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THE EXETER HOME‐VISITING PROJECT: THE PSYCHOLOGIST AS ONE OF SEVERAL THERAPISTS *
Author(s) -
RAYNER HEATHER
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2214.1978.tb00066.x
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , multidisciplinary team , psychology , multidisciplinary approach , unit (ring theory) , medicine , nursing , psychiatry , social science , mathematics education , sociology
Summary Ten years ago Honeylands in Exeter was the chronic care children's ward of a district general hospital. The consultant and matron regulated the use of Honeylands for residential relief by handicapped children, a development suggested by a parent. Two hundred children now receive residential relief whenever requested by parents. All types of handicap are represented — social, environmental, physical and mental. Playgroup began with five children in 1970. There are now four levels of playgroup, and 60 children participating. Individual therapeutic work, originating with physiotherapy in the late 60's, now extends to several therapeutic disciplines and includes nursery nurses under the direction of psychologists. New cases are identified as early as possible, and a multidisciplinary team including all disciplines and some volunteers each takes individual responsibility for new children and their families. The home therapist is selected according to the special needs of the particular child. Developmental work at home in the family thus precedes the introduction to Honeylands. A detailed description is made of the home visiting project from the viewpoint of the developmental psychologist. Awareness of the global impact of handicap on families, and some limitations of expectations for developmental therapy in very young handicapped children, have become clear. The entire family unit must be comprehended and considered before developmental intervention can be effective.