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An Introduction to Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice in Occupational Therapy

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This course was created in collaboration with these state associations

An Introduction to Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice in Occupational Therapy

Self Paced
$20 (Free for GOTA, LOTA, and TNOTA Members)
1 Contact Hour

This course is created by the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association

If you need assistance or accommodations, please contact us at Info@AspireOT.us
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With the prevalence of diagnoses like autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder on the rise in the U.S., occupational therapy practitioners need to be aware of the unique needs of neurodivergent children and adults. This session will serve as an introduction to the concept of neurodiversity and will include information about the history of disability models and the neurodiversity movement. The significance of neurodiversity-affirming practice in our work as OT practitioners will be covered, and the presentation will conclude with an opportunity for sharing of practical shifts that can be incorporated into clinical practice to improve interactions with clients and ultimately the effectiveness of OT services.

Target Audience: Occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, occupational therapy students

Presented by: 
Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, OTR/L, ATP (TNOTA)
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Learning objectives
After completion of this occupational therapy continuing education course, participants will be able to:
  • Define the term neurodiversity.
  • Discuss the origins of the neurodiversity movement and its development over time, including a history of disability models.
  • Identify ideas that align with neurodiversity-affirming care to take into clinical practice.
Instructor bios
Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, OTR/L, ATP
TNOTA Guest Instructor

Stephanie graduated with a degree in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis in 1991. She has worked as an OT educator since 2013 and serves as associate professor in the OT program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. She holds an M.S. in Leadership & Policy Studies and a Doctorate of Education in Instruction & Curriculum Design with an emphasis on Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Memphis. She served as the co-facilitator of the TNOTA Pediatric Community of Practice for several years before moving into the role of TNOTA President. Stephanie holds a specialty certification as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).






Completion Requirements
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In order to receive the certificate of completion, participants must meet ALL of the following criteria:
  • Complete GOTA, TNOTA, ALOTA, or LOTA membership verification for course enrollment or pay for course
  • View the video for the full duration
  • Complete the content exam with an 80% score
Please note that no credit or certificate will be issued unless all criteria is met.  Partial credit will not be issued.  
cancellation policy
Live Courses and Webinars
Learner cancellations: In the event that the learner requests to cancel or is unable to attend a course, a refund for the total paid for the course will be granted if Aspire OT is notified via email at info@aspireot.us within 10 business days prior to date of the scheduled course, minus a non-refundable registration fee of 25% of registration price.  If the learner provides notification of cancellation less then 10 business days prior to the scheduled course, the learner will be offered the opportunity to attend the same webinar on an alternate date or enrollment in the recorded on-demand version of that webinar, instead of a refund.  

No refunds will be issued after a course has been attended for more than 30 minutes.  Partial credit will not be issued.  

Provider cancellations: In the event of inclement weather or other event resulting in the inability for a live course to be provided within the scheduled time, learners will be offered an alternate date or a full refund for registration paid.
On-Demand web Courses 
Web courses will remain available to learners for 1 year. No refunds will be available for web courses that have been attended or viewed for greater than 30 minutes. In the event of a refund, the learner will be unenrolled in the course immediately upon issuance of a refund. No refunds will be issued for any course in which a certificate has been issued.  

Course Author

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This occupational therapy continuing education course is being offered as part of Aspire OT's State Association Partnership Program.