The Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-04-28, Page 7Confer
BY JOANNE
BUCHANAN
A conference on the,
prevention and early in-
tervention for develop-
mental disabilities in
children attracted about 130
professionals and other
interested persons to the
Goderich Township hall last
Wednesday.
The day -long conference
was sponsored by the South
Huron and District
Association for the Mentally
Handicapped in co-operation
with the CPRI Infant
Stimulation Program and
the Huron County Board of
Education. It concluded that
more public awareness and
greater use and coordination
of services available within
the county could minimize or
even prevent many
GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 198Z—PAGE 7
nee on children's developrnentai disabilities attracts 13
disabilities.
The- morning's :program,
featured talks by four
professional resource
people. Dr. Ronald Christie,
an assistant professor with
the Department of Family
Medicine at St. Joseph's
Hospital in London, gave a.T,
presentation dealing with the
bio -medical causes °which
have the potential of
producing damage to the
newborn.
Dr. Barry Hoffmastcr, an
associate professor with the
Department of Philosophy at
Western University, spoke
on ethical issues associated
with various prevention
techniques such as genetic
screening and • am-
niocentesis.
Dr. Graham Chance, a
professor with the Depar-
tment of Paediatrics,
.Obstetrics and .Gynaecology.
and , chairman of the
National Coalition for
Prevention of Handicaps,
gave data which indicated
that about 50 per cent of
physical disabilities and 15-
20 •per cent of mental
disabilities occur before
birth and /hence are
preventable through ap-
plication of current medical
knowledge. He advocated
compulsory immunization -
for such diseases as rubella
(German measles) which
are known to cause damage
to the fetus.
Dr. Barry Evans, a
registered psychologist and
director of the Home Visiting
Program for Infants with
CPRI in London, was.the last
speaker of the morning.
In Huron County, a Home
Kathy Ryan, a speech pathologist from the Wingham Hospital; Barry Evans, director of the
Home Visiting Program for Infants; and Rosemarie Evans, home visitor with the program
in Huron County, discuss various aspects of the conference on Prevention and Early
Intervention for Developmental Disabilities which was held at the Goderich Township hall
last Wednesday. The conference attracted approximately 130 professionals and interested
persons (Photo by Joanne Buchanan)
Squares
complete
season
The .Goderich- Squares
have completed a very en-
joyable and successful.
season of ,square dancing.
The caller, Glen Patterson,
has guided the dancers
through the many
movements required to
achieve the mainstream
dancing level.
The club met every
Tuesday night from October
6 to April 27, 8 p.m. at Vic-
toria Public School. During
the year, members enjoyed a
club Christmas social event,
graduation exercises
evening and hosted an
everting of dancing, , which
was 'open to the Lucknow,
Clinton and Kincardine
clubs.
' The 1982-83 executive is:
presidents - Don and Irla
Stes art;', vice-presidents -
George and Carol Symons;
publicity - Murray and Lois
McGill; refreshments -
Marj. -Jackson; lunch con-
veners = Maxine and Allan
Johnson; . and decorating
conveners - Jim and Betty
Coulter.
If anyone wishes in-
formation about joining the
club, please call the
presidents at 524-8741.
•
FARMERS-
Get all the facts,
harvest bigger profits,
year after year!
FLEXDRAIN
otetIme Warranty
PIPE
Every farm
should reap the many
benefits of Dayrnond
Sub -surface Drainage.
DWR.
FARM 8i MUNICI'PAL
DRAINAGE gYSTEMS
R1tfR 4,1t ird / 2'714117
Visiting
Program m is
operating . under the dices
tin of r. Evans through
public health nurse visitor
Rosemarie Evans. Infants
who are considered to be at
high risk for mental,
physical or emotional
development because of
home environment or
physical ,or mental han-
dicaps, are visited regularly
and a specific program is set.
up for them to help prevent
and minimize problems.
