Novita Research Report January 1999 - Novita Children's Services

Systematic review of strategies used by therapists to work effectively
with teachers and aides to implement programs which address client goals
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Karen Grimmer 1
Director
Debashish Das 1
Project Officer
Saravana Kumar 1
Project Officer
Novita
Reference Group
Bronwyn Timko
Regional Senior
Speech Pathologist
Terry Lyons
Chief Occupational
Therapist
Catherine Olsson
Chief Speech
Pathologist
Parimala
Raghavendra
Manager,
Clinical Research
Judy Sprod
Chief Physiotherapist
1
Centre for
Allied Health Evidence
Objective
Novita therapy staff work in kindergartens and schools with educational staff to achieve client goals, and enhance
participation of children into their class environments. It has been recognised that therapists often struggle with
how to effectively achieve client and family goals when the main intervention input is via support staff from other
organisations. As there are no standard approaches or best practice guidelines, this study aimed to undertake a
systematic review to identify evidence for strategies in use or different collaborative approaches.
Method
The Centre for Allied Health Evidence (CAHE) was contracted to undertake a systematic review that considered
the evidence for effective training methods for therapists and education staff to work together with the purpose of
supporting children with disabilities in the classroom. The Novita Reference group has been working with CAHE
staff in refining the question, identifying the key databases and providing regular input into the appropriateness of
the information retrieved.
The parameters of the study were:
• Population – Education staff (teachers/assistants/aides/para-professional);
• Intervention – Strategies/methods that therapists (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech
pathologists, psychologists) use in training and working with education staff (modelling, written information,
verbal feedback, etc.);
• Comparison – Effectiveness of two different strategies; and
• Outcome – Before and after measures indicating positive change, maintenance of change in behaviour,
attitude, etc.
Results
A synthesised report will be provided at the conclusion of the study.
Implications
The review may provide evidence to strategies already being used or may suggest different approaches in
collaborating with education staff.
Project commenced in 2004
Novita Children’s Services Incorporated • Research Report January 1999 – June 2004