Best Practices In Educational Therapy

Best Practices in Educational Therapy provides actionable strategies and solutions for novice and veteran educational therapists. Given the diverse backgrounds of educational therapists and the varieties of specialization and client types, there is no single approach for all therapists and all clients. This book is built on a foundation of individualized intensive intervention, offering generalized principles of application across many contexts. Featuring practices informed by documented experiences of educational therapists as well as research in memory and cognition, attention, speech/language, specific syndromes, and the role of emotion in learning, this well-rounded guide will serve educational therapists at all stages in their career.

The Clinical Practice of Educational Therapy is the first book to provide a comprehensive review of the interdisciplinary profession and practice of educational therapy as it exists today. It describes the scope and practice of educational therapy from its European roots to its growing presence in the United States, and provides case studies to illustrate the work of educational therapists. Key Features: Interdisciplinary Perspective – Other books focus on either educational or therapeutic interventions but rarely discuss the blend and synergy of disciplines that are the hallmark of the profession. Illustrative Cases – The text draws heavily on case studies as a means of understanding the practice of educational therapy, especially the relationship between therapist and client. Expertise – Chapter authors are either experienced educational therapists or allied professionals who have made scholarly contributions to the profession, such as Dorothy Ungerleider, Patricia Waters, Roslyn Arnold, and George McCloskey. In addition to educational therapy students and practitioners, this book is appropriate for those working in related fields including special education, school psychology, school counseling, and social work in educational settings.

This book provides an in-depth look at what a little-known clinician, the educational therapist, does and how they do it. It goes behind the clinician’s door to illustrate the unusual and broad range of interventions – both academic/vocational and social/emotional – that an educational therapist employs. This particular case study involves a young woman named Nora who had a severe but undiagnosed auditory processing disorder. She could not give meaning to the spoken language that came at her too rapidly, leaving her in a constant fog of words that she couldn’t comprehend. This case discloses the problems, their causes, and the emotional toll that had to be considered when developing an effective educational/therapeutic plan for Nora. It vividly illustrates the dynamic exchanges and mutual learning that goes on between client and therapist. Parts I and II illustrate how the psycho-educational interventions that addressed Nora’s academic and non-academic needs were gradually formulated over the first year. Part III provides a series of vignettes from subsequent years that illustrate the ongoing applications of the therapist’s work. Distinguishing Features Explanatory Sidebars – The rationale behind particular techniques and interventions is clarified through a system of explanatory sidebars that inform the reader without distracting from the story. This approach makes the book both an instructional tool well as compelling story. Organic Curriculum – The rationale for and application of an "organic (personalized) curriculum" is explained and applied throughout the book as a model for others to use in working with this population. A Longitudinal Perspective – The initial work with Nora began many years ago, so this book provides a long view of her life and tracks the influences that educational therapy exerted on her development into a fully functioning adult. Cognitive/Emotional Integration – The core of educational therapy – the interdependence of cognitive skills and emotional response – is clearly documented throughout the book. In addition to educational therapy students and practitioners, this book is appropriate for those working in related fields such as special education, school psychology, school counselling, and social work in educational settings.

Assessment in Educational Therapy offers essential grounding, skills, and ethical approaches for understanding and conducting assessments in the context of educational therapy. Six clear, straightforward chapters guide graduate students and trainees of the field to use scores, observation, and hypothesis testing to create strengths-based assessments and intervention strategies that can be delivered orally or in written reports. The book is the first to describe and critique all the standardized assessment instruments that qualified educational therapists can use to measure skills in reading, written expression, mathematics, and processing. Real-world case studies, practical takeaways of key concepts, resources for self-study, reflective questions, and other readers’ tools enliven this comprehensive yet accessible reference.

