Evidence-based practice is used to support the interventions
used for the variety of clients seen in this setting. As a clinic that provides
outpatient, home health, and school-based therapy services, the therapists have
to be diligent to stay updated on the newest techniques and changing research
to support each intervention. I have
gained much insight on the use of old and new evidence-based interventions as
I work with therapists who have been practicing for over 30 years and some who
are just finishing their first year. Periodically,
therapists from Pediatric Therapy Works (speech, physical, and/or occupational
therapists) attend continuing education courses or seminars and present an
in-service during staff meeting to educate the other therapists on a particular
area. With the wide variety of diagnosis and ages seen in this setting, I am
constantly asking other therapists and searching research and evidence supporting
specific interventions, both new and old, for my clients. Below is an example of one research article used to support the use of multi-sensory interventions for children with autism.
Dawson, G. & Watling, R. (2000). Interventions to
facilitate auditory, visual, and motor integration in autism: A review of the
evidence. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 30(5), 415-421.