The Gramon Family of Schools is proud to offer a variety of related services that emphasize a team approach to supporting all students and staff.
Working collaboratively, the related service providers and classroom staff communicate regularly to maximize student progress across all disciplines.
In the younger classrooms, therapists and classroom staff work together to offer integrated services, with therapists frequently pushing into classrooms to provide sessions in the natural environment.
During the transition years, therapy is provided in an infusion model, which includes therapists attending Community Based Instruction (CBI) experiences with each high school classroom. Each discipline is an integral component of the overall experience at The Gramon Family of Schools, creating a comprehensive therapeutic atmosphere for students to thrive.
Students may receive related services in the following areas:
- Counseling
- Occupational therapy.
- Physical therapy
- Speech and language therapy
Counseling
The Gramon Family of Schools counseling department consists of:
- Social workers
- Art therapists.
Counseling services are available to:
- Enhance positive behavior
- Enhance social skills
- Social and emotional development.
Counseling Sessions Available:
- Individual
- Group
- Co-treatment
- Classroom-based services as per the specific needs of each student.
Counselors are available to aid parents in accessing outside services, such as:
- Recreational activities
- Specialists
- The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
*The social workers provide support to parents of preschool students to help them navigate through their first school experience. They are also available to communicate with home therapists and private agencies to advocate for the student's needs. They also provide resources for students and families throughout the transition years and guide families through the process of securing services upon graduation. The art therapists engage students in a variety of art-based therapeutic activities to support them in developing social skills and addressing emotional needs.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy at The Gramon Family of Schools incorporates a variety of intervention strategies into students’ therapy sessions, with the goal of ensuring that each child is provided with an individualized program that includes the involvement of all other therapeutic disciplines. Our team approach allows for an optimal learning environment for each child. The OT department works closely with the transition team to provide vocational support for students in their work experiences, both on-site and in the community.
OT Sessions Available:
- Individual
- Group
- Co-treatment
- Infused OT sessions, as outlined by each student’s IEP.
Sessions typically focus on:
- Improving sensory processing/modulation skills through the use of various sensory integrative techniques.
- Various handwriting programs
- Visual perceptual/motor
- Self-care
- Vocational
- Fine motor activities
*The use of adaptive equipment and assistive devices are also utilized as needed. Occupational therapy provides each student with learning experiences that generalize to other life skills.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy at The Gramon Family of Schools addresses gross motor skills with consideration of the implications they have for the students’ functioning in the school setting.
To determine goals and objectives, the PT assesses:
- A student’s postural stability
- Body awareness
- The student's ability to safely navigate the school environment.
- Gross motor needs to promote more age-appropriate reciprocal play skills to encourage greater peer interaction. These areas may include balance, coordination, motor planning, and ball skills.
PT Sessions Available:
- Individual
- Small group
- Co-treatment
- Infused sessions depending on their specific needs.
The Gramon Family of Schools physical therapists work with the adaptive physical education teachers to apply skills addressed in the physical education curriculum.
Additionally, the PTs work with the classroom staff to address skills related to safe navigation of the community environment.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech Language Specialists work collaboratively with the classroom staff and other related service providers to facilitate speech and language development throughout the day.
The Speech Language Specialists utilize a total communication approach when addressing student communication needs and focus on generalization of language skills by addressing skills in the natural environment.
Goals are addressed in the areas of:
- Receptive
- Expressive
- Social language development
- Functional life skills.
Speech Sessions Available:
- Individual
- Small group
- Co-treatment
- Infused sessions as determined by the IEP.
Many students at GFS benefit from the support of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
The Gramon Family of Schools incorporates a variety of AAC such as:
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Communication boards/books
- Voice output communication systems (e.g., iPads with various communication apps including Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life)
Visual aids used throughout the school day:
- Choice boards
- Picture schedules
- Social stories
- Task sequences.
Professional Development provided for staff and parents:
- AAC implementation
- Coaching techniques to maximize generalization in the classroom and home environments.