Stepping Up and Speaking Out
In last month's blog, I reviewed the discussion from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regarding the news tagline that "
Sensory Integration Therapies Lack Evidence". Basically the AAP put up a caution flag about research on SI therapy being "limited and inconclusive." I stated a reminder that we all need to continuously educate our parents, physicians and communities on this ongoing discussion. Well kudos to another of my OT heroes Diana Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA who last month presented a one hour presentation to the Flagstaff, AZ Medical Center entitled
Sensory Processing Challenges Including Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders ( click
here then scroll down to the last calendar entry on June 27
th for a review of her lecture). Diana tells me that she had a crowd of over 35 professionals...mostly pediatricians who received CME's (Continuing Medical Education) for attending. In her presentation she reviewed the distinction between "
OT /
SI: (OT utilizing a sensory integrative approach) or
ASITM ( Ayes Sensory Integration
TM - clinic based intensive intervention with specialized equipment by an OT certified and trained to provide one to one treatment eliciting adaptive responses following 10 key principles of fidelity to intervention) and
sensory-based strategies (such as those which are used in homes, EI and school based programs using sensory input to promote modulation in everyday activities)." She also discussed some sensory friendly/safe ideas for office space when working with children with SPD issues. I know she was well received as one local pediatrician had initially showed interest, then the audience grew to include the class size as above. Please join me in saluting Diana and others in our field who are engaging in these continuing discussions with physicians and other health care professionals on this timely topic. (For more on Diana visit
http://www.ateachabout.com/) . How are you supporting kids with SPD issues in YOUR community?