§ Mr. Beanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to alert general practitioners, head teachers and school psychiatrists of the problems of educating hyperactive children.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe responsibility for issuing advice to head teachers and school psychiatrists rests with individual local education authorities. My Department has not issued guidance to local education authtorities on the education of hyperactive children. Advice to general practitioners is a matter for my 707W right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.
My right hon. Friend and I are aware of the problems of children suffering from hyperactivity and of the need for further research into a variety of approaches to the medical treatment of this condition. I understand that the Department of Health and Social Services would be ready to consider assisting any soundly based studies.
§ Mr. Beanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many places exist in special classes specifically designed to cater for the needs of hyperactive children in the education division which corresponds to the Medway health district.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonI understand from the Kent local education authority that classes are not specifically designated for hyperactive children, but that the authority provides for these children in a variety of ways in special schools or special units according to their individual needs.