Special Educational Needs at St. Conleth's N. S.
Demonstration Project on In-School and Early Years Therapy Support
The school is taking part in the Demonstration Project on In-school and Early Years Therapy Support. This is a joint project by the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Health and the Department of Children.
What is the project about?
The project involves school staff, Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), Occupational Therapists (OTs) and families working together to support the learning of all students, including students with additional needs. There are 75 schools and 75 Early Years settings taking part in the project, which is in its second year.
Where is it happening?
The Demonstration Project, will take place in schools and early year’s settings in the HSE Community Healthcare Area of Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow.
What Model of Support will the project adopt?
The project will use the multi-tiered continuum of support model. (See illustration.)
- At universal level this means that all students can benefit from SLT and OT supports.
- At targeted level those with additional needs can receive extra help where needed.
- At intensive level those with more complex needs will receive individualised support where needed.
The SLTs and OTs will work with school staff to support all students across the whole school environment. Teachers will identify some students with more complex needs that may need more help. The SLTs and OTs will work with school staff to give additional support to these students in their classrooms, in small groups and/or individually as needed.
What could Speech and Language Therapists be doing in schools?
Good speech, language and communication skills support students to access the curriculum, get along socially with others and actively participate in the learning environment. SLTs will be working with school staff to help the school support students to develop their speech, language and communication skills. These could include helping students to:
- Develop attention and listening skills
- Express themselves using words and sentences
- Explain things
- Understand verbal information and instructions
- Develop vocabulary understanding and use
- Develop social communication
What could Occupational Therapists be doing in schools?
Occupational Therapists work in schools to support students to participate successfully in the daily occupations/tasks that happen in the school and classroom. OTs will work with school staff to help the school support students with daily school tasks. This could include:
- School work (e.g. keeping on task, handwriting, taking part in sport)
- Life skills (e.g. managing belongings, developing independence in daily routines)
- Self-regulation (e.g. managing focus and attention, maintaining a calm-alert state)
- Break time/play (e.g. peer interactions, turn taking, games)
- Transitions (e.g. between tasks, classes, educational settings)
Information Leaflets are available from the school office. Please feel free to request a copy.