Student Support Services

Overbrook School for the Blind provides many Student Support Services: Nursing, Nutrition and Diet, Case Management, and Psychology. Overbrook also offers a comprehensive list of Related Therapeutic Services for eligible students.

 

• NURSING (HEALTH SERVICES)—Our staff of Registered Nurses is on duty to meet the student’s routine and emergency needs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
   
• PSYCHOLOGY Danielle Sychterz, Ed.S., NCSP, BCBA, School Psychologist & Title IX Coordinator Middle School — School psychology services include educational testing, crisis intervention, ongoing counseling, behavioral assessment, and management. The school psychologist is a full-time employee who provides support to students, staff, and families. The psychological services provided include psychoeducational evaluation, crisis prevention, and intervention training, threat assessment, individual and group counseling, social skills training, functional behavior assessment, positive behavior support plan development, and school-wide positive behavior support. As the Title IX coordinator for students, the school psychologist ensures that any instances of suspected sexual harassment between students are investigated and handled appropriately. Danielle Sychterz is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). She holds a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, a specialist degree in education from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis.  She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
  
  

  Evaluation Resources for School Psychologists
  Recommended References for School Psychologists tasked with the initial and reevaluation of students with visual impairments.
   

• NUTRITION— Cathy Dorozio School nutrition services include consultation with the development of the student monthly menu, wellness initiatives and consultation with the staff and students regarding nutritional concerns. Learn more about diet and nutrition here. 
   
• CASE MANAGEMENT—Case management services are contracted through a team of social workers who assist family and students who need help with medical or social issues. This service is available to all families.
  
   

School-Based Therapy Services / Orientation & Mobility (Related Services)
Coordinator: Jo Ann McNamee

Lead Therapist: Vicki Brunswick

Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy, Orientation & Mobility, and Audiology, services at Overbrook School for the Blind are to assist students to maximize their functional potential and independence in their educational environment. The purpose of all these specialized services is to increase a student’s active participation in classroom and school activities.

Curriculum: Therapy/O & M supports the Expanded Core Curriculum as well as supporting the students in accessing their curriculums (Creative Curriculum, Unique Curriculum)

Professional. Supportive. Experts.

OSB is committed to providing a comprehensive education for all of our students, including therapeutic and student support services. The purpose of all these specialized services is to maximize student potential by increasing a student’s active participation in the Expanded Core Curriculum

OSB'S THERAPY AND O & M SERVICES ARE:

• Based on an individualized student evaluation
• Developed in concert with the student, family & the entire educational team
• Focused on functional goals & outcomes
• Defined in the student’s IEP
• Integrated within functional routines and environments

SERVICES ARE DELIVERED IN A VARIETY OF FORMATS AND CAN INCLUDE:

• Individual or group instruction
• Instructional Staff training on individualized student intervention plans
• Instructional Staff training on use of adaptive equipment
• Consultative service to staff and or family

OUR SPECIALISTS ENCOURAGE:

• Parent/family involvement
• Team member collaboration & communication
• Interaction and communication with community medical care specialist

Therapists and O&M Specialists provide services within the student's functional routines and in a variety of environments. Through team discussions, goals are identified and how, when, where the student needs support to achieve those goals. Therapy/O & M is integrated with all of the programs and collaboration occurs naturally to support the students.

Learn more about School-Based Therapy Services by discipline:

• Audiology

• Orientation and Mobility

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Speech Therapy