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107
Accepted in principle before the outbreak of World War II in 1939,
the first appointment was made of a psychologist, though it was
not until ten years later that the child guidance team could be
appointed in full Events in Hornsey in establishing a child
guidance centre moved rather faster, the first educational psychologist
being appointed in 1944 and the child psychiatrist in
January 1948.
Vale Road School for Physically Handicapped Children
Cerebral Palsy Unit
I am indebted to Dr. William Dunham for the following report
on the year's work.
"As in previous years, special provision has been made at the
Vale Road Special School for Physically Handicapped Children for
children with cerebral palsy ("spastics"), who accounted for 27 of
the 94 children in attendance. Although this special provision
is made necessary because these children differ as regards ease of
movement from normal children in other ways they are normal.
They are driven by the same emotions. They have the same interests
and ambitions. These are forces which can be used in their
training whether in ordinary school subjects or in ordinary everyday
activities both at school and at home. Finding out the
exact training needed by a child may call for medical skill,, but
training itself is the job of the parents and the teachers. In
providing for children with cerebral palsy, therefore, parents,
teachers and doctors must all collaborate.
At the school, medical guidance is provided by a consultant
who attends weekly arrangements have been made for a school
medical officer also to attend. Parents are advised how best to
help their children at home methods of helping the children at
school are discussed with the teachers, whose care is supplemented
by the services of a whole time therapist For swimming help is
given by pupils of the South Grove Girls School Domestic science
instruction is provided at the Markfield Secondary School Woodwork
and metalwork for the boys is in abeyance owing to lack of an
instructor.
Much of the early training in movement of the child with
cerebral palsy should of course, be completed before the child
reaches school, and for this reason arrangements have been made
for parents to bring their children to the school for advice
before they reach school age. During the year, 13 pre-school