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"AT RISK" AND OBSERVATION AND HANDICAPPED REGISTERS
In recent years it has been increasingly recognised that many of
the ohildren who need special educational consideration in sohool and
support later in life acquire their handicapping conditions in the pre-natal,
neo-natal or post-natal periods of life. Those babies who have been
exposed to unfavourable heredity or adverse experiences during this period
are considered to be "At Risk", and a register is kept of these cases so
that they can be offered medical examination at regular intervals until
it is certain that their development is normal.
In addition the growing child may be placed at risk by accident or
illness occurring during child-hood. In order to ensure that each
handicapped child, even if suffering from only a minor defect, is assisted
to the extent necessary to make full use of ability a register known as the
"Observation and Handicap Register" is compiled. Children whose names
appear on this register are kept under special surveillance until 5 years
of age by medical examination and assessment of their developmental progress.
Social circumstances are also taken into account as home conditions and
attitudes, together with family relationships, may make a significant
contribution to progress. Close co-ordination of the work of various agencies
who are concerned with the well-being of the handicapped child is essential
and this involves close contact with general practitioners, hospitals and
voluntary organisations. The "Observation and Handicap Register" provides
the means by which this is achieved and, where necessary, ensures the future
provision of educational facilities suited to the child's ability.
From this diagram it can be seen how the register is compiled.
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