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- Horticultural Therapy
- Integrated Therapies
- Intensive Interaction
- Massage and Aromatherapy
- MOVE
- Multi-Disciplinary Teams
- Music Therapy
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapy
- REACh – Relationship Education for the Autistic Child
- Sensory Processing Consultant
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Homepage » Curriculum » How we teach » Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy
As part of the schools Integrated Therapy Team, our physiotherapists work alongside pupils’ class teams, specialist teachers and families to plan delivery and evaluate high quality programmes to promote the physical management of pupils and to ensure that all pupils reach their physical potential. This may be through assessment, group work, physical education, hydrotherapy and individual therapy. The physiotherapists collaborate with all other disciplines in the school to improve practice and raise pupil achievement.
Group work and individual sessions are provided with the physiotherapist taking responsibility for identifying those pupils who would benefit from a physiotherapeutic approach to their movement disorder and providing a structured programme in a small group setting or on an individual level. The pupils Educational Team is trained to deliver these programmes and integrate them into the pupil’s curriculum and timetable.
Individual Therapy
While most of the work done with the pupils will be within the classroom environment and will be functionally based, individual therapy may be necessary for some. This may be for assessment purposes, rehabilitation after surgery, or to identify and work on a particular aspect of development.
Collaboration
In order to provide an effective and appropriate therapy curriculum to meet the needs of all the pupils, close liaison and collaboration is necessary. This ensures a realistic carry over or programmes and support into the classroom and the home situation.
Collaborative planning takes place for the preparation of Individual Education Plans, for home visits, schemes of work, and the implementation of targets for individual pupils into the whole school day.
The physiotherapist is also responsible for the liaison where necessary with the schools paediatrician, pupils consultant orthopaedic surgeon, and the orthotist. Some liaison with outside agencies will also be necessary on occasions, e.g. community therapists, health visitors, social workers. The physiotherapists will always maintain a close partnership with the parents of pupils in school, and will provide advice, support and information as requested.
Home visits are offered to parents to give advice on practical home management and parents are welcome to come in to school to observe sessions and support their child’s development.
Physical Education
The physiotherapist support the class teacher in giving advice on how pupils with a physical impairment can access the curriculum, including PE. The National Curriculum programmes of study are followed as closely as possible and modified accordingly to give all pupils a wide experience of gymnastics, games, dance, outdoor activities and athletics.
Pupils are encouraged to participate in competitions at local, regional and national level particularly in athletics and boccia
Hydrotherapy
Physiotherapists can offer hydrotherapy to pupils, which allow pupils to develop water confidence, control of their body in the water and then learn to swim. Special arrangements are made to accommodate pupils who require hydrotherapy after orthopaedic surgery, or for relaxation and reduction of increased muscle tone.
