ENLIGHTENED ATTITUDE TO RETARDED CHILDREN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29004, 19 September 1959, Page 11

ENLIGHTENED ATTITUDE TO RETARDED CHILDREN

The New Zealand attitude to the problem of the retarded child is an enlightened one. according to Brother Matthew of the Order of St. John of God. According to a supplied report of a luncheon address to members of the Canterbury Junior Chamber of Commerce Brother Matthew traced the history of the retarded child showing how the elements of suspicion and superstition had been dispelled, until today, when there was a real appreciation of how such children should be treated. In the four years during which the Marylands Home at Middleton had been operating, many interesting cases have been dealt with, he said. The home catered especially for emotionally-dis-turbed children. Most of these showed a normal level of intelligence but functional ability was in seme way below par. The first essential, said Brother Matthew, was to remember that these were children with all the needs of the ordinary child. As a residential school, Marylands not only helped the child, but helped relieve the strain on a mother, and eased the family stress that was usually evident where there was a retarded child. The restricted freedom of movement in such a family, the feeling of disappointment, tbe lack of a reason for the child’s condition—all these created stress even in a well-adiusted family.

The speaker described the different types of retarded children, including those catered for by

the occupational centres and the special classes. With a retarded child it was often necessary to demonstrate as well as teach. Great understanding was necessary and opportunity had to be found to provide a visual impact for the child. The recent tour for 15 of the Marylands boys to Wellington, arranged by the Canterbury Junior Chamber, had been the highlight of this year's programme for the lads concerned. Having travelled on the ferry, seen animals at the zoo and visited Parliament in session, the boys had gained an appreciation of matters that no amount of ordinary schooling could have achieved. The Superior of the Order, Brother John, sent an expression of thanks for the help which had been given by Junior Chamber members.