Therapy Team 

At Merriang School, the Occupational Therapist and Speech Pathologist support students to participate in fun and meaningful activities.
​They deliver child-centered interventions and are dedicated to adhering to evidence-based practice. They work across all campuses following a multimodal service delivery approach, which includes working within classrooms and following a consultative model. 
The allied health team works to educate and upskill students, staff and families. They provide strategies and equipment to support student engagement and participation.

Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy program focuses on increasing independence and supporting engagement in valuable activities to each individual. 
The Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) is supported by the Occupational Therapist and provides students with movement based activities to develop gross motor skills (Including balance and coordination), problem solving, spatial awareness and
​self-confidence. 
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The Occupational Therapy program also upskills staff and supports students to develop in the following areas:
  • Fine Motor Skills (including pencil grasp, scissor skills)
  • Gross Motor Skills (including balance and coordination)
  • Emotional Regulation skills
  • Self-care Skills (including toileting, mealtimes, dressing skills)
  • Sensory Processing challenges
  • Environmental modifications (including modified seating)
  • Play and social interactions ​

Speech Pathology

The Speech Pathology program focuses on the development of communication, language and literacy skills. The program strives to support students to say “Whatever I want to say, to whoever I want to say it to, whenever and however I want” (Gayle Porter). Students who are unable to use speech to meet all of their communication needs may use other methods of communication to get their message across. 

Staff are supported to embed the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) into daily routines to ensure all students can be active participants at school and in the community. At Merriang School we use an iPad application called TD Snap Core First through Tobii Dynavox. Students have access to this app on a school iPad and all staff model the use of this system. We encourage mulit-modal communication and therefore teach a variety of ways to communicate including:
  • TD Snap Core First on an iPad
  • Personalised communication systems 
  • Aided Language Displays 
  • Spelling
  • Key Word Sign
  • Auslan
  • Gesture 
The Speech Pathology program also upskills staff and supports students to develop in the following areas:
  • Language (words and sentences)
  • Literacy (reading and writing)
  • Play and social skills (utilising ‘Learn to Play’ program and DIR framework)
  • Safe swallowing and mealtime management