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The Role of the Therapist:
Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP)
The speech and language pathologist provides services to children on Individual Education Programs (IEP’s). Children are serviced in both the integrated preschool classroom as well as the therapy room. Children who receive speech and language therapy have identified needs in the area of receptive and expressive language as well as social pragmatic skills. The SLP identifies and addresses needs that children have in the area of communication and language. Peer participation and modeling is fostered to support understanding of social communication differences, facilitate acceptance, generate friendships, and enhance generalization of skills. It should be noted that all of the classrooms are language rich and children are working on development of appropriate communication and social skills throughout their preschool day.
Occupational Therapist (OTR)
The OTR provides expertise in the area of fine motor and sensory skills. Fine motor skills are skills that look at the development of eye hand coordination, muscle tone, strength and flexibility. The OTR will also work with children in the area of sensory integration. Sensory integration is how a child takes in external stimuli from their environment. For some children the noise of the classroom may be too over stimulating for them and they require special adaptations in order to be successful. It is the role of the OTR to address those needs and make appropriate accommodations in order for students to be successful in their preschool classroom. The OTR works in both the classroom and the therapy room. Many fine motor skills are addressed in the daily teaching of the classroom.
Physical Therapist (PT)
The PT works on the development of gross motor skills, balance, strength and movement. The PT works mostly in the therapy room but also may work in the children’s classroom. Physical Therapists will help to make sure gross motor skills are carried over into the children’s daily routine.
All therapists provide consultative services to the classroom as well as to parents. Teachers and therapists are constantly collaborating to make sure that appropriate accommodations and modifications are being carried through all aspects of the children’s preschool day. The PT works on the development of gross motor skills, balance, strength and movement. The PT works mostly in the therapy room but also may work in the children’s classroom. Physical Therapists will help to make sure gross motor skills are carried over into the children’s daily routine. |