The Occupational therapy team at Lockmar is led by Susan Coffey and Amanda Akimenko.
Occupational Therapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who evaluate students and develop treatment plans to help students participate in meaningful occupations that are required to participate meaningfully in school activities.
Occupational therapists who work in a school setting help students who are experiencing delays achieve growth through the use of therapeutic interventions to help promote skill development. Occupational therapists collaborate with members of the school community including teachers, parents, physical therapists and speech language pathologists, guidance counselors and other important team members to develop a plan to best meet the unique needs of that student.
Occupational therapists can help your child with important skills such as:
● Fine motor difficulties (using school tools, manipulating toys and clothing fasteners)
● Eye hand coordination difficulties (catching a ball, using scissors)
● Visual motor delays (printing, coloring, cutting, lacing)
● Visual perceptual delays (sorting, matching, scanning, letter reversals)
● Sensory processing (delays in adapted responses to sights, sounds, movement, taste or touch)
● Adaptive equipment (pencil grips, slant boards, tablets, seating accommodations)
● Decreased strength (increasing upper extremity and hand strength required to color, write and cut)
● Independent functioning skills (providing strategies to teachers and staff regarding self care tasks such as dressing, feeding, using utensils, manipulating fasteners, opening and closing containers)
Physical therapy
The physical therapists at Lockmar are Amanda Libak and Nancy Moncada
Physical therapists are highly trained healthcare professionals who evaluate and treat children who have difficulty performing physical tasks that are required to participate in the school setting.
Physical therapists in the schools help students who are experiencing motor delays or health challenges. They also recommend and train children on compensatory strategies and make adaptations to equipment and the environment to provide the most functional independence for that child.
Physical therapists use a collaborative model and work closely with teachers, parents, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, assistive technology specialists, physical education teachers and other important team members to best meet the needs of that student.
A physical therapist may help your child with important skills such as:
● Gross motor skills (walking, running, jumping, climbing, hopping, galloping, skipping, kicking, jumping jacks and ball skills-throwing, catching, dribbling and kicking)
● Posture difficulties (sitting and standing in proper alignment)
● Navigating the school (safely navigating stairs, hallways and other obstacles without bumping or losing balance)
● Gait difficulties (providing strategies and interventions for base of support, toe walking, in-toeing, staggering etc.)
● Strength and endurance
● Motor planning and body awareness (moving the body with appropriate sequencing and timing to complete complex movements)
● Balance and coordination (helping a child move smoothly and in a coordinated manner)
● Adaptive equipment and strategies in classroom (helping school staff with training on transfers and how to use health care equipment safely)
Speech Language Pathology
The speech language pathologists at Lockmar are Kristine Lucente and Kelly White.
Speech language pathologists are a specialized health professional who evaluate and treat language and communication issues. A speech language pathologist might work in a group setting or in a classroom to promote language and communication skills in a student’s natural environment.
In the school setting speech language pathologists assist children with difficulties understanding language, speaking and listening. Speech language pathologists work as a team with parents, teachers, OT/PT, assistive technology specialists and other professionals to develop a plan to meet the unique needs of each student.
The SLP also helps determine adaptive equipment and strategies that a child might require including but not limited to visuals, adaptive technology, tablets, talk to text, PEC communication boards and more.
A speech language pathologist might help your child with:
● Receptive language (difficulty understanding language) including understanding what others are saying, following directions, interest in books and stories, responding to others and attending to classroom lessons.
● Expressive language (expressing self through words) telling a simple story, using a broad vocabulary, replying to others and initiating conversations and speaking in full sentences
● Difficulty with speech (making speech sound into words). Areas of intervention include fluency (stuttering), articulation (making speech sounds), phonology (producing a pattern of speech sounds)
● Social communication skills (social or pragmatic language). Students learn to understand a person’s tone of voice, body language and emotions. They are given the tools to communicate effectively with peers and develop relationships.
● Physical speech impairments (trouble controlling tongue, lips and cheeks, hearing loss)
