Prompt One for Week 3

1.

Hincha-Ownby, M. (2008, January 7). Sensory Integration and Autism. Retrieved from             http://www.suite101.com/content/sensory-integration-and-autism-a40485

In order to determine whether or not this topic will be valuable to my project, I tested it using four standards: accuracy, currency, objectivity, and authority. I found the article to be very informative about the sensory system and sensory therapy. The article seems to contain accurate information as it provides links to other sites to further explain her message. The article was posted and published in 2008 and therefore, appears to contain current information. She cites the references that she used throughout the article which were books published in 2005 and 2006. This further establishes the currency of the information. As far as objectivity are concerned, the picture in the article is relevant to the topics and the majority of the ads are applicable to the topic and field of research including ads for OT info, equipment to be used with sensory disorders and pediatric therapy options and resources. To determine the credibility of the author, I chose the link that connected her to the article. Ms. Hincha-Ownby is the feature writer for topics on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome; she has two children with varying special needs including Asperger’s Syndrome and autism. She also manages a website dedicated to providing information on autism education. In conclusion, I have decided that this would be a valuable source to my topic because it appears to contain accurate content, current information, and it comes from a reliable source. Although her credibility is questionable and the ads take away from the professionalism of the article, I find that it contains valuable information that relates to occupational therapy and how it helps children with proprioceptive disorders.

2.

Schaaf, R.C., Lane, S.J. (2009, December 14). Neuroscience Foundations of Vestibular,    Proprioceptive, and Tactile Sensory Strategies. Retrieved from     http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7687/is_20091214/ai_n45434823/

I found this article to contain accurate information as well as proper citations from works by other authors. As far as currency is concerned, the article is current as of December 14, 2009; not even a year old yet. They also establish the accuracy of their information by providing readers with more articles about OT practice and intervention methods. Along with that, they have a copyright to the article from the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. However, the objectivity is a bit concerning. Advertisements throughout the article are for anything from iPhones to Hondas to the yellowpages. However, the article does appear on the CBS interactive business network under a section about the health care industry, which reaffirms my trust in the site somewhat. Both authors of this article are authors of “the neuroscience-related question” and were asked to develop a review of the proprioceptive system and this article is their response. Dr. Schaaf has received a research grant to study and help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder while Dr. Lane is a professor and Occupational Therapy Assistant Dean at the School of Allied Health Professions at the Virginia Commonwealth University. Therefore, I believe that the information that these women provide in this paper as well as their other works will be helpful to me in my project.