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29
Over 5 years Under 5years
Physical Defects:
Number of cases 51 28
Referred to Hospital 21 11
Discharged 14 8
Psychological Disorders:
Enuresis 18 —
Other — —
Referred to Hospital 7 —
Discharged 6 5
(h) Speech Therapy.—Treatment centres are provided at the
Old Education Offices, High Street, and at the Wingfield House
School. The arrangements of previous years have continued in
regard to the selection and reference of children for speech therapy.
Miss C. M. Borthwick, L.C.S.T., reports as follows:—
"Individual treatment and the parental escort of children to
the clinic has proved a great success. This is indicated by the
higher number of discharged cases this year. All children now
receive treatment for half'hourly periods and only seven have to be
transported. The new arrangement has been advantageous as
parents are able to follow the work in detail and are better able to
carry out home practice. Absenteeism has dropped from 23 per
cent. in 1955 to 15 per cent. in 1956. Holiday attendances have
improved, e.g., Easter 1955, 71 per cent.; Easter 1956, 84 per cent.
"Eleven children have this year been referred to the clinic
before reaching school age. Eight have been treated and two are
under observation. Only in one case was treatment not considered
necessary. Generally speaking an articulatory defect would not be
treated till four years of age, and then only if affecting more than
one or two sounds. A younger child would only be treated if
language development was also delayed and was not associated with
mental deficiency. Nevertheless I find it helpful to interview all
cases, as often the mother is over-anxious and is helped by a few
words of advice. All cases where treatment has been given have
made excellent progress."
Miss A. M. Hemmings, L.C.S.T., reports as follows:—
"1956 has been the first full year which the majority of
children have been brought for treatment by their parents, only a
few being transported. This step has proved most successful, since
personal contact with the parents has brought more cooperation
and in consequence additional useful information which would not
have been obtained at the first interview. Instructions for practice
have also been explained more fully. It was thought at first when
this project was under consideration that there might be an increase
in absenteeism, but actually the reverse has happened, as often
parents know of a forthcoming absence and so enable me to fill
the vacant appointment.