The Multi-Disciplinary Team.
	The Multi-Disciplinary Team comprises of an Honorary Medical Officer, Community Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech & Language Therapists and a visiting Psychiatrist and Consultant Paediatrician. 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 St. Joseph's Foundation with a general medical service as well as clinical support to the Multi-Disciplinary Team. Speech & Language Therapy Department People who have an intellectual disability and/or ASD often have difficulties with their communication skills. They may find it hard to understand us and we can find it difficult to understand them. The Speech and Language Therapy Department of St. Joseph’s Foundation aims to support service users develop these skills and developing the skills of carers and staff to enhance communication. Please click here for more information 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, dressing, bathing, writing and play. This takes place across environments i.e. home, school, work and during recreation 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). Please click here for more information 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. Please click here for more information Visiting Psychiatrist & Consultant Paediatrician 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. Please click here for Contact Listing Community Nurse-Early Intervention. The Community Nurse in 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.   Additional home nursing hours maybe provided to children with complex medical/palliative care needs. A monthly paediatric clinic is run with a visiting community paediatrician. 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. Contact: Ms. Ber Ryan, Community Nurse – Early Intervention Phone (063) 89252 or (063) 21677 or (087) 8541631 E-mail: bryan@stjosephsfoundation.ie Community Nurse - Adult Services. The Community Clinical Nurse Specialist working within adult services provides a comprehensive service to people with special needs over 18 years of age and their families. The Community Nurse visits services users in their homes where she provides medical advice and intervention; carries out programmes and makes referrals to other professionals within her own multi-disciplinary team or outside agencies. The Community Nurse also runs a weekly clinic with a visiting consultant Psychiatrist and provides Lámh training to both staff and families. Contact: Ms. Emer Williams, Community Nurse – Adult Services Phone (063) 89252 or (063) 33315 or (087) 9102743 E-mail: ewilliams@stjosephsfoundation.ie The Music Therapist Music therapy is the clinical use of music in the accomplishment of therapeutic aims with service users of any age (early intervention to elder care). Music therapy may address emotional well being, cognitive skills, social functioning and sensory needs.  Seeking to create or develop an alternative means of expression and interaction is one of the primary functions of music therapy. It provides opportunities for non verbal and verbal expression, interaction and communication. The Music Therapists assesses each referred service user and designs a goal oriented programme to address their identified needs. The service user’s progress is documented and evaluated. 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