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the achievement of the children in our classes at present is below 25# of ability. In
fact, most of the remedial work is at present carried out with children from 8 to 11
years whose achievement in reading and writing is practically nil. In order to select
the children in most urgent need of remedial classes the Educational Psychologist started
group testing of children in the backward classes of schools within easy access of the
remedial classes centres. So far, this has been carried out in two schools only, but
the results of the tests have been significant in-as-much as it showed that out of 46
children tested 15 were of probably E.S.N, level and 5 well above average, one of these
of very superior ability (I.Q.IJO), One has to remember, however, that group testing
cannot be considered strictly accurate, and that the 20 children at both extremes will
have to be given individual tests on both Verbal and Performance Scales to get a more
accurate assessment in order to place them in schools and classes that would be most
conducive to their fullest development.
This obviously, would entail time completely out of proportion to the six sessions
available for all the Educational Psychologist's different activities as enumerated above.
The growing confidence in the value of the Educational Psychologist's work by the different
referring agencies can be seen from the fact that apart from the number of general
referrals to the clinic, the number fbr psychological testing only is 88 this year as
against 29 last year.
The importance of mere Educational Psychologist's time to meet the demands of
the Borough can therefore not be overstressed. The minimum needs are at least one fulltime
and one part-time appointments.
The shortage of staff not only of psychologists, but of child therapists and
psychiatric social workers hampers the further development of the prophylactic function
of the clinic.
The enforced neglect of this aspect of the work detracts greatly from the total
effectiveness of the organization. Where the principles of mental hygiene and the
factors that contribute to maladjustment are understood by school teachers and parents,
mental ill-health is discouraged, incipient difficulties noticed and dealt with early,
and the general quality of co-operation from school and home improved. Experience at
this clinic continues to support the view, now generally agreed, that the Child Guidance
Clinic should do as much for the prevention of maladjustment as for its recognition and
treatment.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY OP ACTIVITY OF CHILD GUIDANCE CLINIC
STAFF:
Consultant Psychiatrists
T.P.Riordan, M.D., D.P.M. {Medical Director) 4 sessions weekly
Geo.Somerville, M.D., D.P.M. 1 session weekly
J.E.Glancy, M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.M. 1 " "
Educational Psychologist
Mrs.Nathan, Dip.Psych., A.B.Ps.S. 6 sessions weekly
Psychiatric Social Worker
Miss Mayne, B.A, (Full-time)
Secretary
Mrs .Peters (Full-time)
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