GEMS Link Programme
We are delighted to be able to offer Speech-and-Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy at our school, via the GEMS LINK Service.
Our GEMS LINK therapists work collaboratively with the school’s educators and parents to ensure each child receives personalized, meaningful and sought-after interventions, developed to provide holistic support.
What is Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)?
Speech and Language Therapy– supports children and young adults to further develop their speech, language and communication needs using holistic assessment, observation and evidence-based individualised intervention programmes focusing for example on speech sounds, fluency, oral motor skill development, Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) and social communication.
What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
Occupational Therapy aims to improve the performance of body functions and everyday tasks, involving the use of holistic assessments and interventions to develop, recover or maintain abilities and meaningful roles of the individual. Occupational Therapy helps individuals across their lifespan improve their cognitive, sensory and physical abilities, such as visual perception, body awareness, sensory/emotional regulation, gross motor and fine motor skills. An Occupational Therapist provides crucial support in making environmental modifications and supports access to assistive devices.
All of our GEMS LINK therapists are DHA-certified. All therapies are cost neutral and occur on school premises, to assist the children in receiving support in a familiar environment. In-school provision eliminates unnecessary travel time after school, with the time otherwise spent on travel being instead for more family time. Providing therapy services within our schools further offers the opportunity for your child’s teachers to develop a solid understanding and skills on how to continue to support your child in their journey of development. The package of support includes direct therapy, consultative services, teacher/staff/LSA/TA and parent training, provision of Individual Therapy Plans (ITP), session feedback and termly progress reporting. For more information about SaLT and/or please get in touch with the school’s Inclusion Department.
Having in-house speech and language and occupational therapists in school provides numerous benefits for students, families, and the school community as a whole. It enhances access to timely and individualised support, promotes collaboration and integration of services, and fosters the holistic development of each student.
- Convenience and Accessibility: Having in-house therapists means that students can receive support and therapy sessions within the familiar environment of their school. This eliminates the need for parents to arrange and transport their child to external therapy sessions, making it more convenient for both students and families.
- Early Intervention: In-house therapists can identify and address speech, language, and occupational concerns early on, often before they significantly impact a student's academic or social development. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes and prevent issues from escalating.
- Collaboration with Teachers: In-house therapists can collaborate closely with teachers to integrate therapy goals into the classroom environment. This collaboration ensures that therapy strategies are reinforced throughout the school day, maximizing the effectiveness of interventions.
- Tailored Support: In- house therapists can provide individualized support tailored to each student's specific needs and learning style. They can conduct assessments, develop personalized therapy plans, and monitor progress over time, adjusting interventions as needed.
- Parent Education and Support: In-house therapists can offer guidance, resources, and support to parents, empowering them to reinforce therapy goals at home and advocate for their child's needs within the school community. This collaboration enhances the effectiveness of therapy and promotes a team approach to supporting the student.
- Consistency and Continuity of Care: In-house therapists can maintain consistent communication with other members of the student's support team, including teachers, parents, and outside specialists. This ensures continuity of care and allows for seamless coordination of services to best meet the student's needs.
- Integration of Therapy into Daily Activities: In-house therapists can incorporate therapy activities into daily routines and classroom activities, making learning more engaging and meaningful for students. This integration promotes generalization of skills across settings and facilitates skill transfer to real-life situations.
- Support for Transition Planning: In-house therapists can play a key role in transition planning for students moving between grade levels or transitioning out of school and into post-school settings. They can provide valuable input regarding the student's strengths, challenges, and ongoing therapy needs, helping to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of support.
- Fostering Independence: In-house therapists can empower students to develop skills that promote independence and self-advocacy. By providing targeted interventions and teaching compensatory strategies, therapists help students gain confidence in their abilities and navigate daily tasks more independently.
- Holistic Approach to Student Wellness: In-house therapists contribute to a holistic approach to student wellness by addressing not only academic challenges but also social, emotional, and behavioral factors that may impact learning. By addressing the whole child, therapists help create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.