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PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED) CHILDREN. The general definition of such a child is
one who, by reason of disease or crippling defect, cannot be satisfactorily educated
in an ordinary school or cannot be educated in such a school without detriment to his
health or educational development. The treatment of tuberculosis in hospital
schools is now the responsibility of the Hospital Boards and complete information
relating to West Ham children could not be obtained. The following figures set out
the position regarding physically handicapped children in the Borough in the year 1949:—
Total number known to the Authority:
(Includes all children on register at any time during the year)
Heart Cases 32
Cripples 38
Miscellaneous 24
Physically Handicapped Children in Residential Special Schools and Hospital Schools:
Heart Cases 12
Cripples 12
Miscellaneous 2
Physically Handicapped Children in Day Special Schools:
Heart Cases 19
Cripples (non-tubercular conditions) 26
Miscellaneous 20
Out of school cases:
Heart Cases 1
Miscellaneous 2
Fresh Ascertainments during the year:
Heart Cases 7
Cripples 5
Miscellaneous 13
DELICATE CHILDREN. These are children who, by reason of impaired physical condition,
cannot, without risk to.their health, be educated under the normal regime of an ordinary
school. A few are suffering from some well-defined condition such as asthma, but the
majority present a general debility arising from various causes and requiring good food
and careful management to restore them to normal health. So far as possible these
children are sent for treatment to the Fyfield Residential Open Air School, near Ongar;
some are sent to convalescent homes, approved by the Ministry of Education, for long-term
cases. Figures relating to the admissions to Fyfield and to convalescent homes will be
found on pages 61 and 62.
The number of children ascertained as delicate during the year was 211, and their
disposal was as follows:-
Admitted to Fyfield 154
Admitted to other Residential 23
Special Schools
Refused to go away 17
On waiting list at end of year. 17
MALADJUSTED CHILDREN. These are children who show evidence of emotional instability
or psychological disturbance, and require special educational treatment in order to effect
their personal, social or educational readjustment. Such children are first investigated
and the diagnosis established at the Child Guidance Clinic. The special educational
treatment required is advised by the Clinic and often wholly or partly carried out there.
The number of children ascertained as maladjusted during the year was 21, of whom 3 were
in Residential Special Schools.
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