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143
Audiology Service
The two reports in this section are worthy of special attention.
They represent the forward thinking and planning of the Committee
through its officers to provide full assisted education for the child
with impaired hearing.
Two assistant Medical Officers now include as part of their
duties special responsibility for this service and for developing it
both clinically and administratively. There is established a complete
system for early detection at pre-school or earlier of deafness
and for the concentration of aid to the deaf child in classes, special
units and at an audiology clinic to complement the work of
peripatetic teaching.
There is full co-operation with the Welfare, Speech, Psychological
and Special Hospital Services in making a total assessment
of the problems of each child with impaired hearing; and in these
developments there is full co-operation with neighbouring local
authorities. The report shows how the precious skills of scarce
Teachers of the Deaf have been utilised, if necessary, on a temporary
part-time basis to bring maximum help to these children.
School Psychological Service
The continued progress of this Service is shown later in the
report. The diversification of duties which each year's account
brings out now approaches in character that established by the
national questionnaire referred to in the Summerfield Report on
Psychologists in Education Services. In view of the national shortage
of skilled workers in this field which is reflected locally the
work of this section is greatly to be commended.
Special Day Schools
The reports on the activities of the three Special Day Schools
for educationally subnormal children show how well the children
are being fitted for employment and independent lives. All children
have opportunities to learn to swim either at the school or at
a neighbouring school bath. Education progress in school is
checked by frequent psychometric tests and success in employment
after leaving school is ensured through selection of employment
and supervision by the Youth Employment Officers.
Each school has strong links with the neighbourhood and
through sport and other activities strong links with each other.
Physical Education
The second report on this subject shows the exciting cooperation
with the National Recreation Centre at Crystal Palace
which has developed as a natural result of the situation of this
centre in relation to the borough. This co-operation included an
investigation of the value to secondary school children of many