The conference's af-
ternoon program featured a
panel discussion amongst
various Huron County
resource people. Early in-
tervention resources
currently available in this
area and the future
development of such , ser-
vices were outlined.
Dr. Leslie Rourke, a
general practioner from
Goderich, opened the panel
discussion by saying she felt
the family physician was in
the best position to detect
possible developmental
delay in children.
"I'm the one who should be
detecting such things and I
feel it's important for me to
know about all the services
in the county' so that 1 can
recommend them to
parents," she stated.
She said that prior to a
child's birth, the mother
-should—have- good medical
care with regular visits to
the doctor and her rubella
and RH status should be
checked. She explained that
access to specialists in
London and a well-trained
nursing staff at the time of
delivery were . both very
important. She noted that
there were two intensive
care units in 'London` for
newborns and that one was a
mobile ' unit which could
come to • Goderich if it was
too dangerous to transport.
the newborn to London. ,
After a child is born,
regular visits to the doctor
should continue. Dr. Rourke
explained that her office has
a `well -baby flow sheet'
which helps her look for
specific things each visit
including not Ponly physical
problems but di t, home
safety and parent in-
teraction.
Laurie Paquette, a Huron
County Public Health Nurse,
spoke on services available
through the health unit. She
said pre -natal classes were
important for parents and
that recently ari early bird
program was started in an
attempt to reach expectant
mothers in the first three
months of their pregnancy or
even those women con-
templating pregnancy. The
dangers of drinking alcohol,
smoking cigarettes and
taking drugs during
pregnancy art 4 emphasized
in these classes.
Once the baby is born,
public healthpurses visit the
mother in hospital and at
least once at home to in-
struct in such things as
nutrition, stimulation
development and accident
prevention.
The health unit is now
trying to start classes for
parents of newborns to give
them on-going instruction
and support as their children
develop.
In the schools, the, health
unit offers rubella screening
to girls and has started
several life-style programs.
Sheila McCaffery,
supervisor with Huron
County's Family and
Children's- Services,. said
most people think of her
agency as.a place to contact
when a problem has already
occurred. However, she said
the agency likes to become
involved with families .before
a crisis occurs.
"Our prime 'focus is
prevention and of course, we
are • involved in protection
too," she said. .
She explained that the
agency offers a program for
unwed mothers; a program
for infant stimulation;
parent groups to teach
parenting skills; an alter-
nate care worker who goes
into . homes and works with
families during their daily
routines; volunteers who can
look after children to give
parents a break; and special
CKSTYLE:.RIECKSTYI
IE�STYLE.TIE
Say Happy Mother's Day
With A Special Gift
From Rieck Pharmacy
Rediscover tenderness
with Anais Anais.
Indulge her
romantic sensibilities
this Mother's. Day
' with a
beautiful coffret
in soft grey velvet.
Eau de Toilette (50 ml. spray)
Soap Coflret (100 g.)
Only $19.95
We carry a wide selection of fragrances, cosmetics and•fine
gifts. Make this Mother's Day a Special one for your
Mother with a gift from Rieck Pharmacy. Our friendly
and helpful staff will be happy to advise and
assist you with your Mother's Day
purchases. Take advantage of
our Free Gift Wrapping Service
....on request!
1114.113111•Alko
tM
Phar mac
14 SHOPPERS SQUARE
-GODERICH-524.424 1
built-in programs for
children with disabilities.
She—said- her -agency would
like to go into the schools and
let students know about the
services they offer,
especially to unwed mothers.
Kathy Ryan, a speech
pathologist who works out of
the Wingham FTospital,
explained that her role is to
assess and treat com-
municative problems. She
said that speech pathology is
a relatively new service in
this area which she is trying
to promote. Many children
with speech problems must
now travel to London for
treatments.
Ann Klungel, president of
the South Huron and District
Association for the Mentally
Hanidcapped, explained that
her organization has an
office open daily which
people can call for in-
formation and referral to
other agencies.
