Supporting success in the classroom
A child’s experience at school has a profound impact on many levels – academic, social and self-perception. At Amy Zier & Associates, we understand that supporting success in the classroom requires a two-pronged approach that focuses specialized resources on both the student and the educator, for the best possible outcomes.
That’s why our practice extends beyond our clinics and into the schools to provide services, which range from one-to-one consultations with children to teacher training, and efforts that bring together educators, students, parents and other providers.
It begins with you
To discuss a specific situation at your school or to learn more about resources we provide to other school, please contact our Educational Coordinator, Amy Zier at
amy@amyzier.com.
Pediatric Handwriting Group
A critical skill for participation in school and for communication throughout a lifetime, the pediatric handwriting group provides specialized therapy to support the motor, perceptual and sequential building blocks necessary for writing. It begins with the development of a unique treatment plan for each child, based on specific areas of weakness that may be impacting the ability to write with ease. In addition, consultation with the child’s teacher is also provided if necessary to ensure these specific techniques are supported in the classroom to maximize your child’s capacities. For handwriting groups currently being offered, please check our
programs & services page.
Join our Handwriting Pilot Program
To improve handwriting performance and self-confidence in the classroom, The Write Group handwriting pilot program is designed to support children at risk for handwriting challenges. Through handwriting practice, bodywork and sensory-motor activities, an Amy Zier & Associates occupational therapist will help the child to overcome barriers to develop age-appropriate handwriting necessary for learning. A collaborative process between therapist, teacher and students, the program will offer recommendations for strategies, adaptations and equipment for subsequent implementation in the classroom.
Who: Teachers are asked to identify three first grade students with handwriting difficulties that may include:
• Difficulty forming letters
• Illegible writing
• Improper sizing of letters
• Improper spacing between letters, words and the overall page
• Letter reversals
• Slow writing speed
• Poor endurance when writing
Participating students be screened to ensure program eligibility.
When: The group will meet twice each week for 30 minutes, during the school day when handwriting normally occurs in the classroom. The six-week program will include pre- and post-assessments, which will take approximately 10 minutes per child.
Cost: This pilot program is being offered at no cost to the school or families during this research period.
To include your child or students from your class in
The Write Group pilot program, please contact
Amy Zier at 773-755-7791.
Handwriting Without Tears
Focus on writing readiness, printing and cursive, with multisensory lessons that address all learning styles - visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic. Unique materials and appealing workbooks eliminate problems with letter formation, reversals, legibility, sentence spacing and cursive connections. This approach is incorporated into our ‘Handwriting Intensives' as well as into weekly individual treatment sessions and home programs.
Sensory Integration Theory and Practice for Teachers Seminar
This full day course will be tailored to teachers and focus on
sensory integration and how this impacts classroom performance and academic
learning.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
8:00-4:00pm
Registration: $85.00 ($75.00 each for groups of four or more)
*Registration deadline: March 15, 2012
Course Objectives:
1. Understand the sensory system and how it impacts a child’s behavior.
2. Understand the relationship
between sensory integration challenges and postural control, ability to plan
and sequence, and development of motor skills.
3. Identify and implement
screening tools for identifying specific sensory challenges.
4. Identify and understand
classroom strategies designed to help a child’s sensory needs.
5. Understand how best to
begin collaboration with families around their child’s unique profile
Click here to download the registration form