An Evidence-Based Guide to Combining Interventions with Sensory Integration in Pediatric Practice

This book offers practical ideas on the combination of sensory integration theory principles with other evidence-based approaches in the evaluation and treatment of multifaceted issues in children with disabilities.

Using the ICF Model, a Clinical Reasoning Model, and featuring numerous case studies, the opening chapters focus on the evidence for combining intervention approaches with diagnoses most often encountered in clinical practice. The latter half of the book covers the delivery of services using blended intervention approaches in different settings, such as the school, the hospital, and in nature. Featured are existing community programs illustrating the combination of approaches in practice. Appendices include reproducible resources, a guide to assessments, and approaches.

The text will guide occupational therapists and other health professionals working with children and adolescents across a variety of settings in using clinical reasoning skills in a systematic manner that will lead to better interventions.

• The first section focuses on combining intervention approaches with diagnoses most often encountered in clinical practice (Developmental Coordination Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Disabilities, Regulatory Disorders and Mental Health Concerns).
• The second section covers the research evidence supporting the delivery of services using blended intervention approaches in different settings, the school, the hospital and the community

This book is unique in that it acknowledges the complexity of paediatric practice but then provides the reader with clearly articulated models to organise the information about the most encountered diagnoses in practice. The editors of this book have reviewed many paediatric occupational therapy books and presented the material nationally and internationally. They have received excellent reviews in terms of what is considered a unique approach to assessment and intervention

Table of Contents

Part 1: Foundations for Clinical Reasoning

1. The Pieces of the Whole
2. Reasoning in Action Model (RAM): A Data-Based Model of Clinical Reasoning
3. Sensory Processing: A Conceptual Model

Part 2: Pediatric Populations

4. Combining Approaches: Autism Spectrum Disorders
5. Combining Approaches: Cerebral Palsy
6. Combining Approaches: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and Other Motor Challenges
7. Combining Approaches: Children Under 3 Years

Part 3: Contexts & Community Programs

8. Incorporating Nature in the Context of Sensory Integration Treatment
9. School-Based Practice: Supporting Participation and Self-Determination
10. Incorporating Sensory Integration Approaches in Pediatric Mental Health
11. Provision of Occupational Therapy in the Pediatric Hospital Setting
12. Mealtime Participation: Feeding and Eating Issues in Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
13. The Context of Play
14. The STAR Frame of Reference: Sensory Integration/Processing, Regulation, and Relationship
15. Community Programs
• Program 1: Steppin’ Up Transition Group Program for High School Students with Developmental Disabilities in High-Risk Areas - Bonnie Nakasuji
• Program 2: Therapy West Integrated Specialized Play Program (TWISPP) - Sofia Magana, Janet Gunter
• Program 3: The Moving to Make Friends © Program (MTMF) - Karrie Kingsley
• Program 4: The Kid Power Program: A Clinical Program to Enhance Spontaneous Bimanual Use and Achieve Functional Goals - Angelica Barraza, Takako Shiratori　
• Program 5: Blue Bird Day Program - Alexa Greif, Laura Mraz, Leah Dunleavy, Sarah Hirschman, Erin Harvey
16. Appendices
• Appendix A: Assessments
• Appendix B: Approaches
• Appendix C: Reproducible Resources

"An exciting innovative new addition to the occupational therapy sensory integration literature. Theoretically sound practical case-based application to intervention. A must for the practicing pediatric occupational therapist."
- Sharon A. Cermak, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA professor of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California

"This book will appeal to pediatric therapists seeking to enhance their clinical reasoning for the treatment of children with complex sensory conditions including neuromotor that restrict participation and diminish quality of life. The reader is taken on a journey that begins with an inviting overview of the holistic and integrated intent of the book and proceeds to a clearly articulated model of clinical reasoning. Throughout the journey, the model is applied to a broad spectrum of sensorimotor diagnoses establishing the importance of using a holistic and integrated approach to treatment planning and intervention. The journey culminates with a presentation of community-based programs designed to enhance participation and improve quality of life for children who navigate these multifaceted sensory and neuromotor challenges daily."
- Gay L. Girolami, PT, PhD, c/NDT, clinical professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC)

"I love that this book describes clear pathways for providing meaningful, evidence-based practice, without over-simplifying the complexity and importance of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy. As a clinical director, it is a useful resource for mentoring employees who are newly entering practice or changing their area of practice."
- Cheryl L Ecker, MA, OTR/L, BCP, SWC clinical director, Therapy in Action; co-author, Sensory Processing Measure, Sensory Processing Measure-Preschool, and Sensory Processing Measure-2, SPM-2 Quick Tips Infant-Toddler (User Guide)

"For ten years I have been waiting for this new book - exactly since the moment I learned that its predecessor wouldn’t be updated. I loved the book about combining SI with NDT that helped me as a young clinician develop my skills in combining SI with strategies from other approaches. The new book still maintains the focus on combining approaches and practical relevance. It is a treasure chest drawing on the expertise of a plethora of master clinicians and scholars, mainly from the field of Occupational Therapy. Its richness addresses the fact that we see much more complex cases in our clinics today. A single approach usually cannot fulfill these children’s and families’ needs. I highly recommend this book to the OT and other health professionals who have specialized in one method and are interested in educating themselves about other approaches. This book provides clinicians with guidance on how to combine approaches with inspiration for providing the best individualized interventions we can. As I have learned from my friend and mentor, Erna, and her mantra for therapists, ‘Be clear in your head and eclectic with your hands,’ which is a principle reflected in this book about combining intervention approaches. It allows us to provide the best therapy for each individual child."
- Elisabeth Soechting, MA, OTR,owner of SpielStudio and SI-SeminarInstitut; president of Austrian SI Organization GSIÖ e.V.

"Absolutely recommended. This is a clear and concise textbook that responds to what, why, and when to apply a combination of approaches used by occupational therapists and other health professionals in childhood. Based on evidence and clinical reasoning this work guides you to achieve the best intervention results."
- Sara Jorquera, PhD, TO director Centro de Atención Temprana y Desarrollo Infantil AYTONA, Madrid, Spain

"This book meets the needs of students and professionals updating knowledge for evidence based clinical practice in Sensory Integration and other intervention models used with children with different pathologies. This book describes the importance of context and how to facilitate the creation of transformative environments so that sensations are integrated at different levels, from intrinsic motivation to the therapist's behaviors while facilitating active participation in occupations. Children teach us a different world; this book teaches us to improve that world."
- Marcos Chiang, OT, máster en Integración de Personas con Discapacidad, director, Crecimiento y Desarrollo, adjunct professor Universidad Autónoma de Chile y Universidad Santo Tomás.