Intensive Intervention Programs
There are two types of intensive intervention programs offered - In School Programs offered over a school Term and Centred-based Programs offered during school holidays.
In-School Programs
These programs are offered to schools that contact us about having an intensive program in their school. The Foundation will try to create a partnership with each school. The School has to provide space and ensure that they have between 8-10 children who are in need of an intensive program. The program has to be supported by the Principal, School Council, and families whose children attend the program.
The Foundation works with various Universities to obtain University students on formal placements at the school. Most Uni students attend the school 3 or 4 times per week for 6 to 8 weeks. They are expected to see a small number of children (8 to 10) each day for about 30 to 40 or 60 minutes. The Uni students must provide an appropriate treatment program that has been set up with discussions with relevant school staff and families. The Fildes Foundation then locates and employs highly qualified and experienced professionals (clinical educator supervisors) to work with the Uni students to set up the therapy or treatment program.
The clinical educator visits the school regularly when the Uni students are present to ensure that the quality of the therapy is of high standard. All Uni students are required to have measurable goals, provide an intensive treatment program that is fun, and keep track of progress daily. The Uni students prepare a report with a description of the program, the goals, the procedures, a chart of progress made, and recommendations. The clinical educator reviews these reports at the end of the program and provides copies to the school and family.
Centred-based Programs
The Centre-based programs are offered at various facilities - often schools that can provide us with a safe but fun and stimulating environment with a range of school-type activities. These activities often include—art, music, singing, drama, dance, physical education and the like. These programs are offered during school holiday periods or the summer break. The programs run from 9.00am until 3.00pm daily (Monday—Friday). These programs are similar to those offered in schools - however, the children attend all day and receive treatment (intervention) throughout the day.
The Foundation works with various Universities to get access to Uni students on formal placement. Typically we get about 10 Uni students from speech pathology, 4 from occupational therapy, and 2 or 3 from special education. The Foundation also then locates and employs a number of fully-qualified and experienced professionals to help run the programs and supervise the Uni students. Each week a different group of children attend the program. Appropriate therapy goals are set and worked on through a series of fun activities. Daily progress is measured and appropriate reports are provided at the end of the program. During a typical program week, we provide services to about 20 to 30 children. These children receive about 30 hours of therapy services - his is more than most children will receive in school or through private practitioners for an entire year.
