Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Judy Carroll & Gail Svagera
Occupational Therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants are part of the education team. In the school, an OT works with the team to help determine student annual goals, the supports, modifications, and accommodations that are necessary to help the student fulfill the role of student. OTs design intervention programs which include assistive technology or adaptive equipment to 1) increase arm and hand function 2) improve feeding, eating, and toileting skills, 3) improve seating and positioning 4) improve access to the school environments and materials and 5) help identify long-term goals for post-school outcomes, so that a student may participate in desired daily life activities or "occupations." An OT also provides training for students, staff and parents to achieve each student's success. for more information about occupational therapy please visit these websites www.aota.org or www.unmc.edu/mmi.
Physical Therapists
Ann Kruger
Mary Alice Queen
Physical therapy is a related service for special education in the school setting. Physical therapists (PT) assist with writing individual educational plan goals for mobility skills, transfers, and positioning to allow students to physically participate at their optimal functional levels in their school activities. Therapists provide direct or consultative intervention to address gross motor skills, positioning options, exercise activities, and adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, standers, walkers, and braces. Physical therapists can also provide instruction to students, staff, and parents to help the student develop his movement skills to his fullest potential.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Janet Moe
Working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems/devices comprises much of the duties of the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at J. P. Lord School. AAC devices allow nonverbal students to communicate with others. The students at J. P. Lord use a variety of devices, such as the BIGmack switches, the Jelly Bean switches, Partner 4-8, Step by Steps and others to communicate. The SLP at J. P. Lord also works with teachers in developing communication goals and objectives for each student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP). She/he also sends devices in for repairs, negotiates for replacement devices, changes batteries and helps program devices when necessary.