THERAPY IN MATER DEI SCHOOL
In-Class Therapy commenced in 2019 as a whole class group therapy program and has evolved into a comprehensive model that allows Therapists to provide individualised therapy supports in the classroom. Students access their NDIS Capacity Building funds or pay privately for this service.
Why ICT?
Research indicates therapy should be integrated into the classroom for the following reasons:
- Children learn the skills they need in the places they will use them
- Children have increased practice opportunities
- Children's social relationships are fostered
- Children don’t miss out on classroom activities
- Teachers can see what therapists do to help expand their skills and see if strategies are feasible
- Teachers and therapists focus on skills that will be immediately useful
- Therapists can work with teachers to address problems as they arise
Recent research about the effectiveness of Speech and Occupational Therapy in the classroom also shows:
- In-class therapy models have proven effective for students with OT goals, particularly in enhancing fine motor skills, handwriting, and functional classroom participation.
- In-class therapy models have proven effective for students with speech pathology goals, particularly in improving language skills, social communication and functional classroom participation.
- In-class therapy models support students’ participation in everyday school activities, increases their engagement, and fosters collaborative problem-solving between therapists, teachers, and students, leading to more personalised and effective interventions.
The In-Class Therapy Model at Mater Dei also allows for:
- A dedicated team of therapists from NextPath Assessment & Therapy working with a large number of Mater Dei students and teachers
- Collaboration opportunities between teachers and therapists
- Therapists attending parent/teacher interviews
- Therapist input to school report
- Predictable scheduling and minimal disruption to classroom routines (e.g. compared to students being withdrawn for one on one services)
In-Class Therapy - Cost Breakdown
The cost breakdown of the In-Class Therapy model:
In-Class therapy runs for 37 weeks of the 2025 calendar year, starting in term 1, week 1.
In-Class therapy is expected to run in 2026, so funding to continue the program next year is recommended.
View the below brochures to learn more about In-Class Therapy and understand our Pricing model.
Primary School - Kindergarten to Year 6
High School - Year 7 to Year 12
