Occupational Therapy at Birtenshaw

The primary goal of occupational therapy at Birtenshaw is to enable children and young people with special needs to have the opportunity to participate in activities which give meaning and purpose to their lives. The occupational therapist, working in cooperation with other members of the health, care and education teams, uses selected activities to reduce the effects of impairment or disability on an individual child. The activities used by the Occupational Therapist at Birtenshaw include sensory integration therapy, multi-sensory work, rebound therapy and more general activities such as cycling or pony riding. The occupational therapist assists in reducing or removing any difficulty a child or carer might experience in daily living activities by assessing and arranging the provision of special equipment.

Benefits of Occupational Therapy
• Improved sensory processing skills
• Development of fine and gross motor skills
• Development of independent living skills
• Involvement in meaningful activity
• Development of communication and social skills
• Improved wheelchair mobility

Speech and Language Therapy (Communication)
• Birtenshaw engages two specialist Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT):
• One therapist specialises in working with children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder;

   the second therapist specialises in working with children with a significant Physical Disability
• SaLTs work with children and young people on a one-to-one basis or in small groups
• SaLTs provide extensive staff training and monitoring
• SaLT is a Communication Aid: Augmentative and Alternative Communication Resource
• Signing (Signalong/Makaton)
• SaLTs support with eating and mealtime management

Benefits of Speech and Language Therapy to Children and Young People
• Assessment of communicative need
• Appropriate intervention and support
• Individual child-centred approach

Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy at Birtenshaw The main purpose of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy at Birtenshaw is to ensure that children and young people with special needs are physically enabled to lead fulfilled and independent lives. This approach reflects the goals identified in the Department of Health National Service Framework for Children and Young People. A holistic approach is used whereby the physiotherapist works closely with colleagues to promote physical wellbeing and independence for each child by maximising that individual’s potential. Once an initial assessment of each child has been completed the physiotherapist will formulate a treatment plan that selects from a wide variety of interventions. These include:

• Postural management, including sleep systems, standing frames or other daytime postural management such    as the Acheeva Learning Station
• Orthotics such as splintage
• Use of specialist adaptive equipment
• Disability cycling
• Physiotherapy
• Hydrotherapy

The multi-sensory interactive hydrotherapy pool is an especially beneficial therapeutic environment. It combines all the benefits of a warm water pool with a sensory experience that engages any child in a way that is completely unique and innovative.

Summary of benefits of Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy
• Promoting independence skills
• Improved function and gross motor skills including muscle strengthening
• Promotion of normal muscular tone and optimal joint ranges
• Using optimal positioning as a means of better accessing educational provision
• Psychological benefits such as boosting self esteem, relaxation and developing a sense of achievement

Music Therapy

Music can be found in our everyday lives and everyone makes their own music - whether it be laughing, crying, singing or speaking. Music Therapy at Birtenshaw School uses this template, alongside psychoanalytic techniques, to help Young People create their own music.

Currently at Birtenshaw School, we are working towards:

• Encouraging vocalisations and singing within a musical structure
• Encouraging Young People to have an awareness of those around them and interact with them
• Creating a safe space where Young People can be heard and thought about therapeutically
• Supporting Young People towards targets as set out by the Multi Disciplinary Team

• and finally, encouraging Young People to express themselves in a fun and meaningful way