Dr. Floyd Skelton, a member of ffie board of the Association for Retarded Children of Greater New Orleans, said Monday night that a group concerned with handicapped children is exploring the feasibility of establishing a handicapped children's center here.
Dr. Skelton, at a meeting of the association at the Roosevelt hotel, said the idea was originated by Dr, J. D. Russ, president of the Louisiana Council for Handicapped Children.
Dr. Skelton said further discussions will be held regarding such a center for care and evaluation of handicapped youngsters and advice for their parents.
Dan B. LeGardeur, chairman of the association's membership drive reported a 250 per cent increase in membership over last year.
The president of the United Fund affiliate, Casper K. Nau-mann, said the membership increases "reflects in part a public recognition of the problem of mental retardation which strikes three out of every 100 children born."
"But much remains to be done," he added, "particularly in breaking through the area of timidity on the part of parents of retarded children. We know that as a statistical fact there are between 9000 and 10,-000 retarded children in the New Orleans area. This is a far cry from the number of known cases, however."
"We need to know who all the retarded children are so they can be helped," Naumann add ed.
Naumann urged attendance a a workshop for volunteers interested in aiding retarded children to be held from 9 a. m. to noon Aug. 25, 26 and 27 in the Community Chest building, 211 Camp.
