Therapy+ACT

Therapy ACT is a program area of the Community Services Directorate, providing a range of multidisciplinary therapy and support services for people of all ages with delays in development and developmental disabilities (ACT Government, 2011). They provide client specific service delivery as well as numerous other community based services. Therapy ACT also offer educational assistance directly to the ACT Department of Education and Training, usually through the provision of:
 * professional development for the department to assist them with helping children that have developmental delays and disabilities
 * classroom assistance/advice/programs pertaining to particular children that are accessing the service that have developmental delays or a disability

Therapy ACT works through individualised Intervention Plans with relevant personnel to work towards a common goal. A collaborative plan is developed with the client, parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists (Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services, 2010). The Intervention Plan developed is used to guide appropriate services and enable priorities and concerns to be discussed amongst relevant stakeholders, with goals and actions identified (ACT Government Community Services, 2011). Teachers, usually at primary school level, are highly involved in this process, which includes:
 * Partnerships with carers, teachers and significant others to develop and implement programs in the person’s natural environment allowing for generalisation of skills and practice opportunities.
 * Assessment, loan and recommendation of equipment and environmental modifications.
 * Provision of information documents such as reports.
 * Education and support for caregivers or other relevant stakeholders involved with the client.

As a teacher in an inclusive classroom, I would defiantly be using Therapy ACT as a supportive resource in my classroom teaching. Through their support (as outlined above) I would be able to identify appropriate outcomes and goals for individuals with special needs and provide increased opportunities to challenge and enhance their skills in varying contexts. A specific example could include a student with a physical disability in the primary school classroom setting, in which case Therapy ACT could assist the teacher in:
 * Developing partnerships and planning with significant others on how to reduce the handicap and maximise the classroom environment allowing for generalisation of skills and practice opportunities
 * Work together to assess further needs of the student and provide/loan the recommended equipment or assistance as necessary
 * Continue partnerships with ongoing support and collaboration, continual evaluation of students’ needs, and reassessing plans to ensure the provision of appropriate resources

References:

ACT Government Community Services. (2011). //ACT Community Services Directorate: Therapy ACT//. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from []

Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services ACT. (2010). //Annual Report Summary 2009-10//. Report Summary. ACT Government: Canberra ACT. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from []