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Apart from the cases mentioned in the statistics, I have
visited Grange Road Special School once a week to give treatment
to certain physically handicapped children who are unable
to travel to the clinic. Although the work here is slow, I feel it
is necessary to give these children as much help as possible.
Visits have also been made to the homes and schools of
the children. The results of treatment depend to a great extent
on the co-operation of the parents and teachers. My thanks are
due to all those who have shown an interest in the work and
helped to make progress possible.
CHILD GUIDANCE. Child Guidance work is a comparatively
recent development in the Service. It has as its aim the
investigation and treatment of children with the following
problems:—
(1) Nervous disorders, comprising such conditions as fears,
shyness, day-dreaming, depressions and emotional instability.
(2) Habit disorders, comprising such conditions as speech,
and food disorders, incontinence, restlessness.
(3) Behaviour disorders, comprising such conditions as
truancy, delinquency, aggression, temper and unmanageability.
(4) Intellectual difficulties, other than those arising from
mental deficiency, which is not a proper subject for this
Service: they comprise such conditions as educational
retardation, special disabilities and children needing
educational guidance.
The work is closely woven with many other sections of the
Authority's medical and educational service, and the ground
which it covers has been given in some detail, as the work of
the clinic is not sufficiently well known. A complete physical
examination is made of the child by the school doctor; if necessary,
the child is referred to the children's department of a local
hospital for specialist opinion. A special report is obtained
from the head teacher of the school in all cases. The problem
may then be investigated by all members of the team at the
clinic, which consists of a Psychiatrist, a Psychologist and a
Psychiatric Social Worker. Diagnosis is made, treatment is
guided or given, and progress assessed by the Psychiatrist.
The Psychologist undertakes the testing of intellectual and
educational abilities, assists with treatment and gives skilled
coaching in cases of educational retardation and special disabilities.
The Psychiatric Social Worker makes a study of the
child's home environment and of the personal relationships which
exist between the child and his parents. The following report
has been received from Dr. G. Somerville, the Medical Director
of the Clinic: —
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