View report page

27
(g) Speech Therapy.—Treatment centres are provided at the
Old Education Offices at High Street and at the Wingfield House
School. The arrangements for 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:—
"As may be seen from the figures, the total number of attendances
at the clinic is higher than last year. The majority of children
attending are from primary schools and of these most are from the
Infants' departments. Indeed, only 16 per cent of the patients are
from secondary schools, and this is an indication of the value of
early treatment. Also, only 20 per cent of the patients attend for
treatment of a stammer, and this again suggests that preventive
work is done by treating young children suffering from dyslalia, a
speech defect which, if left untreated, is often associated with
stammering.
"Figures again confirm that speech defects are more common
amongst boys than girls, the former being 69 per cent of the total
number of children attending the clinic.
"Weekly visits to schools have been continued. Not all children
interviewed are taken on for treatment, but most are kept under
observation for a while in school if it is considered that treatment may
be required at some future date.
"Occasional home visits are also made, and all mothers are
interviewed at least once in the clinic. When necessary every effort
is made to interview fathers as well."
Miss J. A. Rasor, L.C.S.T., reports:—
"The total new entry for this year is almost double that of last.
Despite this, however, by the end of December the number of
children attending for treatment was considerably less than at the
same time the previous year. This situation has provided the
opportunity for approximately 20 per cent of patients to receive
treatment more frequently or for a longer period each session.
"As in previous years, regular visits have been made to the
schools; referrals subsequent to these visits have provided 75 per
cent of the new cases entering the clinic this year—a reflection of
the attention paid to speech standards at school. By comparison,
only 10 per cent of new patients were referred as a result of parents'
concern or interest in speech.
"The unusually high number of patients re-admitted after
discharge is accounted for by the fact that four of them were
re-accepted after defaulting or being withdrawn before treatment
was completed. Of those patients under observation at the end of
1957, one defaulted, two recommenced treatment, three were kept
under observation for a further period, and five were found to be in
no need of further treatment.
"Latest additions to clinical equipment are a sandtray and
tools, and a painting easel, both of which are providing valuable
scope for play and expression work. This apparatus has proved of
particular benefit in the treatment of the increased number of preschool
children now attending the clinic."