Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

42Project titleContributorsSummaryMethodResultsImplicationsStatusSystematic review of strategies used by therapists to work effectively with teachersand aides to implement programs which address client goalsDebashish Das, Dr Karen Grimmer, Saravana Kumar, Sonja Keller (all from University ofSouth Australia)Novita Reference Group: Bronwyn Timko, Dr Parimala Raghavendra, Sonya Murchland,Terry Lyons, Catherine Olsson, Judy SprodNovita staff work in kindergartens and schools with educational staff to achieve client goalsand enhance participation of children in class environments. Therapists find it challenging toeffectively achieve client goals when the main intervention input is via support staff from otherorganisations. As there are no standard approaches or best practice guidelines, this studyaimed to undertake a systematic review to identify evidence for strategies in use or differentcollaborative approaches.The review presents a systematic analysis of current literature on strategies used bytherapists to work effectively with teachers and aides to implement programs which addressclient goals. For this review, the term ‘client’ reflects children with physical and/or multipledisabilities.The University of South Australia’s Centre for Allied Health Evidence was contracted toundertake a systematic review that considered the evidence for effective training methodsfor therapists and education staff to work together to support children with disabilities in theclassroom. The Novita Reference group worked with CAHE staff in refining the question,identifying the key databases and providing regular input into the appropriateness of theinformation retrieved. Two independent systematic reviews of the literature were undertakenby two reviewers. The first review was undertaken during the winter of 2004 and the secondreview was undertaken in autumn of 2005.The majority of the literature was observational, descriptive and peer/expert opinion. Thelack of higher research designs (such as randomised controlled trials) might reflect theresearch question the review sought answers for. Additionally, while collaboration betweenprofessionals is not new, the recognition for practices to be based on evidence andeffectiveness is. Some of the findings were:1. Irrespective of the child’s disability, current evidence purports the need for collaborativestrategies between stakeholders (therapists, teachers, para-professionals and parents).2. The collaboration framework should be underpinned by regular meetings, setting up workgoals/plans and providing adequate training and support to non-health professionals.This can be successfully undertaken by coaching, observing and providing feedback.Ongoing consultation with fellow health professionals, teachers, para-professionals andimportantly parents also need to be incorporated.3. Literature evidence indicates that it is unlikely that any one service model will meet thecomplex and interacting requirements of all children.It was recommended that Novita develop and pilot a draft model of collaborative approachesbased on these findings. Based on the literature reviewed, there were core features whichwere considered by all stakeholders as acceptable and meeting the requirements of childrenwith disabilities.Novita has an opportunity to work with education sectors to develop a South Australianmodel of collaboration between teachers, aides and therapists.Completed