Physical Education • Occupational Therapy • Speech & Language Therapy
Physical Education
The mission of the Groden Center Adapted Physical Education program is to provide a successful physical experience for each student, not just for the present, but for a lifetime. It is an opportunity to develop a sense of well being by engaging in physical education activity.
Physical education provides movement-centered and knowledge-based activities and opportunities. Physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of a student are met in a safe, least restrictive environment.
The Groden Center’s Adapted Physical Education program objectives are:
- To develop a positive attitude towards physical activity.
- To learn sportsmanship, problem solving, decision making, and respecting others.
- To improve gross motor, locomotor, sports skills and spatial awareness.
- To increase strength, endurance, and muscular flexibility.
- To improve social interaction, cooperation, and teamwork.
- To contribute to a positive self-concept.
- To stress the positive relationship between physical activity and health.
All individuals with disabilities have the right to receive the maximum benefits from physical education.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is a support service that helps to facilitate growth of students. The Groden Center’s Occupational Therapist (O.T.) provides consultative occupational therapy services to The Groden Center’s day program, Livingston Pre-School and Early Intervention. The O.T. determines strategies and intervention techniques to positively impact a client’s functional skills in the classroom, home and community.
O.T. consultation often focuses on techniques that support fine motor skill and self-care development or sensory processing needs. Many students use sensory strategies to prepare or get ready for learning sessions. A sensory strategy uses particular sensory activity or stimulation to increase a student’s focused attention. Sensory sessions may include, but are not limited to, a therapeutic listening program, use of a trampoline, suspended swing, therapy ball, ball bath, vibration, deep pressure vest, weighted vest, or a quiet calming sensory room with special visual affects and calming music. Pet Assisted Therapy that can reduce stress and increase attention for some students is also available. Staff are also trained by the O.T. to use sensory tools and intervention strategies in the classroom.
Speech & Language Therapy
The aim of the communication programs at The Groden Center is to empower the students to have more control over their lives in appropriate ways. The communication programs are functionally based, where change can be readily measured in the individual’s life.
Whether through speech or non-verbal means of expressing themselves, students are encouraged to develop those skills necessary for meeting their daily needs and wants, as well as their social responsibilities. For some, this consists of developing a core vocabulary, words they can use to indicate the objects or actions they want. Whether with communication pictures, written words, or representational objects, the non-verbal communicator is encouraged to use these skills effectively. In all instances, whether through these non-verbal means or with speech, students are “taught” to use their skills spontaneously (without being prompted or asked a question).
Through these self-initiations, the student learns the power of communicating and the means to access these skills independent of others. Once a student demonstrates these basic communication skills, services then focus on the expansion of their social skills. These can include initiating an interaction, sharing their feelings, asking questions, or commenting about their daily activities. The student is encouraged to expand these skills so as to have more meaningful relationships with family and friends.
All communication programs are developed in ways that maximize carryover of targeted skills into each of the student’s daily environments (i.e. school and home). It is understood that the value of communicating cannot be limited to one setting. Staff is available to assist families in carrying over the targeted skills into their home lives.