Therapies & Services

3:1 Therapy Model

Larc utilizes the innovative and collaborative 3:1 Therapy Model in which students receive three weeks of direct services and one week of therapy services focusing on parent support, training, and in-class integrated lessons.

We have 14 therapists on staff providing Social Work Services, Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy. Together along with our teachers and paraprofessionals, they give each student a voice and help them reach their greatest potential.

Social Work

Our Certified School Social Worker addresses the psychological and social well-being of Larc School students and their families, and coordinates our educational workshops and schedules our parent groups. Working closely with teachers, staff therapists, and parents, our school social worker provides counseling, information and referrals to help solve problems. Whether parents need information, resources or just someone to talk to, our school social worker is always here to help.

Our school social worker also provides direct support to help families establish a smooth transition from school to adult life. Assistance is available for applying for Medicaid and Social Security eligibility, applying for New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities eligibility, completing the NJ-Cat Assessment, researching day services, choosing a Support Coordinator, and securing guardianship.

School Psychologist

Larc’s staff Certified School Psychologist provides direct and individualized support for students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach.

All children can face problems from time to time related to behavior and managing emotions, learning, social relationships, or making difficult decisions. Our school psychologist also helps support the needs of diverse learners by conducting psychological and academic assessments, helping with IEP development, collaborating with teaching staff on curriculum and instruction modifications, and suggesting ways to improve student engagement and learning.

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology (AT) helps students with disabilities to effectively access educational services. Examples may include sophisticated devices and solutions like augmentative communication devices, adaptive keyboards, computer modifications, or specialized software; alternately, AT can also include simple modifications like pencil grips or velcro on gloves to help the student hold classroom items.

Our staff includes a full-time certified assistive technology assistant who works collaboratively with teachers and therapists to find solutions to problems, and create alternatives designed to enhance communication, mobility, positioning, and access to classroom technology, as well as researching new technologies that might be of help to Larc students.

Occupational Therapy

Larc provides Occupational Therapy (OT) to address sensory, perceptual and motor problems that may impact a students learning and the development of life skills. Our certified occupational therapists use proven treatment techniques and sensory integration exercises to help students address the demands of learning and daily living. OT is integrated with each students curriculum in accordance with their IEP, from their earliest years in school through their later years in transition and vocational experiences.

Physical Therapy

Larc’s Physical Therapy (PT) services help students to make progress in natural learning environments when their disability affects the ability to access, participate, and make progress. Our certified physical therapists develop and recommend individualized strategies, modifications, and adaptive aids to ensure the student is able be included in all school activities. Examples include activities to improve and refine large muscle control and balance, promote sensorimotor development (body awareness, movement and postural control), and to maximize independence in mobility skills.

Speech Therapy

Communication skills are essential for education and success in life. Larc provides speech therapy services to address speech and language impairments that may impact a student’s educational, social and general development. Our certified staff speech therapist identifies specific speech and language problems and develops individualized programs to improve articulation, fluency, voice, language and swallowing when needed. The speech therapist may also work collaboratively with teaching staff and families on ways to facilitate the student’s communication in the classroom and at home.

Adaptive Physical Education

Many Larc students require special adaptations to participate in physical education. PE instruction and activities are adapted for each student as needed. Our State-Certified Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher designs activities to improve muscle tone, coordination, flexibility, and motor skills, and are tailored for each student so they may participate effectively. PE is also a chance for our students to learn important values and skills, such as teamwork, attending to rules, cooperating with their peers, and good sportsmanship — all skills that are important throughout life.