The majority of music therapy work with children takes place in schools. This book documents the wealth and diversity of work that music therapists are doing in educational settings across the UK. It shows how, in recent years, music therapy has changed and grown as a profession, and it provides an insight into the trends that are emerging in this area in the 21st century. Collating the experiences of a range of music therapists from both mainstream and special education backgrounds, Music Therapy in Schools explains the procedures, challenges and benefits of using music therapy in an educational context. These music therapists have worked with children of all ages and abilities from pre-school toddlers in nursery schools to teenagers preparing for further education, and address specific issues and disabilities including working with children with emotional and behavioural problems, and autistic spectrum disorders. This book will be essential reading for music therapists, music therapy students and educational professionals.

Currently in the United States, 20% of children ages 6 years or younger live in poverty. Poor children have fewer opportunities than their peers to resources that are important for child development. At the same time, the prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased to 1 in every 6 children. Early identification of developmental delays is critical, and more than half of all American parents do not know the warning signs. Occupational therapy professionals in early intervention and preschool practice can provide the necessary services to support children's health in early childhood. This Practice Guideline explains the occupational therapy process for young children--and their families, caregivers, and teachers--which includes evaluation, intervention, and outcomes planning to enhance a child's occupational performance, adaptation, health and wellness, community participation, role competence, and self-advocacy. Topics include social-emotional development; feeding, eating, and swallowing; cognitive and motor development; service delivery; autism; obesity, cerebral palsy; and parent training. This work can help occupational therapy practitioners, as well as those who manage, reimburse, or set policy regarding occupational therapy services, understand the contribution of occupational therapy in evaluating and serving young children. This guideline can also serve as a resource for parents, school administrators, educators, and other early childhood staff.

As the occupational therapy profession concerns itself with how people occupy their time during daily life, it is critical for occupational therapists who serve children to understand how to apply their knowledge and skills within the complex and varied environments of the community. A core text for over 10 years, Best Practice Occupational Therapy for Children and Families in Community Settings, Second Edition by Dr. Winnie Dunn provides a clear insight into how to conceive, design, implement, and evaluate services that reflect core principles. Best Practice Occupational Therapy for Children and Families in Community Settings, Second Edition provides the most current information about providing services within community settings, with material addressing early intervention, early childhood, school-age services, and transitions. The context of this text is rooted in best practice principles from interdisciplinary literature and illustrates how occupational therapy professionals implement those principles in their everyday practices. New Features of the Second Edition: Updated assessments, evidence, and appendices Case studies that illustrate the implementation of ideas in a practice situation Worksheets that outline each step in the occupational therapy process from what to include to how to provide rationale for team members, families, and consumers Tables and inserts that summarize key points Information regarding state and federal legislation to guide the occupational therapists in how to negotiate for best practice services within parameters of regulations Integrated throughout the text is the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Occupational Therapy Practice Framework Additional on-line resources that are available with new book purchases Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom. Best Practice Occupational Therapy for Children and Families in Community Settings, Second Edition contains many suggestions about how to practice the skills needed for evidence-based practice, making this the perfect resource for occupational therapy students, faculty, and practitioners who serve children and families.

Best Practices in Educational Therapy provides actionable strategies and solutions for novice and veteran educational therapists. Given the diverse backgrounds of educational therapists and the varieties of specialization and client types, there is no single approach for all therapists and all clients. This book is built on a foundation of individualized intensive intervention, offering generalized principles of application across many contexts. Featuring practices informed by documented experiences of educational therapists as well as research in memory and cognition, attention, speech/language, specific syndromes, and the role of emotion in learning, this well-rounded guide will serve educational therapists at all stages in their career.

Best Practice is a way of thinking about problems in imaginative ways and applying knowledge creatively to solve performance problems. Providing services in community based settings is vital to the best application of occupational therapy principles and beliefs. Best Practice Occupational Therapy: In Community Service with Children and Families applies theoretical and evidence based knowledge to best practice with emphasis on children and families in community settings. It emphasizes best practice, and incorporates clinical reasoning and practice models into the material. Students are provided with methods for working through the problem solving processes as they learn the material. The text introduces core principles and demonstrates how, along with OT knowledge, they can be applied to the best interests of children and families. Included throughout the book are worksheets, space for writing notes, and 10 detailed case studies illustrating the core principles and knowledge application in practice.