How our therapists help your child

Our therapists are all based in Sybil Elgar and work side by side with the teaching and support staff. They assess the students and develop an individual programme to build their communication, social and behavioural skills.

Our speech and language therapist works with the students, both in school and in our residential setting. She draws up a plan for the student which outlines how their language and communication skills can progress. She also works with small groups and individual students who need extra help. She provides individual communication aids and supports the development of the communication environment for school and home.

Our school psychologist and behaviour co-ordinators build an individual positive behaviour profile for all students through direct observations, historical information, baseline assessments and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. They address maladaptive patterns of behaviour by systematically understanding their function and gradually support them in self-regulation and the acquisition of meaningful functionally related skills. They aim to work toward positive management and overall wellbeing of all students. They closely work in partnership with other external professionals in providing consistent and structured approaches. They work individually with them, and in class groups throughout the school. They provide an evening-time service for residential students and support children on our short breaks.

Our occupational therapist where appropriate will develop a sensory profile, and plan support for the student's learning, working closely with other staff. She uses standardised assessments regularly to assess the student’s visual perceptual skills and visual motor integration skills linked to handwriting and visual stress. She will also assess the student's fine motor (including handwriting/keyboarding), co-ordination and daily living skills such as dressing, eating and self-care. She will prescribe any individualised programmes and treatment that the student needs.

The therapy team also works closely with parents, which means that you know exactly how your child is progressing. The team often sends programmes and learning materials home. They train all staff and keep everyone up to date with the students’ progress.

Above all, they look at the students holistically: our therapy team works as one unit, bringing together vast amounts of knowledge and experience. They are rigorous and systematic, and constantly assess and monitor how your students are doing.