§ Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes have been made in the training of speech therapists since responsibility for the education of mentally handicapped children was transferred from health departments to education committees on 1st April 1971; and whether experience with mentally handicapped children is now included in the training of speech therapists.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe syllabus of training for speech therapists was revised in 1972 and again this year. So far as mentally handicapped children are concerned, the main change is that the latest syllabus includes a section on "Paediatric Neurology" with specific reference to mental handicap. In addition to this the "Psychology" section now makes special mention of
Psychological and psychiatric aspects of childhood disorders involving speech and language" and "the individual characteristics and psycho-social contexts of infancy, childhood, adolescence".The old and new syllabuses require students to observe and train a similar number of children and adults. I understand that all schools make arrangements for students to obtain experience with mentally handicapped children.