HOT TOPIC: Pivoting Practice: Reframing OT and ABA Collaboration in Pediatric Autism Care
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Course Description
As an occupational therapist embedded in an interdisciplinary autism center, this presenter navigates the complexities of practicing as the sole non-ABA provider while supporting over 30 clients aged 2–11. This experience highlights both the challenges and opportunities of integrating occupational therapy perspectives into a behaviorally-focused framework.
Attendees will examine common misconceptions surrounding ABA and gain a foundational understanding of its principles, as well as current literature on interdisciplinary collaboration between occupational therapy and ABA. The session will emphasize the importance of moving beyond polarized narratives toward a more nuanced, client-centered approach that values the unique contributions of each discipline.
Through real-world examples and collaborative insights from both an occupational therapist and a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA), this presentation will illustrate how intentional relationship-building, shared clinical reasoning, and systems-level advocacy can enhance outcomes for autistic children and their families. Strategies for navigating ethical tensions, fostering mutual respect, and influencing program development within interdisciplinary teams will be discussed. Aligned with the conference theme of “pivot points,” this session invites practitioners to reconsider rigid professional boundaries and explore innovative, collaborative models of care that advance occupational therapy practice and improve access to meaningful, comprehensive services.
Speakers
Nathan Grizenko, OTD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist at Bierman Autism Centers in Columbus, Ohio, where he conducts evaluations and individualized interventions for autistic clients and collaborates with behavioral analysts and technicians to optimize outcomes and skill generalization. His practice is grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based care, and a commitment to occupational justice. He holds a Doctor of Occupational Therapy with a specialization in geriatrics from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Ohio Northern University.
Nathan is an emerging systems leader whose experience spans clinical practice, program management, and advocacy. He previously served as Mobility Occupational Program Manager at the Central Ohio Transit Authority, where he conducted functional assessments for paratransit eligibility, provided travel training, and consulted on transportation accessibility research and policy. He has also worked with the Ohio State University College of Social Work’s Age-Friendly Innovation Center and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging. He is active in professional service, currently serving as Social Media & Public Relations Chair and Newsletter Co-Editor for the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, and previously as Secretary of the Columbus Advisory Committee on Disability Issues. He is certified in MoCA administration, Mental Health First Aid, and Safety Care, and he presented at the 2023 OOTA Conference on promoting community mobility through public transit.
Content Level
Introductory: This level assumes the audience has little or no information regarding the content area.
Practice Areas
Children and Youth; Community-based Practice; Professional Issues