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THE OBSERVATION AND HANDICAP REGISTER
In recent years it has been increasingly recognised that many
of the children who need special educational consideration in school 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 childhood. In oder 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.
Prom this diagram it can be seen how the register is compiled.
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