VISITING TEACHER SERVICE CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Visiting Teachers for Chronic Health and Physical Impairment Monika Davies Julie Edward Neville Reale

AIM OF THE VISITING TEACHER SERVICE To provide support to students with disabilities and impairments in Catholic schools. This support may take place in a variety of forms: Direct teaching Assistance with curriculum development Consultancy to PSG’s Professional development

CHRONIC HEALTH IMPAIRMENT The impairment must be confirmed by a medical specialist in writing at the time of the referral. The student has been absent from school for a block period in excess of four weeks or medical evidence supports this is likely to occur. The student’s ongoing absences from school exceed one third of total attendance time or medical evidence supports this is likely. The impairment is the primary cause of the student’s educational difficulties School refusal is not a factor in the current absence.

Chronic Health Impairment Cancer 6 Leukaemia 4 Chronic Fatigue 1 Crohn’s Disease 2 Heart Diseases 5 Juvenile arthritis 1 Hypermobility 2 Epilepsy 5 Kidney Transplant 1 Cystic Fibrosis 7 Kidney disease 3

PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT Impairment must be confirmed by a medical specialist in writing at the time of referral. The impairment must have a significant impact on the student’s educational progress.

Physical Impairments Examples of Physical Impairments Cerebral Palsy 13 Muscular Dystrophy 4 Spina Bifida 2 Acquired Brain Injury 1 Osteo Imperfecta 1

Visiting Teachers of Hearing Impairment Di Austin Anne Casey Colleen Dalton

HEARING IMPAIRMENT An audiogram of the student’s hearing must be provided with the referral form. Free assessments can be provided by Australian Hearing Services. Students must be diagnosed with a permanent hearing loss - either sensori- neural, conductive or unilateral. The service provided will be dependent on the impact the hearing loss has on the student’s educational progress.

TYPES OF HEARING LOSS Sensori-neural Loss Permanent loss. Damage to inner ear Ranges from mild to profound loss. Hearing aids fitted. Conductive Loss Usually temporary Damage to ear canal, middle ear or outer ear Ranges from mild to moderate loss. Hearing aids are sometimes fitted.

Contact details For hearing tests will provide you with the closest Australian Hearing centre. Or ring

Visiting Teacher For Vision Impairment Odette Budge

VISION IMPAIRMENT The visual condition must be defined as actual vision impairment and not a learning difficulty involving visual perception. A distance acuity less the 6/18 when measured with correction and both eyes open OR a visual field reduction to less than 20 degrees. Must provide supporting documentation from a ophthalmologist, which must be written no more than 6 months prior to the referral date.

LEGALLY BLIND Children who have a vision of 6/60 or less are eligible for funding under LNSLN program They may be eligible for extra equipment eg Computer or software for a computer, reading boards tape recorder. Curtains for the classroom.

6/36 vision is only being able to detect these letters on the chart at 6 metres Normal vision 6/6 is being able to detect this row of letters at 6 metres Visual Acuity :Distance

EVAC A further assessment may also be recommended to Educational Vision Assessment Clinic at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital. The EVAC team includes a consultant paediatriciac opthalmologist, an educational psychologist and the Education Officer of Vision Impairment.