OOTA

Live Webinar ~ Clinical Assessment of the Hand and Wrist to Promote Functional Outcomes
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online
LIVE WEBINAR – August 21, 2025
Presented by: Angela Stephens
1.0 Contact Hours
This clinical education event will provide information to affect the delivery of occupational therapy for individuals with hand and wrist injuries/pathologies. Topics that will be covered during the clinical education event include: Clinical assessment of the hand and wrist; Manual palpation for anatomic structures and special testing; Patient rated outcome measures; Manual interventions including techniques for edema control, soft tissue mobilization, and scar maturation techniques; and Discussion of issues pertinent to the delivery of occupational therapy for hand and upper extremity interventions.
Register Here

Hybrid Webinar ~ Supporting Learning Differences with AI Prompt Design
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Atwell Hall Lecture Hall, 453 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, United States
HYBRID WEBINAR – September 16, 2025
Presented by: Van Lemmon
1.5 Contact Hours
This session explores how prompt engineering, the intentional crafting of prompts for large language models, can support academic participation for diverse learners. Attendees will learn strategies to guide students in engaging AI effectively, enhancing access to curriculum, and fostering independence in academic tasks.
Register Here

IN-PERSON CE Event:Chronic Lateral Elbow Pain
2025-09-23 18:00 - 19:30 | UH Homecare, 4510 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, 44128, United States
IN-PERSON CE Event – September 23, 2025
Presented by: Matt Lott
1.5 Contact Hours
Location: UH Homecare, 4510 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128

This session explores how prompt engineering, the intentional crafting of prompts for large language models, can support academic participation for diverse learners. Attendees will learn strategies to guide students in engaging AI effectively, enhancing access to curriculum, and fostering independence in academic tasks.

Register Here

Ohio Occupational Therapy Association – Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-11-09 09:00 - 15:30 | Online
HYBRID WEBINAR – November 9, 2025
In partnership with Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio
This education will take place in a blended format:

6.5 hours of live instruction on Zoom (9:00 am – 3:30 pm Eastern)
2 hours of online pre-work
manual accessed online

The Mental Health First Aid course equips you to recognize the signs of a mental health or substance use issue, giving you the tools and confidence to take action and help.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid here!

PLEASE NOTE: Anyone who registers after October 13, 2025 will be added to the waitlist for this event.

This course is being provided as an OOTA member benefit, and is available ONLY to members of the association.

Please CLICK HERE to be taken to the members-only registration page.

OOTA Feeding Symposium: Evidence-Based Care From First Bite to Full Belly
2026-01-10 08:00 - 15:30
OOTA Feeding Symposium: Evidence-Based Care From First Bite to Full Belly
Saturday, January 10, 2026
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time
This is a virtual continuing education event – attendees can expect to earn 5.0 contact hours of continuing education through their participation.

Read more in-depth descriptions of our speakers and Sessions – Click Here

Sessions/Schedule:
8:00 – 8:30 – Welcome and Introductions
8:30 – 9:30 – Feeding Evaluations, Bailey Peters, OTD, OTR/L, Danielle Griffin, MS OTR/L, BCP, CKTP, CEIM
9:45 – 10:45 – Comparison of Intervention Settings for Pediatric Feeding Disorder, Danielle Griffin, MS OTR/L, BCP, CKTP, CEIM
11:00 – 12:00 – Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing in Early Childhood: Applications Across Settings, Amanda Somerville, MOT, OTR/L, BCP, CLC
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 – The Role of Occupational Therapy in a Pediatric Transdisciplinary Intensive Feeding Program, Kara Jordan, MOT, OTR/L
2:15 – 3:15 – Myo Myo My! Utilizing a Myofunctional Therapy Lens with Newborn to Precrawling Infants, Michelle Emanuel, OTR/L, IBCLC, NBCR, CST, CIMI, RYT200
3:15 – 3:30 – Q&A + Closing Remarks

Learning Objectives (full Symposium):
By the end of the day, symposium participants will be able to…

Demonstrate novice ability to evaluate, treat, and manage complex feeding clients
Examine the role of OT practitioners across practice settings when working with children who have pediatric feeding disorders (PFD)

Registration Information:

Early Bird Registration (until December 8): $40 members/$65 nonmembers/$10 students
Standard Registration (after December 8): $60 members/$80 nonmembers/$20 students

REGISTER HERE

Read about our speakers and Sessions – Click Here

Thank you Feeding Matters, for your raffle contribution!
All Feeding Symposium registrants who are licensed OTPs will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a “Continuing Education Package” from Feeding Matters.
This Continuing Education Package will entitle the recipient to FREE REGISTRATION at these two AOTA-accredited continuing education events in 2026:

The 2026 International PFD Conference (virtual/live February 25-27 | On Demand March 9-April 30,)
2026 Feeding + Eating Psychology Summit (registration information to be announced in summer 2026)

Please note: Student participants will automatically be entered into a raffle to win a year of OOTA membership (either added to their current membership term, or a new membership starting on January 11, 2026 and going through January 10, 2027.

