As occupational therapists we need to get more of our knowledge formally out into the world. I just did a Google search for “sensory threshold” and was appalled at the sites that came up on top – nothing related to OT. Family.com was the second – a blog entry by a parent explaining the term. I appreciate families (I am a parent) yet I hope for resources that are reliable to have the most access to the general population.
Posted by: otstoryteller | January 8, 2008
Evidence in the world at large
Posted in occupational therapy
I am a practicing OT and currently working on my PhD in special education in early childhood. I like that this degree will be in another area and that I can continue to see the role OT plays in other realms.
What I am finding in doing literature reviews is the variance in terms, which leads to why you can’t find much information using “our” OT terminology. Something as simple as “handwriting” requires you to look under “graphomotor” or “orthograpic.” In the move towards universal terminology, it is becoming much more difficult to locate information related to sensory. I am finding many articles related to SPD in journals related to neurology and the brain. I actually like this, though it depends on who is putting out the research, as it broadens our radar for exposure. As OTs, we just have to keep abreast of research and actually CONTRIBUTE rather than CRITICIZE those efforts put forth by therapists seeking to add to the literature base.
By: Dee on February 9, 2008
at 12:54 pm
I fully agree with you. Also, about 30 years ago, Nedra Gillette recommended that OTs need to get their advanced degrees in other areas to enhance our profession. Her suggestions at that time included anthropology, and neurology/neuroscience.
I believe we need to get our professional initials out in regular publications (Parents; Exceptional Parent; Beautiful Homes and Gardens…) as well as in the professional literature just to raise awareness that we exist and have a lot to offer in many areas.
By: otstoryteller on February 9, 2008
at 3:15 pm