Psychological Services
School Psychologist: Diane Benjamin, Ph.D.
Office: E-107 (E-wing located in D-School)
Telephone #: 624-3973 option 6
The Prescriptive Education Program is based on a psychoeducational model. The Program utilizes a team approach with teachers, parents, psychologists, administrators, and other related service staff members working together with and for the child. A student’s success in the program is enhanced when the educational, psychological, and family support systems work together in an integrated manner.
The students in the Spirit program also receive psychological services; in the form of counseling, pragmatic language groups, observation, case management, parent consultation, and teacher consultation.
Psychological Services provided on behalf of the student can include:
Group Counseling- students can participate in at least one group counseling session per week to focus on school and social skills related issues. The social-emotional goals identified on the child’s IEP will be addressed to promote school productivity.
Individual Counseling- students are provided with one to one counseling usually on an as needed basis- Who decides the need? The student, parent, teacher, administrator, psychologist, etc. Anyone who has a concern about the student can ask for individual sessions.
Parent Consultation- parents of children in our program have often spent many years of their child’s school life hearing negative feedback from school personnel, etc. Periodic meetings are available to enhance communication, share possible concerns, as well as identify successful strategies that work for the student at school and perhaps at home, and to provide an opportunity to hear some “good news” about the student. Parents are welcomed to call anytime there is a need.
Teacher Consultation- as mentioned earlier, a psychoeducational model works best when psychologist and teachers consult with one another on a regular basis. The PEC staff meet informally on a daily basis, as well as having two weekly planning sessions, to help integrate and coordinate care related to the child's educational and social-emotional needs.
Coordination with Private Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Pediatricians, etc.- students are sometimes under the care of a variety of medical doctors and/or private therapists- in addition, students are sometimes privately evaluated for specific concerns- it is important that information is shared in a mutually beneficial manner to help the child- observations and evaluations in school can help private practitioners better plan for the child's care. Information gathered from private evaluations and practices can be assimilated into the child’s school program.