THE CLUMSY CHILD: OBSERVATIONS IN CASES REFERRED TO THE GYMNASIUM OF THE ADELAIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OVER A THREE‐YEAR PERIOD

Abstract

Group treatment of clumsy children is one part of a multidisciplinary management programme which is provided at The Adelaide Children's Hospital for children who have multiple handicaps. This study reviews 176 children who were referred for treatment. Clumsiness was the most common reason for referral. Not all children benefited from group treatment, and those who had significant degrees of mental retardation, or mild spasticity worsening on effort, needed individual handling. Movement training aims mainly to reduce physical clumsiness, and it is hoped that certain non‐specific benefits may result. The greatest improvement occurred in the ability to mix with others. Group counselling of parents, with a social worker as leader, is considered to have played an essential part in the management of these children's problems.