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91
Source of Referrals
Tottenham and Hornsey 3
Other Boroughs in Middlesex 11
London - neighbouring Boroughs 1
Vale Road School for Physically Handicapped Children
Cerebral Palsy Unit
The number of children at the Vale Road School for Physically Handicapped
Children at the end of the year was 94, of whom children with cerebral palsy,
poliomyelitis or heart disease accounted for rather more than 75%. The aim of
the school is, of course, to provide for each child so far as possible a normal
education under the special conditions made necessary by his handicap. For
such children, the requirements are normal schooling, medical treatment and
modified activity, and in many cases each of these can be treated as a separate
problem. The Consultant (Dr. Dunham) in charge of the children with cerebral
palsy comments that the normal schooling and modified activity - together with
out-of-school work and play - can all be "medical treatment", training in doing
things of everyday life in a normal way. In the school, therefore, the aim of
those whose special concern is with the 29 children with cerebral palsy is to
help the children to learn how to tackle normal tasks in a normal way, and advise
others how they also may do this. The team operates, therefore, in the classroom,
the playground and the swimming baths, rather than in a "treatment room". Girls
from South Grove School, who share domestic science, needlework and swimming
with children from the school, collaborate in the work. Parents attend for advice.
And, in order that normal habits of movement should be established from the
first, special provision is made for parents of children too young to attend even
the nursery classes to be given advice. The "medical treatment" provided is
thus a co-operative effort by parents, teachers, nurse, therapist and doctor to
carry out what may be called "training by the direct method". The Consultant
wishes to pay tribute to the keen co-operative spirit of all engaged in the work.
During the year advice has been given from the school on the management
of 22 pre-school children, of two children attending occupation centres and of
two children attending the Blanche Nevile School for the Deaf. Of the 22 preschool
children, three are in attendance at County Council Day Nurseries.