View report page

66
statutory and voluntary (e.g. Probation Service, N.S.P.C.C.) have
been strengthened. A considerable proportion of mentally handicapped
children come from the multiple problems families, and
the team approach practised by the Mental Health Service is now
accepted throughout the whole range of Social Services.
The medical and psychological assessment of young children
continues to be carried out in the child's home by the Senior
Medical Officer, Mental Health. Even if an Assessment Clinic,
mentioned in last year's report, is established, it is generally felt
that a home visit has so many advantages that it may well be
retained—for instance, for the first contact between the family
and the Senior Medical Officer.
Link with Hospital Paediatric Service
The liaison with Paediatricians working from local hospitals
has worked extremely well. With the efficient two-way traffic in
information, the knowledge of the child and his family can be
pooled, duplication avoided and delay in dealing with social problems
minimised. The Assessment Centre (Newcomen at Guy's
Hospital) is very prompt in sending their findings to the Medical
Officer of Health, often with the request for providing a particular
service, be it home help for the mother or play group for the
child.
Clinical Types of Subnormalsy
The Table below gives groupings by diagnosis of young
subnormal children.