London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Harrow 1972

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]

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The following table shows the number of children on the Register of Handicapped Pupils at the end of the year:-

Presidential Special SchoolDay Special SchoolOrdinary SchoolHospital SchoolAt HomeTotal
Blind6---28
Partially-sighted-91--10
Deaf-4--26
Partially Deaf3148--25
Educationally Subnormal12137---149
Epileptic2----2
Maladjusted1639-230
Physically Handicapped626511351
Speech1----1
Delicate51-!9-171

The problems associated with the rearing and education of a handicapped
child are manifold—so much so that, the earlier observation and
advice, and even treatment, can be instituted, the better the end result for
the child and very often for the parent as well. The whole exercise must
be a combined operation between parent, general practitioner, specialist,
local health authority and school health service personnel.
Registers of children who, because of some handicap may require
special education at a later date, have been kept for some time now. The
recently-instituted scheme for the notification to the Registrar General of
any malformations observed at the time of birth, plus the information
from the "At Risk" registers maintained of children who though apparently
normal are at risk of developing some handicap because of some adverse
factor during pre-natal, peri-natal or post natal life, will all help towards
this aim of early diagnosis and treatment.
Day Nurseries—Admission of Handicapped Children
In order to help in the work of rehabilitation of handicapped children,
admission to a day nursey is arranged in certain cases, in conjunction with
the Social Services Department.
The classes of handicapped children for whom these arrangements
apply are as follows:-