Occupational Therapy

We have two Occupational Therapists, Sam Lewis and Sarah Macintyre, working within the school on a consultancy basis for two days a week. Sam and Sarah have worked at the school for a considerable time and understand the needs of our pupils.

 

Occupational Therapy is vital to help pupils to get the best from their learning opportunities and to prepare them for their lives after school. The therapists work closely with pupils and members of staff to identify areas of need, in order to help with specific differences (such as handwriting, gross/fine motor skills, sensory needs), to help each pupil discover more about their own regulation needs and how to support them, as well as building their skills in and outside of the classroom, helping them to thrive.

 

The Occupational Therapists work with the pupils in class and on a one-to-one basis, to assess their needs and provide recommendations and advice that is incorporated into the pupil’s school day. This

approach means that therapy is not solely an ‘out of class’ experience but aimed at being integrated throughout the school day to ensure a holistic approach.

 

Speech and Language Therapy

The Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) team promotes and guides a whole school approach to developing speech, language and communication skills for all pupils at Grange Park School. The team works closely with teaching staff to ensure that there are frequent opportunities during the school day to practise and develop functional communication and interaction skills and develop pupils’ social understanding.

 

Approaches used include:

- Developing interoceptive awareness

- The Zones of Regulation

- Lego Therapy

- Autism acceptance and celebration, including our Understanding Me curriculum to develop pupil awareness of the strengths and needs and how to communicate these with others

- Self-advocacy work

- Individualised visual supports

 

We also recognise that some pupils may need additional input to our Universal offer. This may take the form of:

- Communication assessment

- Small group work

- Individual sessions

- Advice to school staff, parents/carers or other professionals working with the individual

 

A robust baseline assessment of each pupil’s communication, interaction and social understanding begins during transition into Grange Park and continues through their first term at school. This ensures that staff have a good knowledge of pupils’ strengths and areas for development. The assessment process includes parent interviews, questionnaires, SCERTS assessment and observations. The information gathered is collated into a learning profile that outlines strategies and approaches to supporting pupil learning and communication development. Pupils’ learning profiles are regularly updated to reflect their current strengths, needs and relevant strategies.

 

The SaLT team works closely with the Occupational Therapists and teaching staff during the assessment process and when developing interventions and strategies to support individual pupils.

 

Other important SaLT roles include:

- Regular staff training

- Developing and maintaining consistent visual supports across the school

- Target setting in collaboration with teaching staff

- Contributions to the Annual Review/EHCP process

- Contributions to Behaviour Support Plans

- Outreach to other schools and families