Our Therapy Case Managers ensure communication and collaboration across your child’s team of teachers and therapists. Our Therapy Case Managers are comprised of Social Workers and Special Education Teachers, which provide them a strong foundation of case management, individualized special education, and family and team collaboration to provide holistic support to students. They create classroom-simulated environments that aid children in processing the sensory and social emotional demands of peer environments. 

Merlin Day Academy provides special education instruction tailored to the individual needs of each child as they engage in literacy, math, science, social studies, and art curriculum. Families may privately enroll their children into Merlin Day Academy as a special education private school, or they can be privately placed by their home school district under the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Merlin Day Academy serves students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the following disability categories: Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Speech/Language Delay, Other Health Impairment, Emotional Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder. The individualized support and learning opportunities we offer are key aspects that remain at the forefront of how Merlin Day Academy impacts students. We meet the diverse and sometimes complex needs of students through our supportive services, academic curriculum, and lesson plans implemented by all service providers in accordance with each student’s IEP. 

Merlin Day Academy’s Social Workers are Licensed and trained to help our children with their emotional and social needs and to support them in their learning. The Merlin Approach to Learning© includes a daily Social Work Rotation that pulls from Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula such as Zones of Regulation. This effective and therapeutic approach helps children struggling with social skills by encouraging and teaching them how to consider the thoughts and feelings of others and to be aware of their own actions and behaviors in social situations. Learning and understanding how to engage socially with peers helps to support their overall growth in self-esteem and self-advocacy. Although beneficial to all children, this method is especially helpful to those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by building confidence and promoting positive social interactions. Our Social Workers utilize Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the Intentional Relationship Model in their work with Merlin Day Academy students. 

Eyas Landing’s team of Occupational Therapists are experts in understanding the influence of the person, environment, & occupation and work with students and families to promote sensory integration, motor skills, and social interactions that support independence in everyday activities and meaningful participation in life. Our daily Occupational Therapy rotations allow children to participate in sensory regulation activities and build foundations for fine motor and sensory motor learning. Some evidenced-based techniques utilized by our therapists include DIR/Floortime, Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, and Sensory Integration.

While many Merlin Day Academy students may not have previously had Physical Therapy, we believe it is an essential support to help children build strength so their bodies and minds can stay alert in the classroom. Students participate in strengthening and endurance-building in theme-based gross motor activities. The Eyas Landing Physical Therapy team is skilled in encouraging and motivating the child to participate in the appropriate activities to target their needs. Some evidenced-based techniques utilized by our therapists include Neuro-Developmental Treatment (Bobath), kinesiotaping, neuro-muscular re-education, orthotics assessment and management, and video gait analysis. 

Behavior Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a common intervention used for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and it can also be used to help with any behaviors impeding learning in school, home, or within the community regardless of diagnosis. Eyas Landing’s Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians provide therapeutic support to our special education classrooms and 1:1 behavior therapy services for students as needed. 

Eyas Landing’s Registered Behavior Technicians work with our Board Certified Behavior Analysts to implement behavior plans, provide support in Merlin Day Academy classrooms, and offer 1:1 behavior therapy services for students as needed. 

Eyas Landing’s Speech Therapy and Language Therapy builds language skills with a focus on foundational literacy skills needed for communication, reading and writing skills. Our Speech-Language Pathologists are well-practiced in language facilitation strategies, theories of language development, oral-motor development, and progression of speech sounds. They incorporate these strategies into fun and functional activities to ensure each child is generalizing their newly developed skills across multiple environments. When necessary, Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems can be introduced to facilitate communication, including the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or speech-generating devices. If a child’s food intake is a concern, our therapists utilize the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to explore the look, smell, and taste of a variety of different foods to promote acceptance. 

Eyas Landing provides Neuropsychological testing and assessment for Merlin Day Academy students and Chicago area families. The testing team at Eyas Landing aims to help our children and families better understand themselves. By providing comprehensive assessments, we outline not only diagnoses but strengths, needs, and recommendations for supports. Neuropsychological Testing includes an introductory Intake Meeting, an In-Person Evaluation with standard assessments, and a final Feedback Session to review the results with your Neuropsychologist. Many individuals come to testing seeking information about what can help themselves or their children at work, school, or other settings. Others have a known medical diagnosis and want to explore their developing skills and needs. Eyas Landing’s testing team can provide recommendations for accommodations that can support Merlin Day Academy students in their daily lives and are ready to help advocate for these supports.