ChatGP"OT": a Roundtable Discussion on AI in Occupational Therapy Practice
2026-06-09 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
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

OOTA Membership Committee meeting
2026-06-23 18:00 - 19:00
Join the OOTA Membership Committee on June 23!
During this meeting, we will get to know one another and start digging into the real value of OOTA’s member benefits and programming.
So that we can ensure you don’t miss any communications in the lead up to that meeting, we ask that you please fill out the sign-up form below.
And if you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to ootastaff@gpsforgrowth.com.
We can’t wait to see you on June 23!

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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
