JoAnn Telesh thinks the term “wrap around” is a great way to describe the interconnection of therapies provided at The Forum School. As the Water Safety Instructor and Licensed Professional Counselor, she provides therapy and skill- building in the pool and out.

“The basis for success is building good rapport and a trusting relationship with my students,” said JoAnn. “In the pool this trust can be applied to help students realize they can float, reducing fear and anxiety and paving the way for advanced skills.” During counseling periods, she teaches skills like positive self-talk and breathing techniques to help students make better choices and improve behavioral controls.

JoAnn’s work complements the work of Katherine Kandravy, LCSW, the school social worker. Katherine works with students individually and in small social groups, teaching conversation skills, social problem-solving skills, and coping skills.

“Helping students develop these skills can make school and life at home a more positive experience,” she added.

Therapies here do not happen in isolation. They wrap around each student offering many different ways for them to access learning. Wrap around services leverage areas of strength, and strengthen areas of weakness.
– Brian Detlefsen, school principal

Trish Grego is the Art Teacher and a Board Certified Art Therapist. She uses art to help students problem-solve, manage feelings, build self-esteem and express themselves, while also learning art concepts and art history.

“The art process uses visual and tactile materials to help the students communicate, explore the environment, soothe frustration, and complete goals through a process of discovery,” she said.

Adapted Physical Education targets the specific needs of each student while working in a group setting. The focus is on building individual skills with the goal of peer and/or group play. “Building on the skills will help the students participate in leisure activities in the home or community,” said Michele Campbell. “As a student becomes more confident in their physical abilities, they are more willing to try new activities in a variety of settings.”

As a music teacher and a music therapist, Helen Mary Patrosio, MT-BC knows that music-making enables students to express feelings and improve self-esteem.

Either with specific directions or through improvisation, students sing, move, and play instruments as groups, duets and solos. While they are learning music skills, they are also learning social skills, motor skills, speech and listening skills; they learn direction-following, decision-making, and become more independent.

“These skills work in direct harmony with all other Forum services, and give the students the ability to expand leisure skills outside of school,” she said.

“Therapies here do not happen in isolation. They wrap around each student offering many different ways for them to access learning. Wrap around services leverage areas of strength, and strengthen areas of weakness,” said Brian Detlefsen, school principal.

“Everything is integrated and connected so it becomes meaningful for the child.”