Innerlink Therapy provides Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy school visits for children and teenagers where school-based assessment, observation, consultation or therapy is appropriate.
Visiting a student at school allows our therapists to see how communication, sensory, motor, attention, regulation or learning needs affect participation within the student’s everyday educational environment.
School visits may include classroom observation, individual therapy, teacher consultation, assessment and practical recommendations to support participation at school.
Our clinic is based in Belmore, Sydney, with school visits available across Canterbury-Bankstown and selected surrounding suburbs depending on therapist availability, location and school requirements.
Why Can School-Based Therapy Be Helpful?
Children may demonstrate different skills and challenges at school compared with a clinic or home environment.
A school visit allows the therapist to observe the demands of the student’s actual environment, including:
- classroom instructions
- transitions
- peer interactions
- noise and sensory demands
- written work
- playground participation
- organisation
- attention
- communication with teachers and peers
- everyday classroom routines
This additional information can help therapists develop recommendations that are relevant and practical for the student.
Speech Pathology School Visits
A Speech Pathologist may visit a school to support areas such as:
- speech and communication
- understanding classroom language
- following instructions
- expressive language
- vocabulary
- literacy and written language
- social communication
- conversations and peer interaction
- stuttering
- functional communication
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
School visits may involve individual therapy, classroom observation, consultation with teachers or development of communication strategies that can be incorporated into everyday school activities.
Occupational Therapy School Visits
An Occupational Therapist may visit a school to assess or support:
- handwriting
- fine motor skills
- gross motor skills
- sensory processing
- emotional regulation
- attention and participation
- executive functioning
- organisation
- motor planning
- coordination
- classroom routines
- independence
Observing the student within their everyday school environment can help the Occupational Therapist understand how the physical, sensory and organisational demands of school affect participation.
School Observations
Sometimes a full therapy session is not required.
A therapist may visit the school specifically to observe the student during classroom activities, transitions, playground activities or other relevant parts of the school day.
Observation may help identify factors affecting:
- communication
- participation
- regulation
- attention
- social interaction
- handwriting
- organisation
- independence
The therapist can then discuss findings and practical recommendations with the family and, where appropriate, school staff.
Working With Teachers & Learning Support Staff
Effective support often involves collaboration between the student, family, therapist and school.
With appropriate consent, our therapists may work with teachers, learning support staff and other professionals to develop practical strategies that can be incorporated into the student’s everyday school routine.
Support may include:
- teacher consultation
- classroom strategies
- communication recommendations
- literacy strategies
- social communication strategies
- AAC implementation
- sensory and regulation strategies
- executive functioning strategies
- handwriting recommendations
- environmental adjustments
- staff education
The aim is to develop strategies that are practical for the student’s real classroom environment.
Ongoing Therapy at School
For some students, regular therapy may be provided at school where this is clinically appropriate and agreed to by the family and school.
School-based therapy may allow the therapist to target goals within the environment in which the skills are needed.
Where appropriate, clinic-based and school-based therapy may also be used together.
One-Off School Visits
School visits do not always need to form part of an ongoing school therapy program.
Families may request a one-off school observation or consultation to help the therapist:
- better understand a particular concern
- observe classroom participation
- discuss strategies with educators
- assess environmental demands
- review communication or AAC use
- investigate handwriting or sensory concerns
- develop recommendations for school
The most appropriate approach will depend on the student’s needs and the purpose of the visit.
School-Based Assessments
Some components of Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy assessment may be undertaken within the school environment where appropriate.
This can provide useful information about how a student’s skills translate into everyday classroom participation.
Formal assessments may still need to occur in a quieter or more controlled environment depending on the type of assessment being completed.
Areas We Visit
Innerlink Therapy is based in Belmore and may provide school visits across Canterbury-Bankstown and surrounding areas.
Depending on therapist availability and travel requirements, school visits may be available around:
Belmore, Campsie, Canterbury, Lakemba, Punchbowl, Clemton Park, Earlwood, Croydon Park, Belfield, Strathfield, Burwood, and surrounding suburbs.
Availability depends on the location of the school, therapist availability and school requirements.
Arranging a School Visit
Before attending a school, appropriate consent and arrangements need to be made with the family and educational setting.
Our team can discuss:
- the reason for the visit
- the student’s therapy goals
- whether observation, consultation or therapy is most appropriate
- school requirements
- therapist availability
- travel requirements
- applicable fees or funding arrangements
Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss whether a school visit may be appropriate for your child.
Clinic-Based School-Age Therapy
Not every student needs therapy to occur at school.
Innerlink Therapy also provides Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy for school-age children and teenagers from our Belmore clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Speech Pathologist visit my child’s school? Yes. Speech Pathology school visits may be available depending on your child’s needs, therapist availability, school requirements and location.
Can an Occupational Therapist visit my child’s school? Yes. Occupational Therapy school visits may include observation, assessment, therapy, teacher consultation and recommendations related to handwriting, sensory processing, regulation, motor skills, executive functioning and classroom participation.
Does therapy have to happen at school? No. Many children receive therapy at our Belmore clinic. School visits are used when the school environment is relevant to the student’s assessment, goals or therapy.
Can you observe my child in the classroom? Yes. Classroom observations may be arranged where appropriate and with the necessary consent from the family and school.
Can your therapist speak with my child’s teacher? Yes. With appropriate consent, our therapists can collaborate with teachers, learning support staff and other professionals involved in supporting the student.
Do you provide regular therapy sessions at schools? Regular school-based therapy may be available where clinically appropriate and subject to therapist availability, location and school requirements.
What areas do you provide school visits to? Innerlink Therapy is based in Belmore and provides school visits across selected areas of Canterbury-Bankstown and surrounding Sydney suburbs. Availability depends on location and therapist capacity.
Can NDIS funding be used for school visits? Eligible NDIS participants may be able to use their funding for appropriate therapy supports delivered at school when these supports align with their individual goals and funding arrangements. Families should consider their individual NDIS plan and circumstances.