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11
It will be evident that the total new cases seen included some
children referred in 1952 also, and treatment of cases referred in
previous years is, of course, maintained. The majority of the children
seen were of Junior School age. It is hoped that in future our largest
group of referrals will come from the pre-school and Infant school groups,
since most problems have their roots in the earliest years of the child's
life. The range of symptoms for which children are referred is extremely
wide - some of which are listed below;-
Acute aggressiveness, temper tantrums, lying, pilfering, excessive
timidity, passivity, stammering and speech difficulties, feeding problems,
educational difficulties and learning Inhibitions, bed-wetting, soiling,
delinquency, truancy, anxiety state, fears and phobias, obsessional and
hysterical symptoms and psychosomatic symptoms such as asthma, vomiting,
eczema, tics and epilepsy."
I have now had ample opportunity to evaluate the work of the Child
Guidance Clinic both In relation to education in particular and family
life In general. There can be little doubt that teachers and pupils alike
have received considerable assistance from the observations, examinations,
tests, advices and special statistical analyses which the Educational
Psychologists carry out in relation to the work of the schools.
As key members of the psychiatric team in the handling of individual
and family problems their work has often played the leading role In
elucidating problems and effecting a cure. It can truly be said many
children have been spared the mantle of delinquency or even criminality
which would have fallen on them but for the timely and able intervention of
the Child Guidance Clinic.
I have been Impressed by the earnest wish of the Educational Psychologists
totatch 'em young" before feelings of guilt, fear and anxiety overburden the
developing mind and stultify Its potential. At this stage, too, wrong handling
by parents and teachers can warp the personality and this tragedy is
eminently preventable.
A good deal of opinion Is expressed of matters psychiatric by persons
who are not in a position to judge the merits or demerits of the work. This
class of detractor base their views on what Is popularly described as
'common sense'. Would such persons attempt to advise a diabetic on diet and
regimen guided only by similar principles of common sense? The results
might well be disastrous.
In both cases much study and research are needed to prescribe a satisfactory
course of therapy and a new way of life. In both instances
therapeutic principles are followed In an endeavour to help the patient,
and in both, common sense has prevailed and ended its task with the patient
being presented to the therapist for elucidation and action.
In conferences and private gatherings I have heard some medical
officers and well-informed laymen scoff at the work of the child guidance
clinic. I would remind you that Jenner was rediculed for his life-saving
theory and practice of vaccination, yet to-day his Is the only world-wide
preventive method employed against small pox.
I believe large numbers of our children suffer from wrong handling by
parents and, to a very much more limited extent, by teachers In schools.
1 firmly believe the child guidance clinics up and down the country
are only touching the fringe of preventive work which could obviate much of
this warping of the personality and mental illness which overtakes numbers
of our young people.
I feel their activities should be extended until such time as the