Therapy at Stony Dean School
At Stony Dean, our Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) teams work closely with teachers and support staff to help every pupil develop the communication, regulation, and life skills they need to succeed at school and beyond.
We focus on building pupils’ independence, confidence, and employability, ensuring therapy is not a separate service but part of everyday learning. Our integrated model means therapy is embedded across lessons, social times, and real-life experiences.
How Therapy Works at Stony Dean
We follow the Balanced System® Model, which provides three levels of support:
- Universal Support – for everyone
Every pupil benefits from a communication- and regulation-friendly environment.
We use visuals, key words, and structured routines across lessons.
Therapists work alongside teachers in the classroom, modelling strategies and supporting LSAs to embed good practice throughout the day.
Universal SALT support continues but is now delivered through EHCP-linked sessions that help staff implement pupils’ targets effectively.
- Targeted Support – for small groups or specific needs
Some pupils receive extra support for particular areas such as social communication, emotional regulation, or sensory needs.
Interventions include Zones of Regulation, Lego-Based Therapy, Attention Autism, Colourful Semantics, Rainbow Road, and Social Stories.
This support may be delivered in small groups or through in-class coaching.
- Specialist Support – for individual and complex needs
A few pupils require intensive, personalised therapy. This may include AAC (augmentative communication), dysphagia management, or specialist sensory and motor interventions. Therapists also work closely with families and external professionals to ensure joined-up support.
Preparing for Life Beyond School
Therapy at Stony Dean supports pupils from pre-admission through to post-16 transitions. Our therapists work with employers and mainstream partners to help pupils thrive in work placements, supported internships, and adult life.
To learn more, you can read our full Therapy Overview Document here.
