The Beverly School for the Deaf (BSD) has the following full-time staff to meet the needs of our students:
Our Speech and Language Team possess Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and knowledge in Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC). They provide language, speech, and functional communication skill development services to students one-on-one and in small groups.
Our Physical Therapy team works with children who have physical disabilities that impede their ability to fully participate in the school day. Student needs vary and as such, Physical Therapy differs for each child. Physical therapy often occurs in the therapy room using a variety of therapeutic equipment to help stretch tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, facilitate balance and coordination, and practice other gross motor skills.
Our Occupational Therapy team specializes in pediatric and sensory integration treatment. The Occupational Therapist has professional certification from Sensory Integration International and is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT). Occupational therapy services are given to improve sensory processing, visual perceptual/visual motor skills, fine motor skills, vocational, and self-care skills such as dressing and feeding.
Our school counselor’s primary goal is to help children succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Connections between home and school are made to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students. The counselor understands individual strengths and weaknesses, determines social-emotional development and mental health status, evaluates eligibility for special services, and evaluates learning environments.
Our clinical team focuses on students identified with behavioral needs. The Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Director function as part of a multi-disciplinary team with an educational focus across all IEP goals. The team consults with faculty in order to recommend activities, model appropriate programs, review behavioral/psychological development, and maintain data of student progress toward goals and objectives.
The nursing team distributes medication and administers feeding procedures. They care for sick and injured students and are available to provide emergency medical care. In addition, they maintain health records; recommend and implement school policies to comply with established health laws such as immunization requirements and communicable disease procedures; and provide in-service education for school personnel to ensure that staff is current on health and safety issues.
The coordinator meets weekly with each teacher to determine curriculum goals and helps obtain the required curriculum materials. The coordinator works with teachers to ensure they are implementing the appropriate Massachusetts Curriculum Framework goals, based on the individual needs and IEP of each student. This department oversees student MCAS preparation and testing, and submission of MCAS Alternative Assessment portfolios.
The library and media specialist helps classroom teachers find books and other media materials related to the curriculum areas they are teaching.
Our LifeSkills Program involves a multidisciplinary team approach including teachers and therapists. Centered on student-focused planning, student development, family engagement and interagency collaboration our goal is to prepare our students for their best life after graduation taking into consideration their interests, strengths and needs. We provide experiences for our students to participate in on campus vocational exploration, supported work based learning in the community, volunteer opportunities as well as community outings to expand their interests, identify preferences and further develop transitional skills.