The Comprehensive Observation Scheme
Developmental screening services
Observation of children over the age of five and the School Medical Service
Screening services for school children
Tu-disciplinary
ssessment
Tomarovement of Assessment services
working in a dusty environment (screening for silicosis and asbestosis) and for those working in an unusually noisy environment or under conditions which might adversely affect their vision.
3.7
A Comprehensive Observation Scheme provides routine observation for all infants from birth to the age of five. Special observation is provided for infants who are considered to have a greater than average risk of developing disabling conditions. The main objective is to ensure that all congenital or acquired defects are discovered, and remedial action taken as early as possible, in order to increase the chances of restoring full function. The Medical and Health Department will introduce such a scheme in 1978-79. Coverage will be gradually extended until all children in this age group are included.
3.8
Additional staff will be recruited to provide developmental screening services in 17 part-time centres which do not at present provide such services. By 1981, developmental screening services will be provided in all maternal and child health centres. The Medical and Health Department will increase publicity to encourage mothers to bring their children forward for screening.
3.9
Children, whose disabling conditions have been confirmed, will be referred to the appropriate agency or unit for expert medical treatment or rehabilitation. Others with unidentified defects or borderline impairment will be re-assessed periodically at the assessment clinics. In this way, it is unlikely that any disability will escape notice. 3.10 For those over the age of five, screening programmes organised by the Educa- tion Department will be available in the schools. Those children who participate in the School Medical Service Scheme will be provided with regular medical surveillance.
3.11 Since a disability may occur to a child of school age, the Education Department will extend the coverage of the existing audiometric, vision and speech screening and group testing programmes so that, eventually, all primary students will be provided with screening services at the appropriate age. The tests used during the screening and testing sessions will be standardized and improved.
3.12
Audiometric screening. The Education Department aims to extend this to all primary 1 students by 1981. The practicability of introducing a second screening thereafter for primary 6 students will be considered later.
3.13 Vision screening. The Department aims to extend the services to all primary 1 students in 1978. The need for a second screening thereafter will be considered later. 3.14 Speech screening. The aim is to extend the service to all primary 3 students as soon as possible, the main constraint being a lack of qualified staff for conducting the tests. The Education Department will train and employ additional staff in order to expand the screening programme from 1978. By 1985, the screening services should cover all primary 3 students. 3.15
Group testing programmes, which are needed to ensure that children with learn- ing difficulties are detected as early as possible, will be extended to primary I students in 1978. The possibility of extending the existing test at primary 3 level will be considered later.
3.16 The earlier a disability is identified and treatment is administered, the greater is the prospect of successful rehabilitation. On the detection of the onset of a disabling condition, a comprehensive assessment of the nature of the handicap, the potentials of the disabled and of possible treatment must be conducted as soon as possible. A multi- disciplinary approach will be adopted in the assessment of the disabled at all institutions where assessment services are provided, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres and educational assessment centres. In addition, two multi-disciplinary assessment centres, the first one in Kowloon and the second on Hong Kong Island, will be established within five years. The centres will provide a comprehensive assessment for anyone suffering, or suspected to be suffering, from any disability who is referred to the centre by a doctor, a teacher, a social worker or a rehabilitation worker. The assessment team will consider all the possible needs of the disabled person and draw up a tentative programme for his rehabilitation. A disabled person who needs further assessment or observation will be referred to an appropriate specialist assessment centre. The progress of his development will be monitored at the multi-disciplinary assessment centres and reassessment will be arranged where necessary.
3.17 In addition to the establishment of the multi-disciplinary assessment centres, specialist assessment facilities located in the various general and psychiatric hospitals,
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