The Ivymount School

RELATED SERVICES

Adapted Physical Education
The Adapted Physical Education Program provides students with an opportunity to engage in physical fitness as appropriate to age and/or ability. The program promotes physical fitness to build healthy bodies and instill interest in life-long leisure and fitness activities.

All students participate in field days and high school students in the Gators, competing in volleyball and basketball against other non-public special education schools.

Occupational Therapy Program
The Occupational Therapy Program works with students to provide the basis for quality movement, attention, organization and fine motor development.

Lower and Middle School students receive therapy in individual, paired and small or large group activities in the therapy room, classroom, school apartment, and/or computer lab.Therapists work with High School and Post High School students in an integrated setting to provide support for their educational, vocational, and recreational activities. Therapists work directly with students on in-school jobs to increase competency of job skills. Students in the Autism Program receive direct service by the teaching staff during daily 1:1 programs, group instruction, and incidental teaching opportunities. An occupational therapist trained in ABA methodologies develops and helps implement programs with the program staff.

Physical Therapy Program
The Physical Therapy Program works with students who have delays in motor development to develop basic motor components, mobility, skilled movement, and physical fitness.

Direct services are provided to students on an individual basis in the therapy rooms, fitness center, classroom, and playground.

Assistive Technology Program
The Assistive Technology Program facilitates students' access to the curriculum and community through the use of assistive technology devices and equipment. From "high-tech" computer devices and software to "low-tech" accommodations in the students' environment, the program encompasses a variety of methods to facilitate communication and learning.

Direct service is provided to students through regular assessments and trials with specific devices or equipment and technical support including maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. The program also provides parents/caregivers consultative assistance on selection of appropriate software for home use.

Educational Technology Program
The Educational Technology Program provides technology resources for students and teachers in support of the academic curriculum.

The computer lab, equipped with computer workstations, LCD projector, hardware, software, and assistive technology devices, is the school's technology headquarters.

The MOUS group, (Microsoft Office Users Specialist), completes a semester long class where each student masters a competency test, certifying him/her as an "Entry Level" Microsoft Office User Specialist. As a Specialist, the students can, as one example, use the Microsoft Office software package to construct his/her own resume.

Program Highlight
Entering its third year of publication, the Ivymount Quarterly newspaper is produced solely by the students and includes a collection of articles and feature selections. With ties to the state-mandated assessments, the newspaper provides a vehicle for teachers, therapists, and specialists to document each student's progress towards his/her goals. Every student has the opportunity to participate in the production of the paper, regardless of his/her age and/or skill level.

Behavioral Resource Team
The Behavioral Resource Team works directly with students on behavior assessments and programs to enhance social skills functioning. Team members work with the classroom team and parents to define and implement students' behavioral programs.

Direct services are provided through a systematic approach which includes: collecting data; designing and implementing individual behavior programs. The team provides on-going staff training on behavioral principles.

Social Work and Counseling Program
The Social Work Department is responsible for addressing the social and emotional development, strengths, growth, and needs of students and their family members, and for collaborating with teaching staff regarding these issues.

Direct services are delivered through informal involvement within the classroom as a member of the instructional team; through social skills groups which target specific skills or students; and through counseling in individual and/or small group formats to address specific social/emotional issues.

Services for parents are provided on an on-going basis for specific issues or to assist parents in accessing community services and/or programs

Each year, siblings attend "Sibling Night," an annual event which enables siblings of current students to discuss what it means to have a brother / sister with disabilities.

Program Highlight
Two social workers and the Art Specialist completed the Life Cycle curriculum, an educational course for high school students that addresses issues of sexuality, privacy, self-advocacy, and safety. Unlike a traditional sexuality education program, The Life Cycle curriculum approaches human development, sexuality and body safety by studying the human life cycle from birth to death.

Educators from the East coast attended an extensive training in July which will enable them to teach the Life Cycle curriculum in their special education settings. Throughout this school year, these educators will "field test" the Life Cycle curriculum, providing direct feedback on the instructional tools and materials. Within two years, the Life Cycle curriculum will be published and available on a national basis.

Speech and Language Therapy Program
The Speech and Language Therapy Program provides direct and collaborative services to students according to the goals and objectives in their Individual Education Plans. The treatment model varies depending on the program:

Lower and Middle School students receive direct therapy in individual, paired and small or large group activities. Treatment settings include: therapy room, classroom, school apartment, computer lab, and in the community.

High School students receive direct language therapy services in an integrated setting and/or therapy room. Therapists provide support to individual and groups of students during language arts and math groups, afternoon activities, computer lab time, through combined therapy with the occupational therapist, transition specialist or social worker and in the community.

Post High School students receive direct language therapy integrated into creative writing, citizenship groups, and computer time. Therapists observe and provide some direct contact with students in job placements outside of school.

Distinct to the Autism Program, therapists consult with the Program Support Specialist to develop communication programs targeting receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language skills. Students receive direct service by the teaching staff during daily 1:1 programs, group instruction, and incidental teaching opportunities.

Auditory Services including direct and consultative therapy to students, hearing screenings, maintenance of hearing aids, auditory trainers and audiological screening equipment, and consultation and training services to staff and parents for students with hearing loss or other auditory needs.

Expressive Arts Program
The Expressive Arts Program, including visual art, music, and drama, enriches and supports the academic and therapeutic curriculum. The program provides students with a successful channel for learning, an outlet for communication, and specific skill development including fine and gross motor skills and language and social skills.

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