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100
Cerebral Palsy
Dr. William Dunham, Consultant in charge of the cerebral palsy unit, on
his appointment early in the year, immediately sought the co-operation of all
concerned. A meeting at which all parents of children with cerebral palsy
attending the School were invited was held at the Lordship Lane Medical Centre
on the 4th August, 1954. Teachers, school medical officers and medical
auxiliary staff also attended and general principles were fully discussed with
Dr. Dunham as leader of the team. Those who have the care of the spastic
child were reminded by Dr. Dunham that "in any child during his formative
years every activity serves to fix more firmly habitual positions and habits
of movement of the body. In the child with cerebral palsy there is a natural
tendency for those to be faulty and a constant watch must therefore be kept
to see that good habits of posture and movement are formed For this the
co-operation of all in contact with the child throughout the day must be
obtained. Periodical interviews with parents to discuss individual problems
are held and advice given as to what provision is required in the home. In
the School new furniture, built to measure for each child, is being provided.
For children with cerebral palsy some activities are difficult or impossible
and special training is required to ensure that they shall make the most of
their possibilities. This is the special province of the physiotherapist
though here too she works in close co-operation with teachers and parents, an
arrangement which makes it possible for progress to continue uninterrupted
during school holidays" When accommodation is available it is hoped to
widen the scope of the cerebral palsy unit by providing for the examination
and supervision of babies and children too young to be accepted in the School
so that they may receive the benefit of skilled handling before reaching
school age.
The majority of the children attending this School suffer from orthopaedic
handicaps and are under the supervision of the visiting consultant,
Mr. E. Hambly, F. R. C. S., who also works closely with Dr. William Dunham in
relation to the cerebral palsy unit. Routine medical care of all the
children at the School is undertaken by one of the whole-time school medical
officers and a school health visitor is in daily attendance. Physiotherapy
and speech therapy are arranged for on a sessional basis as required.