Therapy Provision
Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Massage Therapy and Music Therapy is provided on-site for adults, young people and children as required. Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists also provide training and work collaboratively with staff in the residences as well as inputting into community services, thus supporting the 24 hour programme and ensuring that skills attained can generalise into functional settings. Regular opportunities are also provided to meet with parents and carers in order to discuss, progress and provide support. Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists plan collaboratively with staff teams.
Speech and Language Therapy
For all of us, communication is absolutely central to our success and well being. If we are unable to communicate our wants, needs and emotions to others around us, we may become upset, frustrated or angry.
Social Communication is one of the key areas where all people with autism experience difficulties. Within the North East Autism Society, some of our learners are non-verbal, whilst others are able to speak but have difficulties understanding the meaning of words or interpreting facial expressions and body language.
Communication is therefore at the core of our 24 hour programme and is incorporated into every part of every individual’s day.
Our team of 8 Speech & Language Therapists work alongside parents, managers, teachers/tutors and residential staff to promote an effective communication environment. They facilitate the delivery of individual and group, communication programmes to all learners. Speech and Language Therapists are also involved in the initial assessment process, attend case reviews, prepare reports, support parents/carers and other agencies, and undertake training for staff. They also take a lead role in delivery and planning for the ’24 Hour Programme’, which ensures continuity across the educational and residential settings.
Speech and Language Therapy is not just confined to individual or small group sessions with the therapist. Learners also receive a high level of Speech and Language Therapy input within their everyday activities. This is provided by experienced staff who deliver the individual programmes throughout each day (and evening for residential students). Collaborative Target setting involves observation, discussion with all relevant carers and teachers, and detailed formal and informal assessments across a variety of settings. Progress is monitored and evaluated continuously, to enable adjustments to be made at any time during the term. Parents/carers are encouraged to attend coffee mornings and visit as required in order to discuss targets and issues of concern.
Our methods are eclectic, and are therefore based on the individual needs of each individual and his/ her family. All therapists have specific training in the use of P.E.C.S, TEACCH, and Intensive Interaction methods. Communication Aids are also used when needed. We are justly proud of our team effort in putting the communication needs of our pupils high on the list of priorities at the North East Autism Society. Without the skill to communicate, our young people struggle to make their needs known, and to make meaningful relationships.
Occupational Therapy
The North East Autism Society also has 2 full time Occupational Therapists who work with our adults and young people within their educational and residential environments. Occupational Therapists work across a variety of areas including sensory processing, fine motor skills, planning, sequencing and organization of movements as well as inputting into life skills and self care skills.
Many individuals with autism experience sensory processing dysfunctions or difficulties with interpreting and making sense of touch, sound, taste and smell and may have additional difficulty interpreting proprioceptive input ( sensations from the muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons) or vestibular input (balance and movement sensations). This can result in anxiety, frustration and challenging behaviour. They may under or over react to sensory input, sometimes to the point where they are unable to participate in everyday activities. Occupational Therapists have specialist knowledge which addresses these difficulties by introducing strategies and equipment as required.
Our Occupational Therapists also work closely with the Speech and Language Therapists, particularly when an individual is being introduced to a new task or activity. The Occupational Therapist addresses the motor planning whilst the Speech and Language Therapist supports by reinforcing the related vocabulary and linguistic concepts. This work is also continued into the residences, for example in life skills activities such as cooking.
Occupational Therapists also consider fine motor skills involved in practical activities such as scissor skills and movements need for dressing and self care. Once again, all targets are collaboratively planned in order to ensure generalization across educational and residential settings.
Therefore, the role of the Occupational Therapists is a very functional one, encouraging our young adults to lead as independent a life as possible. We are very excited to have our Occupational Therapists joining us and bringing with them much knowledge and expertise.
Massage Therapy
We also have 2 qualified Massage Therapists. Massage Therapy is now an accepted, innovative and effective treatment suitable for children and adults with autism. Massage Therapy provides a consistent touch which helps to regulate the sensory system. Many individuals who have sensory processing difficulties find gentle touch over-stimulating. Applied deep pressure is a calming experience for many of our young people. Relaxing music and soft lighting also helps to create a peaceful environment.
Most of our learners prefer simple hand or foot massage. Our Massage Therapists’ specialist training allows them to utilise a variety of strategies in order to introduce therapy and adapt as necessary. For example, some individuals may initially resist the therapist touching their hands. In this case, the therapist will use the adult or child's own hand to massage and then gradually fade out this technique. The Massage Therapists receive in-house and individualised training and are therefore aware of considerations regarding levels of language and greater sensory processing issues. In the initial assessment process, the Massage Therapists undertake a detailed case history to ensure there are no additional medical complaints or allergies which may have an impact.
Massage Therapy provides ASC individuals with positive experiences of being touched and touching as well as providing opportunities for basic communication and addressing sensory processing difficulties.
Music Therapy
Music therapy is provided at Thornhill School in collaboration with national charity Nordoff Robbins (www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk) which uses music to transform the lives of children and adults affected by illness, disability, trauma or isolation.
All human beings respond to music, irrespective of age or ability. Music therapists are skilled musicians who have been trained to draw others into shared music-making in order to work with emotional, physical, social, communicational and developmental difficulties.
Students have the opportunity to enter into a musical relationship with the music therapist that seeks to develop their creativity and address their needs. They may take part in any way they are able – using movement, voice or instruments – and may come to sessions individually or in small groups.
The student will begin to show his or her strengths and needs and may express a range of feelings, both positive and negative (or resistive). All these are important and the music therapist will use them in the music-making. Music therapy draws out people’s natural strengths and abilities. It helps them to use and enjoy these abilities, and to develop them in order to overcome or cope with any difficulties. By enabling interaction and participation, music therapy helps to address some of the challenges the student may be experiencing generally.
Music therapy is a registered profession, regulated by the Health Professions Council.
www.hpc-uk.org
< Back