School & Educational Support

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School and Educational Support

A child’s experience at school has a profound impact on many levels – academic, social and self-perception. At Amy Zier & Associates, we understand that supporting success in the classroom requires a two-prong approach that focuses specialized resources on both the student and the educator for the best possible outcomes.

Our practice extends beyond our clinics and into the schools to provide services, which range from one-to-one consultations with children to teacher training, and efforts that bring together educators, students, parents and other providers.

To discuss a specific situation at your school or to learn more about resources we provide to other school, please contact us.

NEW! Study Partners

BACK TO SCHOOL & REMOTE LEARNING SUPPORT

As back to school versus remote learning decisions are being changed day by day, AZ+A introduces Study Partners to support students and families, regardless of where they learn. Keep up on the changing dynamic of school expectations and readiness. LEARN MORE

Virtual options and in-person options available – flexible plans and times will be determined after an initial consultation. Contact us today or learn more now!

Handwriting Support

Write Start Program

A critical skill for participation in school and for communication throughout a lifetime, the write start group provides specialized therapy to support the motor, perceptual and sequential building blocks necessary for writing. It begins with the development of a unique treatment plan for each child, based on specific areas of weakness that may be impacting the ability to write with ease.

In addition, consultation with the child’s teacher is also provided if necessary to ensure these specific techniques are supported in the classroom to maximize your child’s capacities. For handwriting groups currently being offered, please check our group therapy page.

The Write Group Program

To improve handwriting performance and self-confidence in the classroom, The Write Group handwriting program is designed to support children at risk for handwriting challenges. Through handwriting practice, bodywork, activities for hand dexterity, strengthening ocular motor skills and visual spatial activities, an Amy Zier & Associates occupational therapist will help the child overcome barriers that hinder development of age-appropriate handwriting skills. A collaborative process between therapist, teacher and students, and parents, the program will offer recommendations for strategies, adaptations and equipment for subsequent implementation in the classroom.

01. How it Works

Teachers are asked to identify 3 kindergarten students with handwriting difficulties that may include:

Difficulty forming letters
Illegible writing
Improper sizing of letters
Improper spacing between letters, words and the overall page
Letter reversals
Immature pencil grip
Slow writing speed
Poor endurance when writing

Participating students are screened to ensure program eligibility.

02. Schedule

The group will meet twice weekly for 45 minutes during the school day. The 8-week program will also include pre-and post-assessments to determine program effectiveness.

03. Cost

This program is being offered to schools in two different ways:

The School Sponsored Plan focuses on the teachers’ training and development as well as specific work with the students. Teachers will receive specific training relating to screening students and implementing The Write Group program strategies to help their individual students.

The Parent Sponsored Plan is focused on the individual needs of the children in the group. Teachers and parents will be educated about strategies and home programs to use with the student. However, less time will be spent with specific teacher training.

To include your child or students from your class in The Write Group program, please contact us.

Handwriting Without Tears

Focus on writing readiness, printing and cursive with multisensory lessons that address all learning styles – visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic. Unique materials and appealing workbooks eliminate problems with letter formation, reversals, legibility, sentence spacing and cursive connections. This approach is incorporated into our ‘Handwriting Intensives’ and weekly individual treatment sessions and home programs.

Reading Enrichment

For the Love of Reading and Academic Success!

Is it a struggle to get your child to read?
Do you find that reading homework takes longer than it needs to?

Reading can be therapeutic as well as boost academic success at all ages!

Foster a love for reading with children of all ages and developmental levels with AZ+A’s Reading Enrichment Program. Your child is guided through reading levels based on their individual abilities. AZ+A’s Reading Program for Kids is designed to help each child excel to their highest level and complement the curriculum of their individual classrooms, grade level and developmental differences.