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Special Observation/Handicap Register
During the latter half of the year a scheme was instituted whereby any child
whose general progress was in doubt or who appeared to be at especial risk of developing
a handicap was included in a register. This register enables special care to be taken
to ensure that these children, above all others, will be observed at regular intervals
and appropriate help and advice given where necessary. Previously, other registers of
"at risk" groups of children had been tried but were not found suitable or adequate
for the purpose. The present scheme is based more on clinical identification and due
to its very nature will be more selective than formerly.
At the end of the year, 207 children under five years of age had been identified
as requiring special observation whilst 115 children had been classified as having a
definite continuing physical and/or mental handicap. There will undoubtedly be more
young children living in the Borough in these categories since the extensive task of
considering every child will take some time to complete.
Early Detection of Deafness
In order that children who have a hearing loss may be detected as early as possible,
routine hearing tests are performed by the health visitors and clinic doctors from the
age of six months.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
(See page 55).
Child Health Clinics
At the end of the year, there were 12 child health clinics. (For location of clinics
etc. see map inside the cover at the end of the report). One clinic has 6 sessions a week,
two have 3 sessions a week, 7 have two sessions a week, 2 have one session a week.
To augment the above the arrangement made with Surrey County Council for the
use of its mobile clinic was continued. Five sessions in alternate weeks are held at sites
in Hampton, Twickenham and Whitton.
For details of attendances etc. during the year, see page 25.
Developmental Assessments
During the past two years it has become possible to offer to children attending the
clinics a short screening assessment of the child's general development and progress.
This is in accordance with the Sheldon report of 1967 and recommendations of the
Department of Health and Social Security.
These assessments have a number of aims:—
(1) To identify as early as possible any deviation from or abnormality of development
that could lead to continuing disability.
(2) If such a deviation is found to institute further investigation and/or treatment
in conjunction with the family doctor, parents and others concerned.
(3) To identify any child at special risk of abnormal development and ensure
that progress is observed at regular intervals.
(4) To help parents to understand the principles of child development in general
and of their own child in particular.
In relation to the last point it is worth noting that many mothers have shown great
interest in these screening procedures and have been anxious to discuss how they can
best help their child's general progress appropriately.
The routine assessments are carried out six-monthly during the first two years of
life and thereafter at yearly intervals until the child enters school. This involves
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