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The Multi-Disciplinary Team. |
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The Multi-Disciplinary Team comprises of an Honorary Medical Officer, Community Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech & Language Therapists, a Pastoral Care Person/Chaplain and a Psychiatrist. Their work is conducted through individual and group work and they are available to support/guide families as requested and will visit people in their homes should the need arise The
Honorary Medical Officer provides The
Speech & Language Therapist There are several ways to express language.
Speaking, using natural gestures or sign language, writing and using
computerised communication devices are a few of the most common modalities.
A Speech & Language Therapist assesses speech and language development
and develops an intervention/treatment plan based on the assessment
results. Children & adults may be treated individually, in small
groups and/or within the consultative and collaborative (staff and family)
education and training basis. Speech & Language Therapists work as
part of a multi-disciplinary team approach. Areas of intervention
include the following: articulation/oral motor for speech production, eating/drinking
and swallowing, Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), Receptive
and Expressive language and vocabulary, social/pragmatics and overall
functional communication to the best of one's abilities. The
Occupational Therapist O.T. focuses on the
ability of an individual to perform daily life tasks. This involves
assessment of motor, process, sensory and development skills in daily
activities, such as, Intervention may be therapeutic to improve the motor, sensory, social and cognitive function or adaptive to provide for specialised equipment. Intervention can be individual or in groups and takes place in most appropriate environment. The OT works within a team and with families to realise a person’s potential and improve their quality of life. The
Physiotherapist assesses abilities, implements and/or advises on
interventions to enhance service user's full potential e.g. mobility, balance
and coordination (gross motor functions). Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and
behaviour: how we think, how we act, react and interact individually and in
groups. Psychology is concerned with all aspects of behaviour and the
thoughts, feelings and motivations underlying such behaviour. All
psychologists undertake studies in the following areas; biological basis of
behaviour, developmental and lifespan psychology, cognitive psychology,
social psychology, organizational psychology, personality and individual
differences, and research design. Visiting Psychiatrist operates a clinic at our main campus on Baker's Road, Charleville. The
Social Worker aims to provide ongoing support and counselling as
required for service users and their families. Social Workers act as
advocates for service users and families and seek to inform them of their
entitlements. Referrals for Early Intervention, Day Services, Home Support,
Respite and Residential care are directed to the Social Worker. The Social
Worker serves as a contact point between the Foundation and families. Community Nurse-Early Intervention. The Community Nurse in early Early Intervention offers support, advice and practical help to families of children with special needs within the home e.g. medical issues, implementation of home programmes, Lámh training, toilet training etc. The Community Nurse liaises between community pre-schools and parents and supports families alongside the Multi-disciplinary Team in the transition from pre-school to mainstream national schools. The Community Nurse also attends 1st mainstream National School IEP with parents and relevant MDT members and consultancy service thereafter. Community
Nurse - Adult Services. Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy Pastoral Care services are
offered by a lay chaplain to service users, families and staff. It aims
to support children and adults by acknowledging the whole person
and helping to meet the spiritual needs of the individual along with physical
and emotional needs. The service is available to all regardless of their
religious beliefs.
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