View report page

autistic, spastic, brain damaged and otherwise disturbed
children; the aim being to bring them up to a standard
whereby they will fit ultimately into an appropriate special
school suited to their age and ability. 16 children from
the Division are placed there together with a number of
children from other Authorities. In view of the type of
child placed at the school it was arranged during the year
that one of the School Medical Officers should be responsible
for the medical supervision of the handicapped children at
Woodcroft. The school also has close association with the
Child Guidance Clinic.
Handicapped Pupils:
One of the most important duties of the School Medical
Officer remains the assessment of the handicapped pupils in
accordance with Section 34 of the Education Act 1944. This
is very interesting and often rewarding work which requires
considerabJe expertise to ensure that these children are
recommended to receive special educational treatment best
suited to their physical and mental condition. In the case
of children with more than one handicap placement can be
particularly difficult. 186 children were newly ascertained in West Essex
as requiring this treatment in 1966. 287 pupils in the
Division were receiving special educational treatment at the
end of the year, nearly half of them were attending residential
special schools.
From the 10 categories of handicapped pupils the problems
of the educationally subnormal stand out. They represent over
half of the pupils in receipt of special education and 47 out
of the 74 handicapped pupils awaiting placement.
Health Education:
The possible appointment of a Health Education Officer in
1967 to be shared between the West Essex and Harlow Health Areas
should prove of great assistance in the maintenance and extension
of health education programmes, both in schools and elsewhere.
Considerable health education at a personal level with
pupils and parents takes place at the time of routine medical
examinations and is one of the important features of the interview.
Time is available and allows discussion of a variety of health
topics which may be causing concern to the pupil or his parents,
or which the Medical Officer feels are particularly relevant from
the point of view of an individual pupil.
/Child
-16-