Ohio Occupational Therapy Association – Mental Health First Aid Training (Jan. 2026)
2026-01-17 09:00 - 15:30
HYBRID WEBINAR – January 17, 2025
In partnership with Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio
This education will take place in a blended format:

6.5 hours of live instruction on Zoom (9:00 am – 3:30 pm Eastern)
2 hours of online pre-work
manual accessed online

The Mental Health First Aid course equips you to recognize the signs of a mental health or substance use issue, giving you the tools and confidence to take action and help.

Please note: This MHFA training is specifically focused on youth mental health, and as such will be of particular interest to OTPs working with youth/younger populations rather than adults.

Registration:

OOTA members $120
Nonmembers $170

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid here!

CLICK HERE to register
Registration is limited to 30 individuals, so register soon to ensure your spot for this training!

Introduction to EFT Tapping for Emotional and Physical Wellness
2026-01-21 19:00 - 20:30
Presented By: Diane Taninecz, BS, OT, Certified Clinical EFT Practitioner
7:00 – 8:30pm | 1.5 Contact Hours
This presentation would include a lecture that outlines basic principles of EFT, research that supports it, conditions that it could benefit, how it is implemented, and a brief demonstration. There would also be time for questions and answers.
Objectives:

Attendees will understand the basic principles of how EFT works
Attendees will learn how Clinic EFT has been shown to improve multiple health markers
Attendees will practice a simple EFT tapping session.

Presenter bio:
Diane received her OT degree from The Ohio State University. She also received her Hand Therapy Certification from the HTCC. Diane specialized in hand therapy for the majority of her OT career although always relied on the holistic approach of Occupational Therapy and emphasized the importance of stress management and emotional regulation within her physical disabilities work.
Diane learned about tapping from an OT colleague. She was familiar with tapping in general but delved deeply into the practice following a severe traumatic leg injury she sustained which required multiple surgeries and many months of physical therapy. Tapping was so helpful for her in her own pain and stress management that she pursued a certification in Clinical EFT – a rigorous training program based on the “evidence-based” method outlined in The EFT Manual validated in research studies that meet the requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 12 Task Force on Empirically Validated Treatments.
Diane currently works as a Holistic Life Coach and Certified Clinical EFT Practitioner under Diane Taninecz, LLC.
Hosted by North Coast District
REGISTER HERE

Supporting Students with Disabilities on Fieldwork
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:30
Presented By: Kathryn L. Sorensen, OTD, OTR/L, ADAC
6:00 – 7:30pm | 1.5 Contact Hours
This course is being taught by a professor and fieldwork coordinator advocating for and educating about the ADA law.
Objectives:

Understand why disability inclusion in healthcare is important
Describe the importance and role of weekly objectives
Use a sites essential job functions to determine what accommodations are reasonable
Apply ethical standards to the accommodation process to ensure students are not being over or under accommodated

Hosted by North Coast District
REGISTER HERE

OTPTAT Board Updates: Ethics, Rule Changes, and OT Compact
2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:00
Presented By: Missy Anthony, Executive Director, OTPTAT Board
7:00 – 8:00pm | 1.0 Contact Hour
This presentation will discuss concepts related to ethics and boundaries, recent rule changes that impact the practice of occupational therapy in Ohio, and how the OT Compact can help Ohio license holders who want to practice across state lines.
Objectives:

To understand and be able to apply concepts related to ethics and boundaries
To identify recent rule changes that impact the practice of occupational therapy in Ohio
To know how the OT Compact can help Ohio license holders who want to practice across state lines

Hosted by Southwest District
REGISTER HERE

Ohio School Funding – The Big Picture and Practical Impact
2026-03-12 18:30 - 20:00
Ohio School Funding – The Big Picture and Practical Impact
Thursday, March 12, 2026
6:30 – 8:00 PM Eastern Time
REGISTER BELOW

Speakers: Madelaine MacQueen from Policy Matters Ohio will be joined by a panel of experts to present content and answer audience questions.

