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SPECIAL FORMS OF TREATMENT
(a) Audiology Service
The early diagnosis of children with partial hearing is
essential and the great majority of cases are diagnosed by hearing
screening tests before the child begins school. Those children
initially referred on account of speech defects which may be associated
with partial deafness have a hearing test by the audiometrician
before speech therapy is commenced and all pupils have a further
screening test during their second year at school. Those children
who show any defect in hearing are referred to the school medical
officer who decides whether it is necessary for them to be referred
for further investigation and treatment.
Since the more serious cases of partial hearing are detected
before school age, only a small number of school children are seen by
the audiologist. The total number seen for the first time in 1965
was 25. Appropriate treatment was recommended by the audiologist.
In cases where there is a severe loss of hearing the pupil is referred
to an ear, nose and throat specialist and a decision made regarding the
supply of a hearing aid. In a small number of cases the pupil is considered
sufficiently handicapped to require special educational treatment at a
partial hearing unit or special school for the deaf. In the less serious
cases it may only be necessary to request the head teacher to make certain
that the pupil sits near the front of the class and in those cases with
loss of hearing in one ear, be placed with the good ear towards the teacher.
The co-operation of teachers in this respect is much appreciated.
11 new cases were supplied with hearing aids during the year 1965 and a
total of 48 pupils are registered as having been so fitted. The total
number of children seen by the audiometrician was 2,433 of whom 200
were found to have defective hearing of varying degree and referred
to the school medical officers.
(b) Child Guidance Service
The Child Guidance Clinic is situated at 25 Worcester Road, Sutton.
Until 31st August, 1965 the service was shared with Surrey County Council.
There is a national shortage of specialist staff for child guidance clinics
but it was possible to maintain a full service by the employment where
necessary of part time staff. The child psychiatrist has been supported
in her work by a psychotherapist, educational psychologists and
psychiatric social workers and has maintained a close contact with family
doctors, head teachers, child care officers etc.
The education psychologists devote part of their time to the
School Psychology Service paying routine visits to schools and part to
work in the child guidance clinic. Pupils are referred to them from
three main sources:-
(a) By the child psychiatrist.
(b) By the Principal School Medical Officer for the ascertainment of
educationally sub-normal children and those children who are
thought to be unsuitable for education at school.
(c) By head teachers of children who appear to be of average or above
average intelligence, but who are retarded in one or more subject,
in some cases due to emotional problems.
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