Ancillary Services
School Nursing
School Nursing Services are an integral part of the school program, ensuring that student medical needs are met and the disruption of school routines and activities is minimized. School nurses provide direct care to the students as well as provide training to professional and paraprofessional staff to assure competency in medical procedures carried out in the classrooms and other school areas. Training is provided in medical procedures such as:
- Respiratory treatments
- Flushing feeding tubes
- Monitoring and assessing seizure activity
- Assessing and administering first aid as needed
- Preparation, monitoring and administering of medications
The school nurse participates as a member of the classroom team by communicating medical issues and needs and how these may affect educational programming.
Positive Behavior Support
Behaviors, even when they are challenging or confusing, can be understood as a result of careful observation, record keeping, and analysis. Once behaviors are understood, they can be modified based on the needs and desires of the student whose behavior is of concern. When a student displays problematic behaviors that interfere with the ability to learn, the student is referred to our behavior specialist for a behavior analysis assessment. The behavior specialist’s role is to:
- Observe the student, the environment, and activities
- Gather data regarding what seems to set off or calm difficult behaviors
- Suggest appropriate changes and interventions
- Analyze the data and success of interventions as well as troubleshoot alternative interventions if needed.
- Interventions that encourage self-control and the development of task-related behaviors are necessary for success and acceptance in both the school and community.
There are numerous approaches designed to reduce problematic behaviors with students. By involving the behavior specialist, the classroom team can develop a positive set of techniques to manage behaviors and improve outcomes. Interventions may range from:
- Behavior charts with stickers
- Changes in an environment that may be creating sensory overload or undue frustrations
- Addition of a visual schedule
- Changes in lighting
- Extra warning time before transitions
Vision
If a student is identified as having more significant vision needs, Easterseals Western and Central PA (ESWCPA) requests a review for a need of special vision services through the student's IU or home school district. The IU or school district determines if a need exists and if so, they will arrange for and provide vision support services. The Easterseals team collaborates with vision services to incorporate their recommendations and solutions throughout the school environment.
Hearing
If a student is identified as having hearing loss, ESWCPA requests a review for a need of special hearing services through the Intermediate Unit (IU) or student’s home school district. The IU or school district determines if a need exists for special hearing services and arranges for assistive devices or other solutions. Once recommendations are provided, the Easterseals team collaborates to incorporate those solutions throughout the school environment.
Family Support Services
Social Services
Social workers provide supportive services that assist in the improvement of the social, educational, medical, and psychological functioning of our students and families. As the collaborative link between home, school and community, social workers function as family advocates in respect to individual education plans and special education rights focusing on the best interest of the student. Confidential individual, family, and group counseling is available to families as needed. The Social Services department also provides information and referral services to our families and the greater community.
Parent Group
Monthly parent groups provide opportunities for parents to meet and share experiences related to parenting a child with these types of needs. The parent group addresses such topics as meeting the educational needs of a child with disabilities and advocacy issues. Guest speakers are enlisted to discuss these and other issues identified and requested by Easterseals families and staff such as:
- Behavior management
- Educationally relevant toys
- Total communication systems
- Future school placements
- The grief process
Sibling Group
Sibling group is a place to meet other children who have a brother or sister with special needs. The goal is to provide siblings with the opportunity to discuss, share, and problem-solve common concerns, feelings, and situations that are unique to the siblings of children with special needs. In sibling group, children have fun engaging in games, crafts, and food, while sharing their feelings and learning accurate information about disabilities. Sibling groups are open to children ages 5-12 who have a sibling with special needs. Groups are typically held every other month at our school sites during the school year, and are approximately two hours long. Sibling groups are run by social workers in conjunction with school program professionals from other disciplines.
For additional information concerning social services or the support groups, contact Amy Wineman at 724-387-1287 ext. 4 or awineman@eastersealswcpenna.org.
