Allied Health Professionals
Within, Cedar Lodge School we are supported by a range of Allied Health Professionals including - Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and additional services - (see below for some further information)
SEN Orthoptists
The SEN Specialist Orthoptists that visit the special schools in Belfast are employed by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
The Specialist Orthoptists are registered members of the Health and Care Professions Council.
Orthoptists investigate, diagnose and treat conditions affecting the eyes including defects of vision, eye movements and binocular vision. Orthoptists are specially trained to assess vision in children and adults who are unable to communicate verbally.
The role of the Specialist Orthoptists is to ascertain how your child sees and uses their vision. This information can be used to facilitate the promotion of visual abilities, education and daily activities. The Specialist Orthoptists will work alongside teachers and therapists, providing advice on a child’s visual difficulties and how to optimise vision to ensure a holistic approach to your child’s care.
The Orthoptists may need to refer some children on to the Optometrist for a glasses test and eye health check, or to the Ophthalmologist. These appointments would be carried out in the hospital setting.
Orthoptic treatment may include:
- Glasses
- Patching (if the vision in one eye is weaker compared to the other)
- Exercises
For more information on Orthoptics:
References:
The Role of the Orthoptist within the Special School Service – BIOS
