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SPASTIC UNIT
This Unit, opened in June 1954, is a specially designed single storey building
in the grounds of Elizabeth Fry Special School of which it is a part. In addition to
the children in the nursery class of the Unit, a large number of pupils from the parent
school attend for treatment in the large appropriately equipped physiotherapy room, and
also in the speech therapy section. During the year three West Ham and 11 children
from other areas all under the age of seven years were in the Unit. In addition
children attended the Unit as out-patients. Of these 7, two were from other districts.
Fourteen children were receiving physiotherapy and 7 children speech therapy.
PUPILS SUFFERING FROM SPEECH DEFECTS
These are pupils who, on account of defect or lack of speech, not due to deafness,
require special educational treatment. Children suffering from disturbances of speech
need only be formally ascertained as handicapped pupils if the disability is so great
that they need special educational treatment, i.e. some modification of the educational
regime as distinct from medical treatment. One child was ascertained during the year.
The other children attend their appropriate schools and receive treatment in the Speech
Clinic.
DELICATE PUPILS
To this category belong children suffering from such conditions as asthma,
bronchitis, debility, poor physical condition, anaemia, chronic catarrh. In view of
the improved condition of the children the number of pupils ascertained as "delicate"
has been gradually declining. This year the number was 10, of whom 7 were admitted
to residential open air schools maintained by outside authorities, and three were
on the waiting list for suitable vacancies.
CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE DEFECTS
Children handicapped by more than one defect often present serious problems both
in assessing their medical condition and mental ability as well as in arranging suitable
education. There are very few schools which specialise in the education of children with
multiple disabilities. There is an acknowledged need for further provision, which can
only be made on a national basis, since no authority is likely to have a large number
of children with any particular combination of disabilities. We have at present five
such children in West Ham who have been formally ascertained.
A girl aged 12 years. Physically
handicapped and educationally
sub-normal.
A girl aged 15 years. Physically
handicapped and partially sighted.
A boy aged 12 years. Physically
handicapped, partially deaf and
maladjusted.
A girl aged 15 years. Blind and
educationally sub-normal.
A boy aged 13 years. Blind and
educationally subnormal.
At Elizabeth Fry Day School for
Physically Handicapped pupils.
At Burton Hall Special School.
At The Heritage Craft Schools
and Hospitals, Chailey, Sussex.
At Condover Hall School.
At Condover Hall School.
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