Student Support Services
School Psychology Assessments N/A
Speech and Language Pathology Services
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide school-based support to students whose education is impacted by communication difficulties (including speech sounds, language, social communication, voice, fluency, and the need for alternative and augmentative communication systems).
Following screening or assessment, speech-language services may be offered in a variety of ways, depending on the student’s needs. Some typical options include: monitoring, providing home practice suggestions and/or materials, collaborating and consulting with parents and school staff, setting goals in conjunction with parents and the school team, taking part in IEP/SBT meetings, providing therapy services in small groups, in the classroom, or individually, providing modelling and support, or a combination of these approaches.
Services may be provided by either the SLP or the speech-language pathologist assistant (SLPA) at the school. SLPAs work under the direction of the supervising SLP, who interprets all screening/assessment data, sets goals for services, monitors and reports on student progress.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists (OTs) support individuals with all their daily activities (occupations). Occupations for students include attending & engaging at school, fine and gross motor activities, social interactions, play skills, feeding/eating, toileting and transitions. OTs also consider environmental factors (e.g. physical, social, socioeconomic, institutional and cultural) and aspects specific to a person (e.g. sensory processing, regulation and executive functioning),) in order to best support to each individual within their particular environment.
Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing N/A
Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI)
Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVIs) support equitable access to learning for students with visual impairments, including those with additional exceptionalities and deafblindness. Working across school sites, TSVIs provide both direct instruction and consultative support based on individual student needs.
TSVIs teach skills from the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and collaborate with classroom teachers, school teams, and families to ensure the BC curriculum is accessible and meaningful. They also support students in using adaptive tools, specialized materials, and assistive technology to promote independence and full participation in school life.
Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC)
The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) consists of nine essential skill areas that address the unique needs of students with visual impairments and support the development of independence:
- Social interaction skills
- Compensatory skills
- Sensory efficiency skills
- Recreation and leisure skills
- Self-determination skills
- Access technology skills
- Independent living skills
- Orientation and mobility skills
- Career and vocational skills
