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HANOICAPPED CHILDREN
CATEGORIES OF HANDICAPPED PUPILS: SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL TREATMENT
The several categories of handicapped pupils requiring special educational treatment
*
were re-defined by revised Regulations made during the year 1953. The definitions are
quoted in the various sections dealing with the particular handicap. The early ascertainment
of handicapped pupils is one of the most important functions of the School Health Service.
The Education Authority is responsible for the ascertainment of all handicapped children
over the age of two years who require special educational treatment. As a general principle,
handicapped children attend ordinary schools provided they are able to profit by the education
offered, and that they do not disturb other children by their presence.
Children are not removed from their homes to residential institutions unless it is
considered they will clearly benefit from the transfer, or unless their presence in a day
school is prejudicial to other children. Previously, epileptic and physically handicapped
pupils were so defined as to imply that they could not be educated in an ordinary school.
In fact, many of these children can be educated in ordinary schools if special arrangements
are made or facilities provided to enable them to overcome their particular disabilities. As
few children are "ascertained" as physically handicapped there continued to be vacancies at the
Elizabeth Pry Special School.
Children who stammer or who have other speech defects are given treatment - usually once
or twice a week - at the speech clinic to which they go while attending ordinary schools. In
addition, the day special schools for educationally sub-normal and physically handicapped
children are visited by the speech therapists so that any children needing treatment may have it.
The usual treatment given at the speech clinics is not regarded as special educational treatment.
Advice on improvement of the arrangements for the special educational treatment of
physically handicapped children was given in Circular 300, issued on 23rd March, 1956. The
attention of local education authorities was specially drawn to the need for ensuring that
"regular and sufficient" physiotherapy and speech therapy are available for all physically
handicapped children who require these forms of treatment. Details regarding the categories
of handicapped pupils requiring special educational treatment are contained in the "School
Health Service and Handicapped Pupils Regulations, 1953", as follows:-
BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED CHILDREN. A blind pupil is defined as one who has no sight,
or whose sight is or is likely to become so defective that it requires education by methods
not involving the use of sight. Blind pupils must be educated at a special school unless the
Minister determines otherwise.
A partially sighted pupil is one who, by reason of defective vision cannot follow the
normal regime of an ordinary school without detriment to its educational development, but can
be educated by special methods involving the use of sight. In classing a child as partially
sighted both ophthalmic standards and educational needs are taken into account.
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