In this episode, Jayson Interviews Dr. Amy Sadek about how every school-based occupational therapist should be using evidence-based practices and how to find the research that guides what they are doing. Dr. Sadek's background in nutrition and occupational therapy led her to earn a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. Dr. Sadek's research focused on linking nutrition with behavioral changes in children with Autism. While completing her research she quickly learned how difficult it can be to be an evidence-based practitioner, as well as, how difficult it can be to conduct research in public schools. Listen in as Dr. Amy Sadek shares just how any school-based OT can take part in evidence-based practices and research opportunities.

Earn Professional Development for listening to this episode here! 

Have a listen if you would like to freshen up on today's learning objectives, which are:

1. Understand the barriers to practicing EBP and conducting further research within Public schools.  

2. Understand the steps to implement evidence-based practices (EBP) in a school setting.

3. Understand the levels of research and the steps to appraising a research article

Links to Show References:

Have a question for Dr. Sadek? You can contact her at [email protected]

"Antioxidants and Autism: Teachers' Perceptions of Behavioral Changes"- This is a link to Dr. Sadek's study in the Advances in Mind-Body Medicines Journal.

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) - Often referenced to in the show as the AJOT, this is one most attributed journals as it relates to occupational therapy. 

Guidelines for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy In California Public Schools - Referred to in the show as the OTPT Guidelines, this document published by the California Department of Education is a useful resource to all School-based OTs, not just those in California. To access it, visit OTSchoolHouse.com/guidelines and click on the state of California. 

ProQuest - ProQuest is a research search engine that is accessible to all National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certificants. Just one more reason why each and every OT and OTA should maintain their NBCOT certification. 

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