In order to comprehensively meet the needs of our students, Durand Academy offers a full complement of Related Services including Speech, Occupational, Physical Therapy and Clinical Counseling.

Speech Therapy

Students either enter Durand Academy with an established speech IEP, or are evaluated at Durand to assess current level of functioning.  Based upon the results, a speech IEP is completed.  Progress reports are completed four times a year and a new IEP is created annually.  Teachers are periodically consulted to discuss progress and/or behavioral issues.  Academic material is incorporated into speech sessions to promote integration.  Carryover of skills to the home environment is promoted with a communication folder containing homework, comments, suggestions, etc.

Students are either seen individually and/or within a small group.  Phonological awareness enrichment supports the phonics/reading program.  Social skills are enriched within the classroom through appropriate peer interaction during game play.  Additional areas addressed in speech therapy may include: articulation (discrimination/production of speech sounds), receptive/expressive language (understanding and use of grammar/sentence structure/vocabulary), voice (volume/pitch), fluency (rate/smoothness of speech).

Clinical Counseling

The Clinical Counseling Department of Durand Academy consists of Clinical Social Workers and a Behavioral Psychologist to address the Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Family Support needs of every student.  Through individual counseling sessions with students, group Social Skills lessons in the classrooms, Behavioral program support and assistance and intervention with families, the Clinical Department serves to promote the student’s success in the program and in the student’s overall social-emotional-behavioral development.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy services are provided at Durand Academy on a direct, consultative, and group basis as per each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  The occupational therapists at Durand Academy collaborate with the students, teachers, parents, and other educational staff to help implement and promote successful classroom role performance.

Occupational Therapy services address challenges in the following areas: fine motor, gross motor, mobility, safety, visual-motor skills and sensory processing abilities. We provide support for all aspects of the student’s school day.  This includes academics, social skills, behavioral supports, self-help skills, and prevocational/vocational participation for students with disabilities, 4 to 14 years of age.

Occupational Therapists at Durand Academy each possess advanced degrees from accredited Occupational Therapy Institutions. They each bring their unique skills and expertise to help students improve their overall academic/prevocational performance and success in the school setting.

As Occupational Therapists, we strive to use what is meaningful to the student along with purposeful activities, to promote and facilitate a child's active participation in academic and vocational pursuits; play or leisure activities that occur in school environments.

“Within the school system, occupational therapy helps children facing physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges that affect their school performance, socialization, and health.¹

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy services work to promote the student’s physical development and functioning.  Informed therapeutic treatment sessions are planned and implemented to insure student’s progress towards their physical therapy goals.

¹ 2004-2006 American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.