HEALTH NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 June 1927, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES

. BACKWARD CHILDREN ADVICE TO PARENTS (Contributed by the Department of Health.) A few children are sooner or later recognised by their purculs as being slower in mental development than others. When compared to their normal brothers and sisters, their progress its infants and children is noticeably relarded; they arc slow in recognising sights and sounds; in sitting up, in erawling, and walking; they do not attempt the activities of a normal infant, but seem content to be in a state of lethargy. In somo eases such children with" careful training may "catch up" mi (heir more rapidly blossoming brothers and sisters, but often their lack of development persists and their intelligence even in adult life remains much the same as that of a child.

The stage to which these children can advance depends to some extent upon their early training. It is. important that they should receive all possible education at school, but it is still more important that, they should bo given such home training as will fit them to become successful members of the community. For this purpose they must be taught not only to care for themselves and their own requirements, but also they must learu that the other people with whom (hey come in contact have certain rights which must receive consideration. This essential part of the training of any child naturally falls upon tin; mother. The greater necessity for such training of these backward children is only equalled by the infinitely greater difficulty with which they are taught. Pcrservcrance and patience on the part of the mother are necessary from the earliest years.

PARENTS' INFLUENCE

To parcuts who arc willing to expend the extra time and trouble some suggestions may bo of value. Firstly, make sure that all physical defects are treated. A child that is mentally "unfinished" is also more liable to suffer from physical disabilities, poor digestion, constipation, malnutrition —which tend to accentuate the mental backwardness. Therefore constant attention must be given to matters of diet, sleep, fresh air, suitable clothing, rcguhir habits, condition of the teeth, nose, and throat, etc. Knowing the milestones of a normal infant—that is to say the ages at which it first takes "notice," holds up its head, walks, talks, etc., the mother should note whether her child seems definitely backward in these respects. Does the baby seem to be lethargic and lacking in initiative—when another of the same age would be exploring everything within reach—seeing, feeling, tasting? If so, encourage him day after day, in these activities, give him toys to feel and play with, colours to interest him, sounds'and music to attract his ear.

Now. too, is the time to watch carefully for, and to immediately check, the formation of any bad habits, such as banging the head against the cot, rocking; backwards and forwards, making peculiar movements or indulging in fits of screaming. A determined effort must be made from the very first to train the child in cleanly habits. If sufficient time and patience is expended, failure is unnecessary. "Any child," says a leading authority, "excepting the lowest grade imbecile, can be taught to be cleanly."

As the child grows older, everything he is able to do for himself, he must be • encouraged in—dressing, doing up buttons and ties, washing and brushing. Difficulty arisas from the fact that these children are clumsy, forgetful, easily distracted, and 'infinitely slow in doing the smallest task. A mother running a household with its multitudinous duties, finds it so much easier to "do the. job herself"—to dress the litle one and to sit him out of the way like a piece of furniture. When she does this, she deprives her child of most valuable training and education. Whatever lie can do, he must do, but do not let the task be too hard—so that failure is inevitable

JUDICIOUS ENCOURAGEMENT

With perception of, and pride in, his duty towards himself—it is necessary for the growing child to realise that there are others in the world whom it should be his desire and pleasure to help. Tf he can assist mother in tidying, drying the dishes, dusting or bringing in the milk bottles, he will feel that he is adding his small contribution to the happiness of the home. Continuous occupation is needful With the simple tasks that they have earned to do well these children'can b» busy and occupied, happy to do over and over again work which a normal child would soon find uninteresting and irksome. Especially useful i, work involving exercise and control of the hands, s„eh as knitting; Crochet, etc which though labouriouslv learned prove a great source of occupation and' pleasure.

The defective speech which so often accompanies mental backwardness may »e due f„ a vß r j ct y of causes. Sonic inies it ,s due f„ lack of muscular control of the tongue and lips. Encoura?e the child to use his lips in blowing "toy trumpet or whistle. Poetry and •»w singing of simple tunes will'often minrove backwardness of speech Punishment will be found in n.os' <.'<*os fo be 0 f l.ttlc value. A child who J; abourmg at a task, simple enough, l>"t to him ot the greatest difficulty ccramly will not find that a slap or a scolding increases his capabilities. Ocasiona y a sharp word of reproof or a '•apon (he hand may be useful CS p Gc i a i: y ni the correction of an incipient bad hab, |n .ovi,lcd the child understand' rliiectl.v for what he is being punished Above aI. never discuss the child's defects in l„s hearing. He will take far more notice of a remark made to a third person m his presence than he Mil of the same remark addressed di--I'c to himself. Once he feels that he s d.lleren .' that he is expected to be slow, and that failure is a foregone '•one ..sum. he j 8 beaten before the start. „vc him task's that are nor, too easily pertorn.cd, so that exertion is necessary; but not so hard as to discourage bun. the n]o ther contributing patience, judicious encouragement, and praise lor a (ask successfully complef.

I'c dlfheult.es. the bad (rails, f|„. ««* "I good habits which in older .'•or* are almost hopeless (o deal with si.ceesslnlly. .arise in the majority of cases Iron, lack of (raining in the rarlv icars fins deficiency, unfortunately, usually occurs not from unkindness or mrlecf but• trptn misplaced parental olie.tude which drives („ assist ",* protect the weak and handicapped one <• Hie family -and instead deprive, him the esse. ,a Is of |,is social traininand liimk-rs Ins adaption to ! 's ' fr-p