Therapies
Occupational Therapy
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Department at Cantalician
Center for Learning is made up of a diverse group of professionals with varying
degrees of experience and a vast knowledge base of pediatric service delivery.
The goal of the OT Department is to increase each student's functional skills
throughout the many school environments and to be able access to their
education through improving independence during academic/fine motor tasks, increasing
their ability to self-regulate and maintain attention, decreasing the need for
adult prompting/assistance during self-care tasks, identifying student
strengths in relation to
prevocational/vocational tasks, and intertwining the
acquisition of play skills whenever possible. Through a diverse treatment
approach that focuses on needs in the areas of sensory motor abilities, body
awareness and control, muscle strength and endurance, visual-motor integration,
fine motor manipulation, and exploration during play a student's needs can be
met no matter the severity or type. Students are able work within a variety of
spaces across the school environment, including the Occupational Therapy
clinic, the state of the art sensory room, the vocational training room, the
student's classroom settings, and the cafeteria. These spaces allow the Department
to address needs within each students' natural environment as well as create
applicable learning opportunities during every moment spent in therapy and
throughout the school day. Each therapist has a wide range of materials at
their fingertips and their creativity offers endless therapy options to meet
each student's individual needs. Each Occupational Therapist works directly
with the teacher to collaborate on treatment options that can be carried over
within the classroom setting to ensure that each student is consistently
developing the skills necessary to succeed.
Physical Therapy
The Physical Therapy (PT) team
at Cantalician Center for Learning consists of 6 full-time New York State licensed Physical Therapists who service
approximately 50% of the Preschool and School Age populations. Physical Therapy
service mandates are provided in accordance with each child's Individualized
Education Plan (IEP) and range from daily to weekly sessions. We utilize a
client-centered approach and work closely with all members of the child's 'Team'
to ensure quality care that maximizes the child's mobility, functional
potential and quality of life.
We provide therapy services in our accessible therapy clinics, fitness room, gross motor room and as push-ins to classroom activities. Therapeutic areas of concentration may include: strength, muscle tone, flexibility, orthopedics, postural control and positioning, gross motor skills, ambulation, endurance, coordination, balance, personal and environmental awareness, motor planning and recall, and medical and adaptive equipment.
The Physical Therapy Department provides on-site access to orthotic and durable medical equipment vendors to facilitate a stream-lined approach to the coordination of these plans of care elements. We also collaborate with local colleges to promote student affiliations/internships and research, in order to advance our profession. The department coordinates our yearly participation in the school day SABAH program, which addresses many of the therapeutic needs of a child in a community setting.
Speech/Language Therapy
The Speech Therapists in the Speech/Language Department at Cantalician Center for Learning are specially trained professionals who have earned Master'sdegrees, a New York State license, and/or a Department of Education certification, in addition to Clinical Competence Certificates from the American Speech and Hearing Association. Our department is an active part of the educational team who focuses on improving COMMUNICATION across classroom curriculum's, social interactions, recreational activities and community travels. We provide life changing treatment and support to our students who experience: