Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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CHILD GUIDANCE SERVICE.
The Medical Directors of the Child Guidance Clinics, Dr. Robin Higgins, M.A.,
M.B., B.Chir., D.P.M., and Dr. Agnes Main, M.B., B.S., report as follows:—
Dr. Robin Higgins—
In the course of the year 100 new cases were referred to the Richmond Child
Guidance Clinic of which 41 were seen by the psychiatrist. In addition, during the
year 27 cases were given a period of regular intensive and/or group treatment and 21
maintained on a less frequent supervisionary basis. In all, 141 cases were seen. Of
the new cases the patterns of incidence were as follows:—
No. | |
---|---|
2—3 yrs. | 3 |
4—7 yrs. | 36 |
8—10 yrs. | 30 |
11—13 yrs. | 19 |
14—154 yrs. | 12 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Parents alone or in conjunction with another person, e.g. Head Teacher or Family Doctor | 16 |
Head Teacher | 13 |
Family Doctor | 15 |
School Medical Officer | 39 |
Probation Officer | 4 |
Children's Officer | 4 |
Hospital | 6 |
Miscellaneous | 3 |
TOTAL | 100 |
The nature of the problems dealt with covered children's overt responses to
external pressures (including anti-social or delinquent activities, poor work record,
regression or withdrawal) and conflicts that were predominantly confined to the child
(of a psychotic or near psychotic and psychoneurotic type).
In addition there was a small group where we were primarily concerned with
counselling the family about an individual child's symptoms that were not necessarily
abnormal and about environmental changes including the prospects and tensions of
leaving school.
Dr. Agnes Main—
During the year the work of the Twickenham Child Guidance Clinic has continued
without any major change. The numbers of referrals remain at a relatively steady
level, and our main aim continues to lie in providing help for the sick child and disturbed
family relationships. Close contact is maintained with Oldfield House School
for Maladjusted Children, and an interchange of visits between the Staff and Clinic
members is regularly maintained. The number of children at the Unit for Autistic
Children at Athelstan House has increased, and when a second teacher is appointed
we shall be able to admit more.
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