THE PRESENT STATUS AND PROBLEMS ON FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S GUIDANCE ROOM AND OTHER GUIDANCE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY : PROPOSALS FROM A SURVEY IN S PREFECTURE

Abstract

The all records of 249 preschool aged children which had visited to O Family and Children's Guidance Room in S prefecture during 1989 to 1997 were surveyed and also the present staus of guidance services in S prefecture was investigated. 1) Totally 53 Family and Children's Guidance Rooms have been established in S prefecture by April 1999, but almost all counselors are part time and retired school teachers. The total number of complained case was 50,671 in 1997, and out of these, 16,913 cases are concerning their development and/or speech. Difference between the reported total number of cases and actual number of client was large, because every visit and complaint was counted as one case. 2) The reasons of visits among 249 children at O Family and Children's Guidance Room were mainly consultation on problems including enuresis which were pointed out at the health examination in their villages. 3) Several ideas are proposed for better activities of child guidance in the community. (1) The method of reporting system should be modified to easy to understand the actual status. (2) Adequate professionals including Maternal and Child Health field should be disposed to Family and Children's Guidance Room. (3) Collaboration between guidance centers including telephone counselling center should be reorganized for further efficient service system in the community.