In healthcare, education, and therapy, the phrase “evidence-based practice” is often front and center.
It’s the gold standard—the idea that decisions should be guided by the best available research, professional expertise, and client values.
But there’s a growing movement recognizing that lived experience—the firsthand experiences of individuals navigating challenges, systems, or conditions—is a vital, and often missing, piece of the evidence-based puzzle.
As professionals, we’re trained to rely on data, research, and proven methods.
But when we stop to listen to those who have lived the experience—whether that’s a parent raising a neurodivergent child, a person with sensory processing differences, or a student managing anxiety—we gain insights that no research article can fully capture.
Lived experience transforms evidence-based practice into something deeply human, authentic, and responsive.
What Is Lived Experience?
“Lived experience” refers to the personal knowledge and insight gained through direct experience.
It’s not theoretical, it’s real life.
For example, a child who struggles to sit still in class knows what strategies feel helpful or overwhelming.
A parent managing meltdowns at home develops an intuitive sense of what calms their child.
These insights are not just anecdotes; they’re valuable data points that can shape more effective, compassionate interventions.
In the world of occupational therapy, we often talk about client-centered care.
That concept relies heavily on lived experience.
When we take the time to understand how a person experiences their day-to-day life, their sensory world, and their environment, we gain the information we need to make therapy meaningful and functional.
Lived Experience as a Form of Evidence
Traditional evidence-based practice is often described as a three-part model:
- Best available research
- Clinical expertise
- Client preferences and values
Lived experience falls squarely within the third category, but it also enhances the first two.
When researchers include people with lived experience in study design, data interpretation, or program evaluation, the resulting evidence becomes more applicable to real-world situations.
In recent years, many disciplines have begun valuing co-production and participatory research, where professionals and those with lived experience collaborate as equal partners.
This approach acknowledges that personal experience provides a kind of expertise that can’t be replicated in a lab or measured by a standardized test.
The Power of Listening
Listening to lived experience changes how we practice.
It helps us move from a “fix-it” mindset to a “support-and-understand” mindset.
For example, when a therapist listens to a child describe how loud noises feel in their body, it shifts the focus from compliance (“sit still, focus”) to connection (“how can we make this space feel safer for you?”).
Lived experience also helps professionals check their assumptions.
A teacher might believe that sensory tools are distractions until a student shares how a fidget helps them focus during lessons.
A parent might feel frustrated by slow progress until they understand that their child’s pace is actually an achievement worth celebrating.
Bridging Lived Experience and Research
Bringing lived experience into evidence-based practice doesn’t mean abandoning research—it means expanding what we consider “evidence.”
Quantitative data tells us what happens.
Lived experience tells us why and how.
When combined, they form a complete picture that leads to better outcomes.
Occupational therapists, educators, and clinicians can integrate lived experience by:
- Including client and family input in goal setting and intervention planning
- Using narrative-based assessments that capture the person’s story
- Consulting with peer mentors or advocates who have firsthand experience
- Participating in communities of practice that value storytelling and reflection
By weaving lived experience into our decision-making, we honor the voices of those most affected by our work.
Why This Matters in Today’s World
In an era of data-driven systems and standardized outcomes, lived experience brings humanity back to the forefront.
It reminds us that behind every statistic is a person with emotions, history, and context.
It challenges professionals to look beyond protocols and reconnect with the essence of care—empathy, understanding, and respect.
When we validate lived experience as part of evidence-based practice, we make services more inclusive and equitable.
We ensure that programs reflect the diversity of real people, not just idealized populations from controlled studies.
The Bottom Line
Lived experience isn’t just a story; it’s evidence.
It informs, enriches, and grounds evidence-based practice in reality.
As practitioners, when we take the time to listen, collaborate, and co-create with those we serve, our interventions become more effective, meaningful, and sustainable.
Call to Action
If you’re a therapist, educator, or parent, take time this week to reflect on the power of lived experience in your work.
Ask questions.
Listen deeply.
Value what people share about their own journeys.
Every story you hear holds wisdom that can strengthen your practice and your connection with others.
Let’s redefine what counts as evidence—because lived experience matters.
Would you like more support with how to incorporate lived experience into your practice? Contact me.
SuperKids Pediatric Consulting Services 