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A total of 5,419 children in primary and middle schools were
tested, of these 385 failed the audiometric test. In 1971, 6,421 children
were tested and there were 335 failures.
SPEECH THERAPY
There was some staff shortage in the first half of the year, but in
August a Senior Speech Therapist was appointed to be responsible
for co-ordination of the activities of the speech therapy staff. By that
time, a full establishment of speech therapists had been recruited.
Their effort was spread over seven clinics, two primary schools, three
special schools one assessment unit, two day nurseries and one special
language group at the Mitcham Child Guidance Clinic.
Developments that have resulted from co-ordinated activity of
this service have been concerned with the early referral and assessment
of pre-school children and, in particular, the physically and mentally
handicapped. In addition to the introduction of pre-school groups,
meetings have been arranged for parents to discuss language
stimulation and preventative work undertaken in alleviating parental
anxiety. School age intensive groups have been introduced in the
school holidays to reinforce the individual therapy carried out during
the school term. A special language group at the Mitcham Child
Guidance Clinic has been organised by an educational psychologist
and a speech therapist for observing, assessing and treating children
with severe language disorders. Sessions at Ravensbury Special School
have been increased to meet the demand for daily therapy in the
Assessment Unit and the main school.
Proposals for 1973 are to develop group therapy centred at the
Patrick Doody Clinic and Child Health Centre, the preventive
measures already begun, and to introduce speech therapy at the Senior
Training Centre.
Details of cases dealt with are given below:—
Number of sessions held: (a) for treatment 985
(b) for consultation 84
Number of cases on register at beginning of year 297
Number of cases added during the year 153
Number of cases discharged during year 174
Number of cases on register at end of year 276
Analysis of cases discharged during year.
Children who:—
Achieved normal speech 50
Were greatly improved 47
Showed some improvement 9
Showed little or no improvement 9
Left for various reasons 59
Analysis of cases treated during year:—
Stammering 40
Dyslalia 194
Dysarthria 6
Cleft Palate 4
Defects of voice 5
Aphasia 3
Dyseria 11
Retarded speech and/or language 139
90