Sensory integration: More evidence that OTs have lost control of the narrative
There are quite a few opinion pieces in this blog about the state of sensory integration as a model for occupational therapy - the reader is particularly referred here and here for quick background if needed.
Continued evidence that occupational therapists have lost control of the 'sensory integration' narrative can be found in the October 2010 Scientific American Article by Nancy Shute entitled "Desperation drives parents to dubious autism treatments."
Sensory integration therapy is described in the article as ranging from "wrapping children in blankets or placing them in a hug machine to having them play with scented clay..." They also note in the article that this intervention costs families up to $200 per hour or $6000 per year. Sensory integration is listed in a chart as Temptations: Dubious Therapies.
These kinds of articles always seem to generate responses from people who disagree from them, but before anyone responds I think this is a good opportunity to pause and reflect on why we are finding ourselves in this position. The 'Fidelity' problem has been discussed forever and our field has not come together to find a solution. We still have different 'camps' of people supporting different iterations of what should be included in sensory integration models and the result is ongoing confusion in the public square. We have too much mythology and too little evidence when it comes to our interventions. The public is confused because we have confused them.
What do parents want? Perhaps OTs should listen closely to Jim Laidler who was interviewed in the article: "Obviously, the goal of my family, and most families, is to lead as normal a life as possible. Normal is going out to dinner as a family."
We can use our knowledge of sensory processing to help us understand why children who have autism have difficulties in these environments, and make suggestions to families on how to help mediate those difficulties. We can also use training methods, direct practice, and skill development to help children learn to function in those environments.
Or we can let people continue to think that we are putting blankets on children and letting them play with scented clay, charging them exorbitant prices for this 'expertise.'
What kind of occupational therapy are you promoting?
Continued evidence that occupational therapists have lost control of the 'sensory integration' narrative can be found in the October 2010 Scientific American Article by Nancy Shute entitled "Desperation drives parents to dubious autism treatments."
Sensory integration therapy is described in the article as ranging from "wrapping children in blankets or placing them in a hug machine to having them play with scented clay..." They also note in the article that this intervention costs families up to $200 per hour or $6000 per year. Sensory integration is listed in a chart as Temptations: Dubious Therapies.
These kinds of articles always seem to generate responses from people who disagree from them, but before anyone responds I think this is a good opportunity to pause and reflect on why we are finding ourselves in this position. The 'Fidelity' problem has been discussed forever and our field has not come together to find a solution. We still have different 'camps' of people supporting different iterations of what should be included in sensory integration models and the result is ongoing confusion in the public square. We have too much mythology and too little evidence when it comes to our interventions. The public is confused because we have confused them.
What do parents want? Perhaps OTs should listen closely to Jim Laidler who was interviewed in the article: "Obviously, the goal of my family, and most families, is to lead as normal a life as possible. Normal is going out to dinner as a family."
We can use our knowledge of sensory processing to help us understand why children who have autism have difficulties in these environments, and make suggestions to families on how to help mediate those difficulties. We can also use training methods, direct practice, and skill development to help children learn to function in those environments.
Or we can let people continue to think that we are putting blankets on children and letting them play with scented clay, charging them exorbitant prices for this 'expertise.'
What kind of occupational therapy are you promoting?