Webinar Description: With ongoing legislative changes and continued debate around property taxes and state funding, understanding Ohio’s school finance system has never been more important. This session connects how state and local school funding affects staffing, supports, and the sustainability of school-based related services.

Hosted by the Ohio School Health Services Association (OSHSA)

Occupational Therapy Outdoors: Connecting, Growing, and Thriving in Nature
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:30
Presented By: Lindsey Stamper, MS, OTR/L, RYT-200 and Kylee Wieging, OT/S
7:00 – 8:30pm | 1.5 Contact Hours
This presentation will discuss the benefits of utilizing nature connection in the therapy process with a primary focus on pediatric populations. Considerations for taking occupational therapy outdoors as well as a variety of resources for occupational therapy practitioners will be provided.
Objectives:

Educate occupational therapy practitioners about the importance of human connection to nature for overall health and wellbeing as well as current impacts on child nature participation today
Inform OTP’s about how nature can be a co-facilitator in the therapy process and considerations for taking therapy outside
Provide OTP’s with resources and practical strategies to begin offering therapy services that support nature connection
Describe the unique experience of an OTD Capstone in a nature-based setting.

Presenter bios:
Lindsey loves helping children reach their potential with compassionate care and family collaboration. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received her master’s degree from San Jose State University. Lindsey has over 20 years of experience as an OT in pediatric settings and established her outdoor practice, Forestways OT, in Columbus, Ohio in 2022. She is a mom of two boys and has seen the benefits of sensory-rich outdoor play for her own children and those she works with. Lindsey has training in the ConTiGo Approach to nature-based therapy, Powerfully You Self-Regulation Program, Therapeutic Listening, Handwriting Without Tears, reflex integration, yoga and mindfulness for children, assistive technology, and numerous sensory techniques. She is a certified provider of TimberNook nature play experiences and an experienced yoga instructor. Additionally, Lindsey has presented for numerous schools, parent groups, the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Lindsey loves to see children grow, connect, and thrive as they experience Forestways Occupational Therapy!
Kylee Wieging is a third-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy Student at OSU. She has a strong interest in pediatric practice and plans to work in a pediatric setting following graduation. Kylee is passionate about nature-based occupational therapy and enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors in her free time. She is currently completing her capstone experience at Forestways OT, where her project focuses on using sensory input in natural environments to support emotional regulation in children.
Hosted by Central District
REGISTER HERE

Antiracist Occupational Therapy – Author meet & greet with Musharrat Ahmed-Landeryou
2026-04-10 17:00 - 18:00
5:00 – 6:00pm | 1.0 Contact Hours

Join OOTA on April 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm to meet the author of our Winter DEIJAB Book Club Selection, Antiracist Occupational Therapy: Unsettling the Status Quo. This virtual meeting will conclude the winter session of the DEIJAB book club. All are welcome to come and participate as we dig into the details surrounding what it means to bring antiracist practice into your delivery of OT services.
Register below!

Book Summary:
Antiracist Occupational Therapy: Unsettling the Status Quo

This book challenges occupational therapy practitioners, students, and educators to rethink the role of race, power, and systemic inequities within the profession. Throughout the chapters, it makes a case that OT is not neutral and has historically been shaped by Eurocentric perspectives that can unintentionally reinforce racial injustice.
The early chapters introduce race as a social construct and explain how racism (structural, institutional, and interpersonal) continues to shape health outcomes and access to meaningful occupations. The book emphasizes that disparities are not due to individual differences but the result of deeply rooted systems of oppression tied to colonialism, slavery, and ongoing power imbalances.
A key focus is on whiteness and privilege, encouraging practitioners to critically reflect on how dominant norms influence education, practice, and knowledge in OT. The authors highlight the importance of occupational justice, showing how racism limits participation in everyday life and calling for a shift toward addressing systemic barriers, not just individual needs.
Through lived experiences and narratives, the book centers the voices of marginalized communities, demonstrating how racism is experienced daily and impacts health, identity, and opportunity. It also calls for the decolonization of occupational therapy, urging the profession to move beyond Western frameworks and embrace diverse, global perspectives.
Later chapters focus on action and accountability. The concept of antiracist allyship is presented as an ongoing, active, and collective process. Practitioners are encouraged to move beyond awareness into meaningful action by:

Building authentic relationships with communities
Continuously educating themselves
Naming and addressing systemic racism
Reflecting critically on their own biases and roles
Taking responsibility within their sphere of influence

The final chapter looks ahead, emphasizing that real change must be embedded in policies, education, leadership, and everyday practice. It highlights global perspectives and reinforces that neutrality is not enough. To create equitable systems, OTPs must actively engage in antiracist work.

