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39
16. HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
The following number of special examinations were carried
out by the medical staff in respect of the categories stated :—
(a) Blind
(b) Partially Sighted 2
(c) Deaf —
(d) Partially Deaf —
(e) Educationally Sub-normal 37
(f) Epileptic 3
(g) Maladjusted 4
(h) Physically Handicapped 4
(i) Speech —
(j) Delicate 21
Seven children were known to be suffering from diabetes and
all except one were at ordinary schools.
Dr. Poole has submitted the following report
"Arrangements for the provision of special educational treatment
for handicapped children continued to be most satisfactory.
For those suffering from mental or emotional handicaps the position
has improved considerably in the past year but much still remains
to be done for children in these categories.
"Wingfield House School for the Physically Handicapped,
Joseph Clarke School for the Partially Sighted, and the William
Morris Deaf School have all worked to capacity and while it has not
been necessary to defer admission (except for children under five
years of age) there is need to provide additional reception classes
at both the School for the Deaf and at Wingfield House.
"It is well recognised that whatever the handicap, the earlier
the age at which the child is brought under effective treatment and
training, the better is the final result. This is particularly true of
deaf children, who are being admitted at the age of three years or
even younger, but there is a good case for the admission of other
categories of physically handicapped children below the age of five
years as soon as additional staff and premises can be provided.
"Since the aim of the special school is to fit its pupils to return
to normal schools wherever possible, it is evident that an extra
year at the beginning, instead of at the end of school life, would be
of greater value in many cases besides providing very real relief to
the parents of severely handicapped children.