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98
of assessing the educability and educational needs of all known
cases as soon as this could reasonably be undertaken; lastly,
that each epileptic child should receive special consideration as
to employment needs at the school -1 eavin g medical examination, and
for the young person to consult the Youth Employment Officer with
a view to registration as a Disabled Person where this is thought
to be necessary,.
The British Epilepsy Association arranges an annual holiday
for those epileptic children whose parents cannot make other
arrangements for them to have a holiday. Through the school
health service two children from this Area were nominated and
accepted, and spent two weeks holiday at Eversley Hall, Brackley,
Northants,
Physically Handicapped Pupils
During 19 55 work was begun on the new medical unit at the
School for Physically Handicapped Children, Vale Road, Tottenham.
When completed this will consist of a medical examination room
(both for routine inspections and for diagnostic interviews),
an orthopaedic room and a room for speech therapy In the past
all this has been done in one room.
Dr. W.F Dunham, Medical Director of the Spastic Unit
at the School, gave a talk to the medical and health visiting/
school nursing staff in May on the early diagnosis of cerebral
palsy. The spastic unit is completely full and Dr. Dunham has
submitted the following account of progress in this field:-
Out of the total of 93 pupils at the school, 27 have
cerebral palsy, and of these only five now receive treatment outside
the school.
As always, our aim has been to obtain from each child,
through the collaboration of all who in any way influence his
behaviour, the best performance of which he is capable. "Therapy"
therefore must mean that teachers, instructors and parents, as
well as therapists must appreciate what are the child's physical
capabil i ti ess and must so enlist his interest and, where necessary,
so help him, that his achievements are the best possible to him at
that time. In this, there has been a most happy collaboration
between teachers, instructors and medical staff. Where appropr
iate, the children take part in woodwork, metal-work, cookery and
swimming For school work, furniture of exactly the right size
• for each child has been made, and this is altered as necessary as