Therapies at Bridgeway Academy
June 27, 2016
Bridgeway Academy is so proud of its thirty-one (31) Music, Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists who provide services both the students enrolled in Bridgeway Academy’s Education Center as well as for those who come to the Therapy Center strictly for therapeutic services. All departments integrate seamlessly into the school day as well as collaborate with each other and the classrooms, providing Bridgeway Academy’s students a strong foundation for learning. Our therapy departments have been hard at work receiving specialized training, presenting or attending regional, state and national conferences and providing the best therapy services available in central Ohio, supporting our mission to meet the educational and therapeutic needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Physical Therapy
Recently, two of our physical therapists attended a course titled “Core Therapy, Functional Movement with Balls, Bands & Balance.” This course highlighted the importance of having a strong core to help promote and facilitate functional movement! The therapists were also provided a plethora of different exercises to incorporate into therapy sessions using therapy balls and resistance bands.
Occupational Therapy
Bridgeway Academy’s Occupational Therapists (OT) further their education by attending classes of interest. Recently, Ashlee Davis participated in the “Yoga 4 Classrooms,” workshop to learn how to integrate yoga into therapy sessions. Many students lack the skills required for self-regulation, impulse control, and overall body awareness. This class focused on how to recognize imbalance, stress, and how these factors effect behavior. Yoga 4 Classrooms was an interactive and worthwhile experience that expanded Ashlee’s knowledge and will help create a positive school environment.
Leslie Murdock and Lara Pytlik attended two classes together: “Sensory Integration- Assessing & Treating Kids When Formal Testing Isn’t Possible,” and “AOTA Fieldwork Educators Certificate.” Many students lack the skills required to remain focused and follow directions. Leslie and Lara attended the sensory integration class to expand their knowledge of sensory-based disorders and to select appropriate treatment goals to improve these skills. The fieldwork class is designed to enhance fieldwork experience for students attending OT school. Leslie and Lara learned new strategies and activities to provide a high-quality fieldwork opportunity through this course, as well as speaking with other OT’s in attendance.
Kim Kay recently attended the PLAY project conference to learn more about this approach. Bridgeway Academy is so proud of its OT’s for the passion they have in learning more about this profession!
Speech-Language Pathology
In April, 2016, Bridgeway Academy’s speech department participated in Social Thinking and Moving Forward with LAMP trainings. The Social Thinking methodology addressed pragmatic skills at home, school, and in the community for individuals ages 4 and older. This training was taught by the founder of Social Thinking, Michelle Garcia Winner. Additionally, this curriculum parallels the common core/state standards. Since the training, we have discussed implementing this curriculum in individual speech sessions, speech parties, and social groups for both education and therapy center students and clients.
The LAMP course offered hands on experience with AAC devices and was taught by the author of the LAMP approach, John Halloran. By learning how to quickly set up and program devices in a variety o
f settings and exploring new strategies for teaching LAMP, the speech department is more equipped to meet the individual needs of our students.
To learn more about all of the Therapy Services offered at Bridgeway Academy, including Music Therapy and Psychological Services, please visit: https://bridgewayohio.org/programs-services/therapy-center/