Our teachers are responsible for planning and delivering educational, individualised programs for all students. To assist with this, they often call on advice and input from a range of therapists and specialists that visit our school.
Guidance Officer
The school guidance officer visits the school on a weekly basis. The role of the school guidance officer includes the following: psychological assessment; assisting in the verification process of impairment; consultation and support; linking with outside agencies; providing confidential counselling; support for students and their families.
A referral to the school guidance officer is made by contacting the Principal.
Registered Nurse
The Department of Education Registered Nurse works in partnership with staff to safely manage the health needs of students with specialised health needs.
Working with staff in our school, the registered nurse helps manage our students by: assessing individual students’ health needs; developing individualised student health and emergency plans; providing competency-based training for school staff to meet the individual students’ health needs; providing support and advice for students, parents and school staff.
Occupational Therapist
The Occupational Therapist assists students to develop functional skills for everyday life including: student/work skills (e.g. organisation of self, handwriting and computer skills); activities of daily living (e.g. eating, dressing, toileting, using community facilities); play, leisure and recreation (e.g. playground activities).
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists contribute to a student’s education programs by: advising on seating and posture; advising on mobility in the classroom and school grounds; recommending changes to the school environment to allow maximum student participation in school activities; preventing or reducing disability through specialist techniques and support such as provision of specialised equipment; providing training and consultation on risk management; maximising students’ independence in the school setting to enhance their confidence; and adapting student programs or classroom setup to cater for individual needs.
Speech Language Pathologist
The Speech Language Pathologist provides a service to identified students within a transdisciplinary team by: direct services to students (diagnostic and review assessments, therapy with students; training in alternative and augmentative communication systems and aids); non-contact activities (therapy program planning, training and in-service for program implementation, resource development, parent interviews and ICP planning; service management activities (networking, strategic planning, negotiating services).
School Dental Services
All Queensland resident children four years of age or older who have not completed Year 10 of secondary school are eligible for publicly funded oral health care via Queensland Health's Child and Adolescent Oral Health Services (previously referred to as the School Dental Program).
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS provides support to eligible people with an intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind if they, their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability, in that they will get the support they need. At Rockhampton Special School we support our families in engaging with NDIS by supporting our students through the initial application process if required as well as supporting our families when engaging with service providers and navigating appropriate support.