Representative Assembly Passes SSSIS Name Change
After 3 years of ball tossing, the 2008 RA ahas just pproved a name change that will add EI to the name of the School System Special Interest Section.
It happend a few minutes ago, after some discussion, and against the recommendation of the task group that discussed the issue yesterday afternoon.
The new name of the SIS will be the the School System and EI Special Interest Section, nomenclature meant to clarify that practitioners who treat children from birth thorugh age 3 and a half (entering pre-school) are qualified and actively doing so in the OT profession. It will also give these practitioners a definie "home" among the special interest sections.
On a standing vote, the assembly ended more than 2 years of discussion over the issue, precipitated by the fact that there are distinct differences between the two practice settings; most EI practitioners treat in the child's home. They may or may not use sensory integration as their primary approach to treatment, and they also have to educate parents in handling their young children.
The task group had recommended defeat of Motion One, brought by SIS chair Barbara Chandler, in line with a planned upgrading of the name that was part of a strategic planning process of the section. It has moved through the RA three times, each time running into questions as to whether this was the "brst" SIS to represent EI practitioners. Chandler noted that EI operates under Part C of IDEA, even though therapists are paid by several different entities. EI was iidentified as being included whent the school system section was organized a number of years ago.
The task group had made no substitute motion, but outlined several rationales for allowing EI practitioners to work toward their own group by using the newly-created EI listserv, supported by the old SSSIS, the Sensory Integration Special Interest Section (SISIS) and the Developmental Disabilities Special Intereset Section (DDSIS). The process would have taken several years
ASAP Rep. Rebecca Argabrite-Grove reminded the assembly, "This is the third time this has come before us We just keep dragging our feet on it. I don't feel that it leaves out people practicing in the NICU."
Nancy Scott (MN) agreed. "I see this as a way of attracting more therapists to AOTA," she said. The new SSEISIS will now begin to look for more resources for those in EI practice.