FOREST TOWN SCHOOL – Occupational Therapy 2017
Occupational Therapy (O.T.) at Forest Town School aims to help children to function as well as possible in their environment, and to be confident and active members of their school, home and community. We make use of activities that are meaningful and enjoyable to the learners as a therapeutic medium.
The O.T.’s at our school see learners in the Grade R, Bridging, Foundation and Modified Phase’s in a small group or individual basis. Older children in the Intersen Phase are seen only if they have Cerebral Palsy or specific O.T. needs. In the Senior Modified Phase learners are seen mostly in small or large group sessions with a focus on promoting their independence in Activities of Daily Living (A.D.L.); functioning in their community; assisting in Senior Experience Program; and Pre Vocational skills to prepare learners for the work place. Socio-emotional areas are also addressed. Learners from the Work Experience Program are seen in larger groups and therapy is focused on age-related Heartlines values, vocational skills and life related topics. Therapists make use of different techniques, such as Neurodevelopmental Therapy (N.D.T.) and Sensory Integration (S.I.) to address the motor and sensory needs of the learners. Therapy is provided as part of a multi-disciplinary team both within the school where communication with the whole team is vital for a learner’s holistic treatment. Joint sessions with other therapists are sometimes scheduled to assist a learner in best way possible. Working as a team also includes referring learners to appropriate specialists as needed. Each child’s specific needs determine when and how therapy will be done, and therapy is offered in the
• Botox clinics or referrals to clinics or hospitals for Botox or orthopaedic clinics happen as often as is necessary depending on learner needs.
• Learners are provided with splints, as needed, to improve their hand function and prevent further problems developing.
• Specific software and hardware are used to give learners with physical challenges access to the computer for AAC, scholastic and leisure activities. Low cost devices and systems are also used and created by the O.T’s.
• Learners are issued and trained how to use ADL assistive devices, to allow them to be more independent in the area’s of self-care such as dressing, eating and toileting.
Gross motor and Fine motor skills
• Gross motor skills such as jumping, running, climbing and ball skills and the planning, co-ordination and control necessary for these skills are focused on by our therapists
• Fine motor skills such as pencil grip and control, colouring, writing and cutting are addressed
• These are the pre-reading and writing skills that therapists address to help learners perform tasks such as copying from board, paying attention to detail, and formation and recognition of numbers and letters
• O.T.’s assist learners with handwriting training providing adapted methods or equipment as necessary
Prevocational and Vocational skills:
• Learners are trained in self-care, work and social skills to prepare them for life outside of school, and in the workplace.
• Assistance is given with recommendations and contacts for possible future work placements
• Therapists are also involved in the running of the Beauty Therapy Centre where previous Forest Town Students who have been trained in this area work
with the public.
Forest Town School
Tel: 011 646 0131 Fax: 011 646 0134
Private Bag X2, Parkview 2122
New Forest Road, Forest Town, Johannesburg, South Africa
Forest Town School, First National Bank, Rosebank.
Branch Code: 253305. Account Number: 50371715200.
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