Sheila Clarke, coordinator
of student services with the
Huron County Board of
Education, said the board
believes` ealrly identification
of learning problems in
children is critical. She
explained 'thattan interview
is given to each child prior to
kindergarten. Those con-
sidered to be at high risk for
problems are given a more
detailed interview after
enrolling in school. The
parents, teacher and student
-serv-ices-personnel-then-wriest--.
to discuss the best type of
program for this student.
i
"In support of research
suggesting that early
identification 'and.= -.in .
tervention are critical for
children with learning dif-
ficulties, Dr. Bette
Stephenson, Minister of
Aif WAIN
Education, has made early
identification an integral
part Att Bill 82, ..landmark._.
legislation in special eud-
cation," she explained.
She said special education
for students includes small
classes with specially
trained teachers. There are
o . three 801990.. for mentally
e-
mentally handicapped in
Huron County which are
integrated into regular
elementary schools.
Making
changes
to a
watercourse?
The waters of rivers, streams and creeks belong to everyone.
Improper use of the watercourses which carry these waters may
result in the following?
- irrigation and drainage problems for neighbours
- destruction of aquatic and wildlife habitat
- reduced recreational opportunities
- erosion and flooding problems
Whenever permanently flowing watercourses are to be altered in
any way including damming, diverting, and channelization,,
Federal and Provincial - laws require that the approval of the
Ministry of Natural Resources be obtained..
As a first step in planning any work on a watercourse, contact us.
Our staff will be glad to discuss possible design and layout alter-
natives which will minimize future problems for you, your neigh-
bour and public in general.
Ontario.
Natural
Resources
District Manager,
_illlirtiatry.Qi_Nottic LRattoutcoll,,
R. R. M 5 Wingham, Ontario
NOG 2W0
MOTHER'S DAY PLATES - $12."
AND MATCHING
CUPS and SAUCERS $9.95
'MORE TO CHOOSE FROM
tA,a�vr,xwennru
wet I,�Ngr.•
Flaws.r A.. v..
fottl
There's sure to be one in our collection that's suitable
for most any room In the house. Specialty verses and
unique wood and copper wall plaques.
LARGE SELECTION OF MOTHER'S DAY CARLTON
CARDS ..GIFTWRAP
YQuality Loather For Mother
NEW COLOURS -NEW STYLES
LUXURY IN LEATHER
SPECIAL
Mother's Day
Floral Mug
MADE IN ENGLAND
REG. $3 99
•4.011 •
LIMITED QUANTITY
• THE BEVERLY HILLS DIET by Judy Mazel
• THE WHITE HOTEL by D.M. Thomas
• NOBLE HOUSE by Jams Cleve!!
•GORKY PARK by Martin Cruz Smith
*OFFICERS WIVES by Thomas Fleming
•CENTURY by Fred Mustard Stewart
*COVENANT by James Michener
•MASTERING PAC - MAN by Ken Uston
*ORIGINAL SINS by Lisa Althen
• THE CARDINAL SINS by Andrew M. Greeley
*GOODBYE JANETTE by Harold Robbins
• A PERFECT STRANGER by Danielle Steel
*NEVER -SAY -DIET by Richard Simmons
•BRIDESHEAD REVISITED by Evelyn Waugh
THE COVENANT by James A. Aillchener
Adventurers, scoundrels and missionaries. The best and worst of two con-
tinents carve an empire out of the vast wilderness that Is to become South
Africa. For hundreds of years, their rivalries and passions spill across the
land.
NOBLE HOUSE by James Cloven
A super blockbuster - a brilliant story that spans the history of Hong Kong -
the heart of Asia - rich In every trade --- money, flesh, opium, power.
THE BEVERLY HILLS DIET by Judy Mazel
Lose weight by •eating the, foodh you love ---
oven cheesecake, corn an the cob, pizza and
,lee cream. Includes meal.. plans, recipes, main- -.
tenant• diet.
Y
SHOPPERS' SOLI. ARE, GODERICH