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SPEECH THERAPY.
The year 1972 was difficult owing to several changes of staff in this department.
Mrs. Pletts, who worked so efficiently in the Mortlake area for over five years, left
at the end of June for a teaching appointment in Birmingham. She was missed greatly,
but it was fortunate that Mrs. Bawcombe was able to succeed her without a break.
Mrs. Walker, who visited Clarendon daily during the early part of the year, left
at Easter for personal reasons and pupils at this school were still without treatment at
the end of the year.
St. Hilda's School and Essex House Clinic also had a lapse in speech therapy which
lasted several months, as Mrs. Kay, who treated children at Barnes, moved to Newcastle
in July.
Happily, by the end of the year all staff vacancies were filled, and it is hoped that
1973 will be successful in maintaining regularly the usual routine, which normally is as
follows:—
Sessions held at:— Child Guidance Clinic, Twickenham.
Windham Road Clinic, Richmond.
Kings Road Clinic, Richmond.
Mortlake Clinic.
Essex House, Barnes.
Ham Clinic.
Special Schools
visited regularly:— Oldfield House Infant.
Oldfield House Junior.
Clarendon E.S.N.
St. Hilda's E.S.N.
Strathmore Day Special School.
Many pre-school children were referred during 1972, mostly having slow development
of language and articulation. Parents were given advice and shown how to help
these children. In some cases so much pressure had been applied and anxiety shown at
home that children had withdrawn from talking. Such cases were seen frequently at the
clinic in order to lessen the family stress from which the children suffered.
During the year 34 visits were made to nurseries and talks on "Speech" were given
to leaders of play groups.
Schools (other than special schools) had 62 visits from speech therapists and teachers
were found most co-operative in observing children with speech difficulties.
There were 43 visits to homes of children who had been referred for therapy. Older
children frequently attend clinics unaccompanied since often nowadays both parents are
working. Good liaison between the homes of the children having treatment and the speech
therapists is essential for success. Progress, in most cases, is not possible without assistance
from parents, who need constant encouragement to keep up helping their children.
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