Physical Therapy
Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) assist our students with physical disabilities to actively participate in and benefit from their educational setting. Physical therapists use their expertise in movement and apply clinical reasoning through the process of examination, evaluation, and intervention. Our physical therapists are part of a student’s classroom team and help each child to access and participate in school activities using such strategies as:
- Adapting toys for play
- Expanding mobility options
- Using equipment effectively
- Positioning during daily routines and activities
- Facilitating safety for the school, home, and community
Our school PTs and PTAs use evidence-based techniques to provide the following services as part of a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP):
- Developmental activities
- Movement and mobility
- Strengthening
- Motor learning
- Balance and coordination
- Recreation, play, and leisure
- Adaptation of daily care activities and routines
- Equipment design, fabrication, and fitting
- Tone management
- Use of assistive technology
- Posture, positioning, and lifting
- Orthotics and prosthetics
Physical therapists provide therapy both individually and integrated into the classroom and also in groups that may be co-facilitated by other classroom team members such as teachers, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Examples of these groups include: Sensory Motor, Yoga, and Courageous Pacers. The groups provide our students a fun and interactive way to work on motor, educational, and communication goals.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs) and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) help students facing physical, cognitive, or developmental challenges that affect their school performance, socialization, and health. The occupational therapists’ goals are to help children participate as independently and productively as possible so that their experience in school is a satisfying one. School-based occupational therapy assessment and intervention focuses on certain broad areas:
- Self-care skills (caring for self-needs such as eating, dressing, and toilet habits)
- Education (achieving in the learning environment)
- Play (interacting with age-appropriate toys, games, equipment, and activities)
- Social participation (developing appropriate relationships and engaging in behavior that doesn't interfere with learning or social relationships)
Specific skills targeted by occupational therapy include sensory processing and integration needs, fine motor control and coordination, visual-perceptual and visual-motor skills, all related to the broader areas listed above. Our OTs and COTAs provide therapy both individually and integrated into the classroom and also in groups that may be co-facilitated by other classroom team members such as teachers, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
Occupational therapists, in conjunction with speech-language pathologists, also address the feeding needs of students. Individualized interventions are developed to maximize functional eating and drinking skills.
Speech-Language Therapy
Student education in the school program is supported through the provision of methods and opportunities to communicate with peers and staff throughout the school environment. Our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) support student communication by providing:
- Direct and collaborative services within a variety of settings (classroom, speech room, special activities)
- Use of multi-modal communication systems (speech, pictures, speech-generating devices, sign language) with support from the Augmentative Communication Specialist using a “Total Communication” approach
- Family and community support and education
SLPs, in conjunction with Occupational Therapy, also address the feeding needs of students. Individualized interventions are developed to maximize functional eating and drinking skills.
Augmentative Communication: Research shows that the early and consistent implementation of augmentative communication systems enhances the possibility that students will develop more speech. Augmentative communication refers to any approach designed to support, enhance, or supplement the communication of students who are not independent verbal communicators in ALL school environments. A full-time Augmentative Communication Specialist (master’s level speech-language pathologist with specialized training and experience) supports the staff and family in the assessment, identification, and implementation of systems of communication designed to help the student have full access to educational opportunities. Using a “Total Communication” philosophy, augmentative communication system will vary in design and may include any combination of:
- Pictures (such as Picture Exchange Communication System - PECS)
- Speech generating devices (varying from 1 to multiple choices per page)
- Sign and gestures
- Eye gaze
- Switch selection options
