CHILD WELFARE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 160, 9 July 1935, Page 12

CHILD WELFARE.

USE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS,

NEW ZEALANDER'S WORK

Dr. J. Wyman Pilclicr, professor of psychology and education at the University of British. Columbia, is at present on a visit to Auckland. She, is on her way South to visit relatives in Otago. Dr. Pilcher was a graduate of the Otago University and after spending a number of years in the States, went to British Columbia where she has been in the University there, for the last nine years. Apart from lecturing on the subjects in which she has specialised, Dr. Pilcher takes a great deal of interest in social service work. Her contribution to the progress of social life is made by bringing her academic knowledge to the use of those workers in the various departments organised for the betterment of humanity. "There is, in Vancouver," said Dr. Pilcher this morning, "what is called a Child Guidance Clinic. It is supported by the Government and every problem case with which we come into contact in the schools or anywhere else, is sent to this clinic. Here, there is a psychiatrist and an assistant, a trained psychiatric worker and a psychologist. The children arc examined in every way, mentally and physically, and it is then and only then that the case is dealt with. Also, every child committed to the industrial school is always examined first, by experts." Search for Environment. There was also, said Dr. Pilcher, a Children's Aid Department. Under that department, those children who had no parents or whose parents were not able to mind them properly, were sent to the clinic, examined, and, after the right environment had been decided for them, they were sent to foster-homes. Everything possible was done for the children. In the school system, too, special classes were set up for various cases of retarded development or mental defection. The Family Welfare Department was another excellent department, which looked to the harmony of family life. If a family was not getting along successfully or if there was not sufficient money, the department took over the reins. Dependent children were cared for and mothers' pensions were arranged. A feature of the whole scheme was. that all these different departments were now being linked up. The co-ordination of the special departments with Government departments was a wonderful thing and their working together was undoubtedly bringing about results. Psychology had a definite place in America, said Dr. Pilcher. All medical students were forced to study it, and law students, nurses and teachers all had it included in their curriculum. The psychologist's opinion was invited on all sorts of matters. By epychoiogical methods those people who needed lielp were given assistance by experts who mderstood human behaviour.