Author bio:
Musharrat is a co-founder of the BAMEOTUK Network, a campaign and pressure group of Black Asian and Minoritised Ethnicities (B.A.M.E.) students, staff and educators, to promote equity and justice from the occupational therapy profession, professional body and in education, and the profession in the UK. She has been on local, national, and international events discussing why we need decolonising of occupational therapy and science. Her completed PhD is on the topic of service improvement and occupational therapy and she is a history maker in the profession as sole editor of ‘Antiracist Occupational Therapy: Unsettling the status quo’ a book topic not raised in the profession’s literature.

Hosted by the OOTA DEIJAB Book Club

REGISTRATION: Antiracist Occupational Therapy – Author meet & greet with Musharrat Ahmed-Landeryou

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Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) Putting the Pieces of the Puzzle Together
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:00
Presented By: Nicole Driggs and Ryan Gebauer
6:00 – 7:00pm | 1.0 Contact Hours

Description:

This 60‑minute session offers occupational therapists a rare, firsthand look into autonomic dysreflexia (AD) and bowel management through the lived experience of Ryan, a C3 quadriplegic who navigates these challenges daily. Blending clinical education with real‑world insight, the presentation will explore the physiology of AD, common triggers, and the critical role of proactive bowel programs in preventing medical crises and supporting quality of life. Ryan will share his personal routines, barriers, and adaptations, highlighting how thoughtful bowel care—supported by products such as Enemeez—can reduce complications and increase independence. Attendees will examine evidence‑based strategies, interdisciplinary considerations, and practical approaches OTs can apply across acute, rehab, and long‑term care settings. The session concludes with an open Q&A, offering space for deeper discussion and case‑based problem‑solving. This interactive format equips clinicians with both clinical understanding and patient‑centered perspective to enhance outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Objectives:

Participants will learn methods to ensure Safe, Predictable, and Efficient Bowel Evacuation in SCI Patients.
Participants will learn to identify the early signs of AD and implement bowel protocols that reduce noxious stimuli.
Participants will learn methods to reduce unwanted side effects and time spent in bowel care management to improve patient comfort, dignity, and routine predictability.

Presenter bios:
Based in Ohio, Nicole Driggs graduated from Ohio University as a student-athlete majoring in Exercise Physiology. She is entering her 14th year in the pharmaceutical industry and has been coaching high school softball for the last 25 years. Nicole is passionate about educating, networking, problem solving and helping people. Her industry experience spans durable medical equipment, GI, Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics, and hospital sales, including product launches for MiraLAX and Arixtra. In her current role at Quest Healthcare, she educates healthcare professionals across rehab, acute care, oncology clinics, and long-term care facilities in a six-state region, supporting those who care for vulnerable patients daily and networking regionally to achieve quality outcomes. Ryan Gebauer’s life changed at 16 when a tree-jump into a lake left him paralyzed from the neck down (C3-4). After six months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, he chose to get better rather than bitter. That decision fueled an extraordinary path: He earned degrees in Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Business, followed by an MBA in 2008. He became a licensed real estate agent, a passionate disability advocate, and founder of a spinal cord injury support group. Seeing firsthand the challenges disabled individuals face in finding accessible housing, Ryan launched the first U.S. real estate brokerage run by and specializing in serving people with disabilities. Today, as principal broker of Ryan Realty Group in Coral Springs, he uses his expertise to help disabled and senior clients find properties that truly meet their needs.
Hosted by OOTA
REGISTER HERE

Embedding AI into School-Based OT
2026-05-13 18:00 - 19:30
Presented by Jayson Davies, MA, OTR/L
6:00 – 7:30pm | 1.5 Contact Hours

Description:
Join us as Jayson Davies, MA, OTR/L, shares how AI tools can support school-based OT assessments, interventions, and documentation processes. By using AI to reduce the time spent on paperwork, practitioners can increase the time spent supporting students. This session will also cover current and evolving research, ethical considerations, and practical use cases for AI in school-based OT, including an interactive demonstration to support real-world application.

Objectives:

Identify at least three applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in school-based occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and documentation
Describe practical strategies for integrating AI tools into daily OT practice to enhance student outcomes
Discuss ethical considerations and best practices for implementing AI in school-based OT, ensuring alignment with professional standards and equitable access to services.

