School Counsellor

The KDEC school counsellor's key task is to counsel Deaf students at KDEC and in Satellite classes, and also to work with their families and caregivers. This counselling service is confidential.

The counselling role also includes teaching Deaf student's health, puberty, life skills, relationships, safety, wellness, anger management, assertion and sexuality topics.

Counselling aims to help Deaf students identify, understand and deal with personal issues and challenges. Deaf students are encouraged to understand themselves, overcome challenges they maybe experiencing, and learn skills and strategies to develop into happy and confident adults.

The counselling service offered to families and caregivers provides opportunities to explore, understand and clarify the feelings involved when living with a Deaf child, and to work through challenges that may be of concern.

Speech Language Therapist

There are two full-time and one part-time Speech Language Therapists (SLT) at KDEC. They provide a service to the students at the base school and at units in the Auckland area.

SLT’s conduct assessments of students’ overall communication skills, based on assessment results, therapy objectives are determined.

Goals may include work upon: 
· Education/Life Skills - In relation to language/communication
· Auditory Training / Listening
· Language Development
· Speech and Voice Production
· Communication Skills

Therapy is provided in individual, small group or classroom-based sessions, depending on the needs of the students or timetabling requirements. SLT’s regularly work with other professionals including Teachers, Audiologists, Educational Associates, Cochlear Habilitationist and Advisors on Deaf Children. 

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapy looks at the child’s physical skills. Each child is assessed and their need addressed through individual or group therapy sessions and home programme in consultation with the child’s teacher and family. 

 Occupational Therapist

Each child that is referred for Occupational Therapy is assessed and their needs are addressed through individual or group therapy sessions, home programmes, consultation with the teacher and family.

 
Psychologist

Psychological services are available two days per week. Referral for this service needs to be made in writing. The referral form is provided and because the Psychologist has a limited amount of time, referrals are prioritised.