Support staff in Anguilla’s Primary schools for children with SEN.
In order to cater to the varying needs of students with disabilities several persons need to be involved to provide the support needed. Hence, every student who is identified as having a disability is supported by one or more of these staff members. In mainstream the support staff may include (but not limited to) special education teachers, speech pathologists,school psychologists, schoolnurses and counsellors.
Roles of support staff
The Special Needs Teacher
A special educational needs (SEN) teacher works with children and young people who have emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties, or physical disabilities. SEN teachers may also work with exceptionally gifted pupils.
They are involved in identifying all level of needs and are responsible for creating a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environment for special needs pupils. Generally, SEN teachers teach small groups or individuals, and adapt their teaching to meet the needs of individual pupils. They alsoliaise with other professionals such as social workers, speech therapists, educational psychologists and parents and guardians. In addition to preparing lessons, marking and assessing work, they maintain up to date records on pupils’ progress.
The Speech Pathologist
A speech pathologist is trained to assess and treat people who have a communication disability. Communication disabilities are the result of problems with speech, using and understanding language, voice, fluency, hearing, or reading and writing.
Who do speech pathologists work with?
A speech pathologist’s workload might include:
• working in a child care centre with a group of children who are hard to understand.
• working with a school child who cannot understand what his teacher says.
• working with children who stutter.
• providing communication strategies for children with an intellectual disability.
• working with children who have swallowing problems.
• assisting children who are learning to read.
The school counsellor
Contrary to what many people think, the role of school counsellors is not to give advice. Instead, they will help students to question the way they look at things, the way they behave or react to situations or people and they also help students to develop new strategies for dealing with a situation. Counsellors do this by getting to know their students, developing an understanding of their circumstances, listening to what they have to say and by offering support and insight. They assist with the variety of concerns students, parents, teachers, administrators and the school community may have.
The school nurse
The school nurse has a central management role in the implementation of the school health services program for all childrenin the school. Ideally, the school nurse collaborateswith primary care physicians, specialists, and local public healthand social service agencies to ensure a full spectrum of effectiveand quality services that sustain children, youth, and their families.The school nurse provides health education and healthcounseling and advocates for students with disabilities. All school health services are delivered in the overall contextof the child, the family, and the child’s overall health plan.
The school psychologist
The school psychologist evaluates a student who is referred as potentially qualifying for special education programs and services. The psychologist administers tests which measures intelligence, achievement, personality, and perceptual-motor skills. The psychologist also interprets psychological and other diagnostic data for parents, educators, students and others. In addition, other functions may include educational intervention, curriculum, management, and teaching strategies.
The physical therapist
Presently, physical therapists are not part of the schools’ support staff. Nonetheless, theyare persons whom parents can seek attention and advice from for children with physical disabilities.
A physical therapist uses exercise, massage and electrical stimulation to help children suffering from physical disabilities, or recovering from injuries, to become stronger, more flexible and mobile.
Each of the aforementioned support staff membersplays an integral role in determining the appropriateness and nature of service(s) each student requires. Some students may require one or more of these support staff members to work along with them in order to realize their full potential.
Contributed by Violet Martin
Special Needs Educator