Presenter bio:
Jayson Davies, MA, OTR/L, is the host of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast and has been practicing and engaged in school-based occupational therapy since 2012. With experience as both a contracted therapist and an in-house employee across diverse school settings, he brings a well-rounded perspective to school-based practice.
In 2017, Jayson founded OT Schoolhouse, where he now supports practitioners through courses, conferences, and the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative. His work focuses on helping therapists implement effective, evidence-based practices, including topics such as workload management, collaborative programming, and of course, AI.

Hosted by the OOTA Pediatric Special Interest Section (SIS)
REGISTER HERE

ChatGP"OT": a Roundtable Discussion on AI in Occupational Therapy Practice
2026-06-09 19:00 - 20:00
Presented By: Southwest District Joint SIS Coordinators
Elsie Bush, OTR/L (pediatrics); Sarah Koehler, OTR/L (older adults); Sue Ram, OTR/L (mental health); Erin Rowan, OTR/L (rehabilitation)
7:00 – 8:00pm | 1.0 Contact Hours
This course will describe AI tools commonly used in OT settings, ethical issues surrounding the use of AI in OT practice, and discuss next steps and best practices when using AI. Active participation in breakout room discussion is required for course credit.
Objectives:

Attendee will discuss ethical issues relating to use of AI in OT practice and how they relate to the OT code
of ethics
Attendee will identify AI tools currently used in OT practice and indications for their use
Attendee will recognize characteristics of AI-generated therapy materials and indications for use and
additional reviews

Hosted by the OOTA Southwest District – FREE for OOTA Members
REGISTER HERE

Grief and the Role of the Occupational Therapy Practitioner
2026-07-28 18:30 - 20:30
Presented By: Jennifer H. Bradac, OT/L, LPC, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
6:30 – 8:30pm | 2.0 Contact Hours
This 2 hour course will provide an overview of grief related processes and the implications for occupational therapy practitioners and their clients who are receiving OT services while also grieving. Discussion of grief and client occupational performance within the context of the OTPF will clarify OT’s role. Strategies will be introduced for those directly providing OT interventions, specifically addressing grief processes and are centered around meaning-making and narrative work. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in personal reflective activities, including an introduction to the concept of the “Life Certificate”. Grief is highly individualized, culturally and societally formed, however, the majority of research and grief centered literature is based in and centered around Euro-American systems, creating a deficit in current, culturally sensitive, evidenced-based education and interventions. Long held grief process systems will be addressed and compared to more modern approaches for understanding grief. This course will provide OTPs with practical strategies for effectively and empathically connecting with clients, while providing therapeutically appropriate treatment to those experiencing grief. Future implications for OTPs includes addressing grief processes as they relate to disability and loss of independence, the OTP own grief process and wellness within their own context of grief and loss.
Objectives:

HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF GRIEF – Participants will identify the physical, cognitive, and emotional health implications experienced by clients and patients who are grieving.
PAST VS. MODERN GRIEF APPROACHES – Participants will compare historical and evidence-informed contemporary approaches to addressing grief-related processes.
EMPATHIC COMMUNICATION – Participants will demonstrate the use of appropriate empathic statements when engaging with clients and patients who are grieving.
SOCIOCULTURAL INFLUENCES ON GRIEF – Participants will analyze the influence of societal and cultural factors on individual and collective grief experiences.
PERSONAL GRIEF SELF-AWARENESS – Participants will apply a structured personal reflection activity to examine their own grief practices and beliefs.
THERAPEUTIC USE OF SELF – Participants will explain how self-awareness of personal grief practices informs and strengthens therapeutic use of self when providing OT services to grieving clients.
OT INTERVENTION DESIGN FOR GRIEF – Participants will apply the OT Process and Framework to design interventions that support and facilitate healthy grief processing for patients and clients.

Hosted by OOTA Mental Health Special Interest Section (SIS)
Register Here!

The Decline of Outdoor Play – And the Rise in Sensory Issues (08/26/2026)
2026-08-26 18:00 - 19:30
Presented By: Angela Hanscom, MOT, OTR/L
6:00 – 7:30pm | 1.5 Contact Hours
This presentation will discuss several strategies to help children thrive in outdoor environments using a therapeutic approach to nature play.
Objectives:

Participants will learn about the developmental changes that are taking place in children (for example, increased number of children falling, decreased strength, underdeveloped balance systems, etc.).
Participants will learn the underlying reasons why more and more children are presenting with sensory, motor, and social issues as well as a decline in creativity and imaginative play abilities.
Participants will learn ways to foster healthy sensory and motor development, creativity, and independence with outdoor play in all environmental settings

Hosted by North Coast District
REGISTER HERE
