New Clinical Services Staff Tout Team Collaboration Before and During COVID-19

The League School recently welcomed four new clinical services staff to the team. We met with them before the coronavirus crisis led to the day school’s closure, and they all expressed enthusiasm about the school’s team-based approach to helping students develop to their fullest potential. That sentiment has only strengthened since the move to remote learning.

“I have never been so impressed with our League School community as I have been over the last few months,” said Lyndsay Brown, an Occupational Therapist. “Not only are our staff going above and beyond to support our students through a completely new platform, but parents, families, and caregivers are stepping up to play a new role in their child’s education.”

“We work together as a team to create programs that help students with a particular skill, such as emotional regulation,” said Elizabeth Wilson, a licensed clinician. “In collaboration with the occupational therapists, the team finds strategies for identifying emotions and devising tools to cope with those emotions. After we moved to remote learning due to COVID-19, staff has collaborated to meet the unique needs of students and families. [The school has been] creative and adaptable to support students and maintain a sense of community.”

“I like the League School’s model of interwoven team support where we consult with one another to develop a comprehensive approach to learning,” said Sedgie Najarian, a licensed clinician.  “During this unprecedented time, I am inspired by our students who breathe life into the work that we do and who remind us of the importance of connection during these difficult times.”

Aurora Baraiolo, a speech and language pathology assistant, works with Lyndsey to integrate the speech and occupational skills learned at the day school into the residential program. “[When school is in session,] we make the connection between day and evening by bringing the skills learned during the school day to the residential program,” said Aurora.

“The SCERTS model, which incorporates communication regulation and self-advocacy sets the League School apart from other schools serving students on the autism spectrum,” said Elizabeth. “This approach and the team-based culture attracted me to the school.”

“Our League School families have been incredibly supportive, flexible, and understanding, and I am beyond grateful,” said Lyndsay. “I want to give a giant virtual hug and thank you to our entire community.”

Lyndsay received her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont. She interned at the League School in 2018. Elizabeth received her Master’s in Social Work from Boston College and her undergraduate degree at UMass Amherst. She interned at the Town of Arlington public schools and worked at Walker School in Needham. Sedgie received her Master’s in Social Work from Simmons University and her undergraduate degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She has worked as an Applied Behavioral Analyst at Autism Behavioral Services, in early intervention services for the Arc of the South Shore, and as a social worker at a pediatrician’s office. Aurora recently received her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State University.