HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27634, 15 April 1955, Page 14

HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

CHRISTCHURCH CLINIC ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IN SOLVING PROBLEMS Christchurch has had for a year a clinic for the assistance of intellec-tually-handicapped children on the lines mentioned by the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie) in his announcement last week about the extension of such clinics and occupation centres in New Zealand. The purpose of such clinics is to provide additional professional assistance for backward and “difficult" children for whom ordinary classroom conditions have prowd inadequate. In some cases of educationally or intel-lectually-backward children, a straightforward psychological examination usually gives a guide to treatment, which may take the form of “differentiated schooling.” There are eight such special classes in Christchurch schools and moir in rural centres in the Canterbury Education Boards district.

‘lt sometimes happens that a child’s difficulties are more deeply seated and the recently-established clinic, with facilities for social, medical, psychological and, if need be, psychiatric examinations, ensures that the best possible help is given to children who have special problems in their school work and also in adjustment with their fellows either at school or at home" said an officer of the Education Department. The professional members of the Christchurch clinic are Dr Peter UnWin, a pediatrician; Mr A. B Allen, Education Department psychologist; and Mrs Ruth Goodlands, a trained social worker.

Already schools in Christchurch have accepted widely the expert advice available, and headmasters say that valuable work is being done in the prediction and prevention of problems through the consequent special attention at school and in the home. Some cases are found to have simple medical remedies, and the treatment recommended may be supported by the social worker guiding the parents on home conditions. Psychological examination in most cases enables advice to be given about entry to <ne of the special classes under -iceially-trained staff, where individual attention often permits the child eventually to rejoin his regular class. In a few instances

psychiatric advice may be sought. ~backward pupils are dealt with directly at school level by the class teacher in consultation with the headmaster, visitifig teacher, and the parents. But for those who require something more, the professional advice at the clinic has proved invaluable ® tlcplar ad v ant age being the availability of all the specialists necessary for comprehensive investigation of the problem. The Government’s new policy will extend the facilities for treatment.