Education Queensland provides occupational therapy and physiotherapy services to students with disabilities enrolled in state schools. The therapists are responsible for providing therapy services to students at Mount Ommaney Special School and the Early Childhood Development Program, and outlying schools in the Moreton region. The focus of these services is to enhance student’s education programs, experiences and outcomes for students with intellectual, physical, hearing, speech language impairment, autism spectrum disorder or multiple impairments.
Physiotherapy
To contribute to students’ education programs, physiotherapists may:
Advise on choice of chairs, specialised seating or standing equipment
Advise on the best posture to allow the student to participate in classroom activities such as writing and active listening
Advise on mobility within the classroom and school grounds
Recommend changes to the school environment to allow the student’s involvement in school activities
Prevent or reduce the chance of further disability through intervention such as providing orthoses and advice on activities and positioning for school activities
Suggest changes to existing education programs to meet specific student needs
Assist with the choice and use of assistive technology to enhance independent mobility, communication, play, recreation and computer access
Enhance students’ confidence and self esteem by working towards maximum independence in the school setting.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists contribute to students’ education program by:
Assessing students’ development and the functional skills needed for school and everyday life
Analysing activities and modifying them for students, planning and designing curriculum adjustments with the team
Adapting equipment or the environment to help students participate as independently as possible in the school program
Advising on the use of technology and the best means of accessing devices for independence in areas such as communication, mobility and computer skills
Preventing or reducing the chance of further disability through specialist techniques such as hand splinting and advising on correct positioning during activities
Enhancing self-esteem by providing students with achievable, motivating tasks.
Students at Mount Ommaney Special School and our Early Childhood Development Program are referred for therapy services by their class teacher. These referrals are discussed with school staff and prioritised based on the referrals provided as well as identified school needs.
Our therapy team consists of
Melissa Rowbotham-Spampinato (physiotherapist) mrowb9@eq.edu.au
Kerrie Turner (physiotherapist) kturn228@eq.edu.au
Susan Tomes (ECDP physiotherapist) sxtome1@eq.edu.au
Maddison Harmer (ECDP physiotherapist) mharm49@eq.edu.au
Sarah Fox (occupational therapist) sfox16@eq.edu.au
Cristy Roxburgh (occupational therapist) croxb3@eq.edu.au