OOTA

Ohio Occupational Therapy Association – Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-11-09 09:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Live Webinar ~ Prosthetics and the Role of OT
2025-11-11 18:30 - 19:30
LIVE WEBINAR – November 11, 2025
Presented by: Ava Thaman
1.0 Contact Hours
The course will include 4 modules covering common types of amputations, basic prosthetic components, and the essential role of occupational therapy in promoting independence and participation in meaningful daily activities. Each module will have a short pre and post quiz to optimize learning. Emphasis will be placed on real-world strategies, client-centered interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration to support holistic, compassionate care.
Register Here

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!

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

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

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
