and conducted by a qualified teacher. The class at Carlton Vale School consists of boys,
and the classes at Bridge Road and Chamberlayne Wood Road Schools include both boys and girls.
Each class lasts one hour and there is accommodation for 10 children. Cases of stammering and
other speech defects are referred to the Health Department for examination as to their suitability for
admission to a stammering class. After a period of treatment before discharge from the class, the
child is re-examined at the Health Department and has to satisfy the Medical Officer as well as the
special teacher before he ceases to attend. Cases of stammering are followed up for two terms after
they have ceased to attend the class, through the Head Teachers. Should a child relapse and the
stammer recur, he is re-admitted to the class for further treatment. The attendance of children at the
stammering class is not for any specified period of time, as experience has shown that some children
may be cured after a few months' treatment, while others need to attend for a much longer period.
Child Guidance.—Children who may be described as "difficult," "maladjusted," "unmanageable,"
are referred in the first instance to the Health Department for examination and, if
suitable, are then referred by the School Medical Officer to the North Western Child Guidance Clinic,
Sheldon Road, Cricklewood, for further investigation and, if necessary, treatment. In March, 1935,
the Education Committee, with the subsequent approval of the Board of Education, acceded to a
request from the North Western Child Guidance Clinic to recognise it as a school clinic for child guidance,
and to pay to it a fee of 10s. 6d. for the first investigation of a case, and 2s. 6d. for each subsequent
attendance of the case for treatment, this arrangement to pertain in the first instance for a period of
twelvemonths. At the end of the first twelvemonths a report on the working of the arrangements was
sent to the Board of Education and stating that the Council proposed to continue to send school
children to the Clinic. The Board of Education in reply gave their approval to the proposal.
Table No. 30.—Corresponding to Table III. of the Board of Education's Medical
Statistical Tables.
Return of all Exceptional Children in the Area.
This Table is compiled from the list of exceptional children as it stands on the last day of
the calendar year. No child is entered under more than one heading.
Blind Children.—A blind child is defined by Section 69 of the Education Act, 1921, as one who
is "too blind to be able to read the ordinary school books used by children." This definition covers
some children who are totally, or almost totally, blind and can only be appropriately taught in a school
for blind children, and others who have partial sight and can be appropriately taught in a school for
partially sighted children. Only the first class are included in this section.
At Certified Schools for the Blind 4
At Public Elementary Schools —
At other Institutions —
At no School or Institution —
Total 4
Partially Sighted Children.—Entered in this Section are only children who, though they
cannot read ordinary school books or cannot read them without injury to their eyesight, have such
power of vision that thev can appropriately be taught in a school for the partially sighted.