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SPEECH THERAPY.
Therapists working in the Borough during 1971 were: —
Miss Kathleen Buckman (Senior — Full-time).
Mrs. Mary Pletts (Full-time).
Mrs. Lesley Prout (Full-time until September; Part-time September
to December).
Mrs. Mary Hughes (Part-time).
Mrs. Pleonie Tooley (Part-time until September).
Mrs. Jennifer Kay (Part-time from September).
During the year, 338 children attended for treatment at one of the following clinics
or special schools:—
Child Guidance Clinic, Twickenham;
Windham Road, Richmond;
Kings Road, Richmond;
Mortlake;
Essex House, Barnes;
Ham.
The special schools visited regularly were:—
Oldfield House Infant;
Oldfield House Junior;
Clarendon E.S.N.;
St. Hildas E.S.N.;
Strathmore Road Junior Training School
(Strathmore Day Special School as from 1st April, 1972).
In the Autumn, Mrs. Hughes who treated children at the Strathmore Day Special
School, increased her sessions from three to five visits each week. Almost every child
would benefit from special therapy, but only a certain number can be admitted and owing
to the slow progress of these cases discharges seldom occur.
After the Summer term, visits to Athelstan House Autistic Unit were discontinued
as it was felt by the speech therapists that unless these autistic children were visited daily
the majority would not benefit from treatment. Since the Autumn, a few parents have
brought their children to one of the clinics in the Borough and this has seemed to be a
more satisfactory arrangement.
During the year much work has been done among pre-school children. Parents have
brought those of pre-school age to a clinic for advice and help. Day nurseries have had
frequent visits, special care being given to watch children likely to need help in the future.
Talks to parents have taken place at day nurseries and much preventive work can be done
during a child's formative years.
It is of course preferable to see children at a clinic but in some instances those who
would not attend regularly have been treated at school where accommodation was made
possible by the kindness of head teachers. There has been good co-operation between
staff and therapists.
As in past years students from Speech Therapy Training Schools attended regularly.
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