Therapies

Educational Psychologist

We buy in a number of sessions from Lambeth EP services which we us in the following ways to support children, staff and parents in school:-

Observing in classes and offering support and advice to class teachers
Observing specific pupils and writing reports
Offering surgery style consultation for parents
Carrying out cognitive assessments to support with diagnosis
Providing training for staff
Providing training for parents

To find out more about Lambeth EP service you can visit their website and also visit their Youtube channel (see below). To access helpful resources and information.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuuUeVWi6iZwBSmfDuakJw

Music Support

MUSIC LESSONS – (Music Making Sense)

Autistic children often respond to and enjoy music activities. Musical ability is an area of strength for many of our pupils which we aim to nurture and extend. The Music curriculum in Woodlark Autism Provision aims to provide each pupil with an opportunity to participate in musical activities that are both enjoyable and develop their musical skills. We buy in services of a professional music teacher from Lambeth Music Making Sense. We provide weekly lessons for each class and an after school club.

HOW SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED

Pupils are introduced to a variety of action songs from around world
They take part in singing as a group and as their confidence develops they are encouraged to sing individually
Developing a sense of rhythm is an important aspect of our music curriculum and pupils are taught how to play a range of simple percussion instruments including shakers, chime bars and African drums
As their musical skills develop pupils are taught how to play familiar songs using recorders, keyboards and the glockenspiel.
Children are encouraged to perform in front of larger audiences in Woodlark weekly assemblies and in assemblies for seasonal festivals
Our music is linked to classroom termly themes and this can also involve inviting professional musicians to perform for our pupils and offer interactive workshops
We arrange visits to organisations that offer music activities e.g. Gamelan sessions at the South Bank Centre

MUSIC THERAPY

Music Therapy is the use of music as an agent for personal expression, understanding and change within a supportive therapeutic relationship. Music Therapy aims to develop a trusting, therapeutic relationship in which a child can express themselves freely and feel that they are being listened to, heard and understood.

WHO CAN ACCESS MUSIC THERAPY?

We offer music therapy sessions to individual pupils on a referral basis. We also offer group sessions to enable as many children as possible to access the benefits of music therapy.
We are extremely grateful to the Walcot Foundation who contribute funding towards our Music Therapy sessions.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

What is OT?

Occupational therapy (OT) helps people take part in daily life to improve their health and wellbeing. For children and young people this might include helping them with eating, washing, using the toilet, doing their schoolwork or playing. An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a trained professional who works to promote, maintain, and develop the skills needed by students to be functional in a school setting and beyond. Autistic children often present with motor, perceptual or sensory challenges. They may be oversensitive to touch, noise or sound. Their attention and behaviour can be affected by these physical or sensory challenges. OTs use a holistic approach in planning programs. They take into account the physical, social, emotional, sensory and cognitive abilities and needs of students. The OT will provide therapy interventions and strategies to help children overcome difficulties.

How The OT Can Help?

Assessing needs of children to identify difficulties impacting on the child’s function
Support children to develop life skills and become more independent in self-care routines e.g. toilet training, dressing and brushing teeth
Create programs to help with school skills e.g. writing, using scissors, sitting position, attention
Support with sensory integration e.g. sensitivity to noise, lights, smell or texture
Assessing gross motor skills – strength, body tone , movement, coordination
Training staff to implement programs
Provide strategies as part of daily routine

WHO RECEIVES OT SUPPORT?

Referrals are made to the NHS occupational therapy service when we have concerns about a child with regard to sensory integration or motor skills.
We buy in OT service from our own budget to ensure all children in Woodlark Autism Provision have access to OT support if needed.
OT strategies are used in each class, as part of the timetable, to support the development of fine motor skills required for holding objects, handwriting or cutting with scissors and gross motor skills e.g. walking, climbing, or riding a bike.

Speech & Language Therapy

Our Speech & language Therapist is in the Centre 2½ days per week.

What is SLT?

Speech and Language Therapists (SaLTs) offer specialist advice, assessment and intervention for children who have difficulties with any aspect of their communication, including:

• Talking
• Attention and listening
• Understanding
• Speech sounds
• Interacting

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Community Health Speech and Language Therapy Service provides speech and language therapy to Woodlark Autism Provision. The Speech and Language Therapist works in partnership with staff at Woodlark Autism Provision to ensure integration of therapy aims into the daily curriculum.

In order to achieve this, the Speech and Language Therapist aims to:

Provide specialist assessment and intervention to enable pupil’s to communicate functionally across environments
Jointly set and review annual outcomes and Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes with class teachers and parents
Provide progress reports and attend annual review meetings
Liaise with school staff during assessment and transition periods, e.g. When your child starts at Lark Hall
Offer training to centre staff, including advice and skill sharing and on-site training
Offer training and advice to parents