Related Services

resize

Related Services

Related services are the supportive services or activities necessary for some students with disabilities to maximize their educational outcomes.  Any related service or support that helps a student to benefit from or achieve the goals set out in his or her individualized education program (IEP) will be provided by our licensed related services personnel.   Related Services at Westlake school are provided onsite in accordance with each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requirements. 

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy services are designed to provide the highest level of service for students during individual and group sessions.  Westlake’s speech department consists of Masters-level speech and language therapists who are dedicated to supporting all students’ communication needs in and out of the classroom. These certified therapists help students to improve their production of sounds and their understanding, use, and processing of language. Additionally, therapists provide instruction to students who have communication devices so that they become more proficient in using their devices to better express themselves. Each Speech and Language Therapist works with the Child Study Team to ensure that Westlake students maximize their highest potential through a collaborative approach.

Component services for speech and language consist of:

Two thirty minute Individual speech and language sessions per week

One thirty minute group speech and language session per week

Specialized Therapy Techniques:

  • Augmentative communication systems/communication boards
  • Augmentative-Alternative (AAC)
  • Ipads
  • PROMPT - Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
  • Proloquo2GO - applications for iPad, iPhone and iPod
  • Oral Motor/Feeding Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists work with teachers to help students acquire the functional abilities necessary to access educational materials and move about the school. To help students function better in classrooms, the lunchroom, or restrooms, therapists may work with them on adapting or modifying their equipment/materials. Other assistance includes helping students participate in activities outside of the school through mobility on field trips, sports events and within the community.

Our Licensed Occupational Therapists provide individual and group therapy to those students who need to improve function, enhance performance, and increase independence by having them perform meaningful activities.

Component services for Occupational Therapy consist of:

Two thirty minute Individual occupational therapy sessions per week

One thirty minute group occupational therapy session per week

Specialized OT Therapy areas of service:

  • Fine Motor Skills
  • Gross Motor Skills
  • Sensory Processing/Sensory Integration and Sensory Diets – Therapy Swing
  • Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)/Self-Care
  • Handwriting
  • Visual Perception Skills
  • Yoga 4 Classrooms

Physical Therapy

Westlake’s licensed Physical Therapists' role is to help identify students develop the strength, endurance, and flexibility to move independently in and about the school and community environment.  Our therapists focus on assisting students in acquiring the functional abilities necessary to use educational materials and adapt to their educational environment.  Our therapists consult with other staff members to help students achieve maximum independence and safety.  Physical therapy is provided as an additional contracted service. 

Counseling

Licensed Clinical Social Workers provide comprehensive school social work services to students in addressing barriers that limit a student from receiving the full benefit from their educational experience provided by referrals from school administration, parents, teachers and the Child Study Team members.  They provide direct services and assist families in crisis and family situations.  The Social Workers provide individual and group counseling to students to improve their daily functioning, coping abilities, and social skills. They also collaborate with parents/guardians and community agencies to give the students comprehensive support and assist in a successful transition into adulthood.

Nursing Services

The National Association of School Nurses defines school nursing as: "A specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students." To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.

The Westlake school nurse addresses such topics as healthy lifestyles, riskreducing behaviors, developmental needs, activities of daily living, and preventive selfcare.  Screenings, referrals, and followup are prevention strategies that school nurses utilize to detect and treat health-related issues in their early stage and prevention by addressing diagnosed health conditions and concerns.

A student’s health is directly related to his or her ability to learn. Children with unmet health needs have a difficult time engaging in the educational process. The school nurse supports student success by providing health care through assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children within the school setting. The school nurse addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and social health needs of students and supports their achievement in the learning process.

Behaviorist

Westlake’s behaviorists are BCBA certified and are team leaders in the realm of behavior management. Their role is to assist teachers and IEP teams create plans to manage behaviors that affect student learning, provide a comprehensive approach to behavior management that includes evaluation, data collection, interventions and regular monitoring.  They assist teachers with effective ABA programs for individuals with autism and other disabilities that require specific competencies that are individualized to the needs of each student.