Speech Pathology
Speech pathology at Eastern Ranges School works to assist our students to access the curriculum. Our two full time speech pathologists work within a consultative model within the classroom to provide support to staff. This enables classroom staff to continue to support communication in a functional and meaningful way throughout the day.
Support is also provided though:
- Direct classroom consultation to classroom staff including: modelling recommended strategies, Individual Learning Plan support, support, etc.
- Parent meetings
- Device trials and maintenance
- Professional development sessions
- Development of assessment and teaching resources
- Contribution to curriculum and policy development
The Speech Pathology team at Eastern Ranges School support the scope of current recommendations from Speech Pathology Australia. Speech pathology service provision for individuals with ASD should be flexible and dynamic with a focus on achieving functional and meaningful outcomes.
Occupational Therapy
The primary role of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Ranges School is to support and enable students to participate throughout the school day, to the best of their ability. To achieve this the Occupational Therapists consider environmental factors that affect individual students learning, as well as their interests and motivations.
At Eastern Ranges School the Occupational Therapists work collaboratively within the classroom with teaching and support staff to develop strategies that support students to achieve their learning goals, as well as to access the curriculum. The Occupational Therapists provide consultation to staff in the following areas:
- Sensory processing and self-regulation – To enable students to be in a ‘ready to learn’ state throughout the day.
- Play skills – Including imaginative play and social skills.
- Fine motor skills – To encourage manipulation of small objects and tool use (e.g. scissors, pencils and cutlery)
- Pre-writing and handwriting skills – including tracing/copying shapes, prewriting lines, letters and numbers.
- Gross motor skills – Necessary for the classroom such as core strength, coordination and motor planning skills.
- Self-care – School related personal care tasks such as toileting and eating.
The Occupational Therapists occasionally run group programs for students with similar needs (e.g. fine motor/writing, regulation and fussy eating groups). They also assist classroom staff to develop individualised therapy room programs, for students who need more support to stay regulated in the classroom and to achieve their learning goals. The therapy room contains a range of sensory equipment including swings, tunnels, therapy balls and a trampoline with a crashmat.
At times, the Occupational Therapists participate in case meetings with families and teaching staff to support shared goals. Support is also provided to leadership, classroom and other specialist/therapy staff through Occupational Therapy run professional development sessions and through collaboration around school wide initiatives, curriculum development and resourcing.
Eastern Ranges School currently has two part time Occupational Therapists who work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Music Therapy
Music Therapy at Eastern Ranges School works to support our students in all areas of development and the curriculum. The Music Therapy program has a flexible service delivery model, determined by individual student goals and the school wide focus.
Music Therapy Services may include:
- Classroom music therapy developmental sessions
- Parent/child music based therapy sessions
- Using music to motivate students to communicate and/or play
- Using music to assist with emotional regulation
- Using music to assist with specific motor movements
- Music composition and Song writing
- Professional development sessions
- Development of music resources
Music Therapy at Eastern Ranges School is run by a Music Therapist who has training in Neurological Music Therapy Techniques and is registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association. Music Therapy is the planned use of music to actively support students as they strive to improve their functioning and wellbeing. Music Therapists incorporate a range of music making methods within and through a therapeutic relationship.