Paul Holmes
Director of RSD Services for Children
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Support Services

Audiological Assessment and Services

The RSD audiologist is located right on campus to ensure prompt attention to any audiological issue a student may encounter during the school day. The audiologist utilizes the latest assessment strategies, diagnostic technologies and equipment to support students and to provide audiological examinations and assessments during the intake evaluation process.

Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Services

The RSD audiologist monitors students’ hearing aids and Cochlear Implants to ensure that the equipment performs at optimum levels. The audiologist dispenses and repairs hearing aids and earmolds and provides students with opportunities to use digital hearing aids on a trial basis. RSD also coordinates hearing aid and Cochlear Implant services for students provided by external agencies.

Medical Services at RSD are supervised by an attending physician and includes 24-hour nursing care. Nurses are available for a variety of services, including: fi rst aid, urgent care, in-person or on-call responder for athletic events, and distribution of medications to students. Located on the 2nd floor of Forrester Hall, the infirmary at RSD is a bright, clean, and well-equipped elevator-accessible facility.

Student Study Team assists students at RSD who may experience a wide range of challenges and diffi culties. The team of school staff meets often to discuss students’ specific issues and suggest appropriate interventions. They track a child’s progress, keep his or her parents informed, and evaluate to determine if the interventions are working.

Learning Disabilities Task Force at RSD includes: a psychologist, an educational evaluator, academic/school director(s), an audiologist, and an occupational therapist. With information gathered from a student’s evaluations, parents, teachers or other school staff , the task force formulates strategies to aid students’ success.

Counseling Services at RSD offer students one-on-one guidance and “Skills-Streaming” within their classroom. In Skills-Streaming, a team of counselors visit a classroom, where they lead learning activities to develop social skills or to remedy any specific behavioral problems.

Mental Health Team of RSD professionals includes: a psychologist, counselor, behavior management specialist, nurse, school director, and a consulting psychiatrist. They meet regularly to discuss students who may have emotional issues or behavioral problems. The team supports students and family members with intervention services for as long as necessary.

Behavioral Intervention is a remedial plan, compliant with New York State requirements, to assist students when their behavior interferes with the learning process. The school’s behavior management specialist and school psychologist work with other school staff to conduct a Functional Behavioral Analysis and to implement a Behavior Intervention Plan.