Speech Language Therapy (SLT)
Speech language therapists assess both receptive and expressive communication skills. Our students use a variety of methods to communicate with those around them. Children benefit from specialised equipment such as a communication books or voice output communication aids. Our speech language therapists also support students who have eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties to achieve quality eating and drinking skills. In rare cases, swallowing safety may also need to be assessed and managed.
Susie Mole is the therapy team coordinator and is responsible for the day to day running of the therapy team. Susie provides SLT services across our base school, and satellite classes at Victory Primary School and Nayland College. Susie has a background in Speech Language Therapy in special schools in Auckland.
Susie can be contacted at: susie.mole@maitai.school.nz
Hilde Van Santen has worked as a Speech Language Therapist in New Zealand for several years, mostly in Specialist education. She works with our students at our Henley/Waimea Satellite to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability as well as developing their understanding and use of language.
Hilde can be contacted at: hilde.vansanten@maitai.school.nz
Music Therapy (MT)
Registered Music Therapists (RMTs) work with students to enable access to the school curriculum; support IEP and curriculum goals, and to support functional skill development as prioritised at school. RMT’s work in both individual and group settings within a holistic, therapeutic framework.
Emma Matthews is a Registered Music Therapist and provides music therapy services at Maitai School.
Emma can be contacted at: emma.matthews@maitai.school.nz
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with students to enable access to the school curriculum; support IEP and curriculum goals, and to support functional skill development as prioritised at school. OTs can support in the following areas (can crossover with other therapists): motor skills, self-care and life skills, sensory needs and sensory processing skills and specialist equipment and property needs.
Emily Wood is one of our occupational therapists. As well as providing occupational therapy services, She is also the staff board of trustees representative, and a key member of the design team for the school rebuild.
Emily can be contacted at: emily@maitai.school.nz
Kirsten Pickwell is an Occupational Therapist at our school. She has a background in physical health and mental health sectors. She provides OT services at the Maitai Henley Satellite.
Kirsten can be contacted at: kirsten.pickwell@maitai.school.nz
Physiotherapist (PT)
The role of the physiotherapist includes looking at safe manual handling and transfers, maintaining flexibility and strength, developing gross motor skills, and supporting enrichment programmes such as hydrotherapy and RDA.
Kate Booker is the contracted Physiotherapist at Maitai School. The PT’s role at Maitai School includes looking at safe manual handling and transfers, maintaining flexibility and strength, developing gross motor skills, supporting enrichment programmes such as hydrotherapy and RDA.
Kate can be contacted at: kate.booker@maitai.school.nz
Educational Psychologist
Janet Tavener is our school psychologist. The role of the psychologist is to respond to student, teacher, and whānau need through the therapy referral processes, and as a member of the BIT team (behaviour intervention). The psychologist is able to provide an extra level of support to our school – wide programmes, and Janet has a long career of providing psychology services in and around the Nelson region.
Janet can be contacted at: janet.tavener@maitai.school.nz
Arts Therapy
Arts Therapy uses the creative process of art making for personal growth; to explore and express feelings and emotions, and to improve and enhance mental and emotional health and well-being. The Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) incorporates a range of medium and/or media; including, visual arts, dramatic arts, dance/movement, mindfulness, nature-connected arts and creative writing to guide therapeutic interventions and aims. Arts Therapy is an accessible modality for all students; the individual is encouraged to celebrate their own unique creative voice as they communicate and journey with the arts.
Cindy Shield is a registered Creative Arts Therapist (Clinical) and member of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA).
Cindy can be contacted at: cindy@maitai.school.nz
Social Skills Teacher
Lisa Shymkus is our social skills teacher. Lisa works in pairs or groups of students with cooperation and partnership encouraged and incorporates skills such as:
- providing structure and predictability
- fostering self-awareness and self -esteem
- turn-taking, sharing and waiting
- fostering friendship skills and appropriate greetings
- supporting eye gaze
Lisa can be contacted at: lisa.shymkus@maitai.school.nz