At Kisharon Langdon College, students benefit from a range of therapeutic options, including:
- Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Job Coaches
- Psychology services
Therapeutic support is planned through a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that it is targeted and based on the identified needs in the learners’ EHCP. Utilising the multi-disciplinary team through the regular moderation, reviews and amendments of targets ensures that interventions support learning, without being overly nurturing, limiting opportunities and setting aspirational targets for all learners.
The therapeutic team is a key part of the Langdon College staff body which ensures that they liaise effectively with the teaching team to set collaborative targets and can react quickly to any changes or progress made. As well as providing support, training and development opportunities alongside the staff team. All targets are specifically focused on making learners less vulnerable, reducing support to promote greater independence and encouraging peer to peer work, where appropriate.
Occupational Therapy
On a typical day learners will work with an Occupational Therapist (OT) to address barriers to independent living. This could involve developing fine motor skills to support handwriting, gross motor skills to support getting dressed or even cooking as this involves a combination of motor skills and planning.
Our OT, Natalie works to enhance students’ foundational skills such as balance, walking and avoiding falls. Additionally she supports learners with brushing hair, putting on coats, dressing, eating, and preparing food.
She also hosts workshops on practical skills like cooking, cleaning, laundry, budgeting, and travel training.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech & Language Therapists, Lauren and Vicky run groups focusing on social and emotional skills.
They encourage the students to think about topics they would like to discuss. Currently, the main theme is based around self-advocacy. They explore different scenarios and situations which require advocacy skills. From college, to work life and friendships/relationships.
When possible the SaLT team will also join students either on their work experience or in one to one sessions where they can work on a specific theme linked to their targets.
Lauren and Vicky also join in classes, to support the students and understand what the communication environment looks like and what strategies they can put in place to help access this. For example, by using visuals and thinking about the vocabulary they use. The SaLT team also provides on the spot training and workshops for staff so they can model specific interventions.
Additionally they link with other services in the community, and make sure students have their voices heard. This may for example, include joining their annual review meetings.