Allied Health

Occupational Therapy at St Patrick’s Special School focuses on capacity building for staff and students. The Occupational Therapists work collaboratively with staff, students and families to improve student outcomes. Occupational Therapy focuses on the activities required for being a student and participating within the learning environment of a school. Specifically Occupational Therapy supports student outcomes in the areas of sensory processing, motor performance, social/emotional regulation, activities of daily living, equipment and environmental considerations. Occupational Therapists are responsible for developing a range of care plans to further support the independence of students in continence care, mobility and transport.

The Speech Pathology scope of practice consists of communication including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Literacy and Mealtime support. Speech Pathology services are delivered with a focus on capacity building with the aim of supporting student access to and participation in the curriculum.

Students at St Patrick’s Special School have a range of communication disabilities, many are nonspeaking and use AAC. We are committed to providing a communication accessible environment that gives all students the opportunity to become autonomous communicators. The Speech Pathologist works alongside teachers to embed evidence-based communication interventions and literacy instruction in daily practice. The Speech Pathologist is responsible for overseeing Oral Eating and Drinking Care Plans to support student safety at mealtimes.