'Huge need' for school therapists

For occupational therapist Keith Morton-Macphail, the most frustrating aspect of his school losing therapists next year is that there is such a huge job for them to do.

Mt Roskill Primary School's Endeavour Centre will lose funding for two additional therapists next year in the Government's cost-cutting.

Mr Morton-Macphail, whose position is affected, cannot understand why this is happening when the system is working effectively. "There is a clear need there, and an ongoing need."

He is part of a team of five therapists, some part-time, who help children with a wide range of needs across the curriculum.

The centre's 34 primary school-aged children have conditions including cerebral palsy, severe autism, developmental delays, hearing and vision impediments.

They are learning on purpose-built computer equipment, exercising on purpose-built tricycles and taking part in individually tailored occupational, physical and speech and language therapy programmes.

Therapy has enabled some to gain control of their hands; others have learned to communicate through words, pictures or signs - and they are becoming prepared to participate in the mainstream classroom.

Parent Rachel Jansen said the co-operation between the therapists, teachers and teacher aides had had an immediate impact on her son James, 9, who has a rare genetic disorder called Cohen Syndrome.

James' complex needs were not able to be met in a mainstream school, but regular physiotherapy at the Endeavour Centre helps him maintain muscle strength and is vital to his learning.

He also receives occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.

"James is unable to write, and considerable effort is being put into assisting him to develop his hand dexterity so he can firmly hold a pencil ... We have seen progress through the incredible intervention he receives," she said.

James' therapy is possible through a combination of Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS) funding and extra money from the $2.5 million fund, which allows Endeavour Centre manager Jill Gilberd to employ one physiotherapist, two occupational therapists and two speech and language therapists.

Mrs Gilberd said the centre's teachers, teacher aide and therapists already find there are not enough hours in the day and get burnt out.

Cutting out two fulltime equivalent therapists would mean a highly successful picture-exchange method of communication, which the school has invested heavily in, would be likely to fail, as would activities such as weekly swimming sessions.

The school has traditionally accepted physio and occupational therapy interns throughout the year, but Mrs Gilberd said it would be unlikely to offer this if staff responsibilities were stretched.

Mr Morton-Macphail said he was worried about the extent of follow-up therapy children would receive from outside contractors, as it was unrealistic to expect outside health professionals to carry out the daily, intensive physiotherapy that children needed after major operations.

Jonathan Warren, president of the New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists, said physiotherapy and occupational therapy were essential for children with high physical needs to enable them to learn, interact with others and maximise their potential.

"Without these therapies the children will struggle in the educational system and need greater levels of support in the future."