Pain is a hot topic in the healthcare world. Now more than ever, OT practitioners need to be prepared to advocate for the distinct value of OT because we are uniquely qualified to provide effective treatment interventions that will increase occupational performance for those with acute or chronic pain. This presentation will provide an overview of pain, discussion of the biopsychosocial approach, and specific evidence-based assessments and interventions for pain. 

Presented by: Niccole Rowe, BA, COTA/L and Kimberly Breeden, MS, OTR/L

Adult Track

Presented by: Matthew Levac, MS, OTR/L

Pediatric Track

The purpose of this presentation is to educate occupational therapy practitioners on an effective process for creating interventions with children and families using an occupation-based coaching model of practice. The focus will be on engagement of participation in occupations via telehealth.

Presented by: Reina Olivera, DrOT, OTR/L

Pediatric Track

As occupational therapy practitioners, we understand the need to adapt and create materials for our students and clients. In today's age of Pinterest and Facebook there are plenty of resources available. But do you have certain individuals that may require additional supports? Do you find that you are downloading resources from different websites? This presentation will go over how to create custom adapted worksheets, both quickly and effectively, that can address a wide range of skills and goals. It will focus on using Microsoft Office products such as Word, Publisher, and Powerpoint which are readily available in most office environments.

Presented by: Matthew Levac, M.S., OTR/L and Allison Nagy M.S. OTR/L

Pediatric Track

Presented by: Mary Schmitz, OTD, OT/L and Emily Reilly, DHSc, MS, OTR/L, ECHM  

Pediatric Track

Presented by: Kay Wing, PT, DPT, NCS  

Adult Track

This course will contain 14 poster presentations on various subjects. The poster presentations will be pre-recorded and can be watched any time during conference. 

Click here to see a full list of titles and presenters.

Presented by: Various OT practitioners and students

General Session (Included in all conference registrations)

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) will be collaborating over the next 4 years to create the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Work on this endeavor began in the summer of 2019, as the Council of State Governments (CSG) was contracted by AOTA to assist with developing the compact. Since that time, additional efforts have included the creation of an Advisory Group and Drafting Team. This presentation will provide a summary of the roles and functions of these working teams, as well as a review of the compact development process and anticipated implementation timelines. This session will also outline the history, purpose, costs, and benefits of licensure compacts; address the advocacy needed to establish a compact; and identify means for state occupational therapy regulatory boards/committees to be involved.

Presented by: Dan Logsdon and Shaun Conway, OTR

General Session

The purpose of our research was to answer the question, “Are older adults moving into a LPC at a higher level of acuity now than those who moved in 4 years ago?” Scores from various assessments measuring aspects of quality of life, cognition, health status, activity involvement, and meaningfulness were compiled. Results indicate a need for OT to work with older adults transitioning to LPCs to support their successful maintaining of independence.
 
Presented by: Emily Schulz, PhD, OTR/L, CFLE
Chad Arnette, OTS
Linh Lam, OTS
Jessica Meyer, OTR 

Adult Track

Practitioners will gain understanding of the underlying causes of cerebral palsy and the early signs for early identification. They will learn about therapeutic approaches that capitalize on brain neuroplasticity and the rapid growth and development of brain structures from birth to five years.

Presented by: Valerie Pieraccini, MS, OTR
Patricia Steffen-Sanchez, MS, OTR/L 

Pediatric Track

Mentoring a doctoral capstone student differs from fieldwork as mentors serve as a guide for students as they gain skills in identified focus areas. Potential capstone mentors should understand the requirements and purpose of capstone and how evidence-based collaboration can align student-learning objectives with a project beneficial to the mentor. First presenters will provide an overview of capstone as it differs from fieldwork. Next, we will focus on OT mentor and community mentor experiences and project outcomes. Finally, a panel session including OT community partners will discuss with participants the benefits of a capstone program and answer questions.

Presented by: Sara Stephenson OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, Rebecca L. Wolf, JD, MPH, OTR/L, and Jennifer Muriithi, OTD, OTR/L  

General Session

This presentation will provide information on preparing for the NBCOT national certification examination, as well as the examination application process and the benefits of certification. The mission of NBCOT is to serve the public interest by advancing client care and professional practice through evidence-based certification standards and the validation of knowledge essential for effective practice in occupational therapy. NBCOT demonstrates these practices by developing, administering, and continually reviewing the certification process based on current and valid standards that provide reliable indicators of competence of the practice of occupational therapy.
  
Presented by: Shaun Conway, OTR

Student Track

Presented by: ArizOTA

General Track

Miss the community and networking of live conference? ArizOTA has you covered for this virtual conference. Order in or craft your lunch in your very own kitchen then log on to network and connect with other OT practitioners through SIS chat rooms. 

Presented by: ArizOTA

General Session

OT’s use of cognitive assessments (CA) to identify cognitive impairment is essential to client well-being and participation in valued occupations. Through the utilization of CAs, occupational therapists are positioned to provide accurate identification of impairments, as well as robust progress measurements. As such, presenters contend that OTs should routinely implement CAs, such as performance-based assessments, to clients regardless of setting to inform valuable treatment interventions and recommendations. With implementation of these types of standardized and functional tests, OTs are practicing at the top of their licensure promoting the distinct value of OT in the assessment and treatment of cognitive impairments.

Presented by: Sara Stephenson OTD, OTR/L, BCPR and Amanda Blattman OTD, OTR/L, 

Adult Track

• According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 report, musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 39% of the workplace injuries resulting from poor ergonomics and faulty behaviors. Research has also indicated the ramifications of poor ergonomics on the cognitive and emotional aspects of health. Studies have revealed that these health concerns can be mitigated with ergonomics strategies like redesigning the workspace, facilitating behavior changes, and implementing the participatory ergonomics approach. Occupational therapy practitioners play a distinct role in this field by evaluating and assisting the abilities of a person holistically to maximize their work performance and minimize the health repercussions.
  
  

Presented by: Priya Parekh, OTD, OTR/L, CEAS

Adult Track

• In this presentation, Dr. Espelita will reflect on his personal experience as an occupational therapist working collaboratively in the pediatric complex care program at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. 
  
  

Presented by: Allen Espelita, OTD, OTR/L, C/NDT, CEAS I, PAM 

Pediatric Track

In this moderated virtual panel, recent graduates from OT/OTA programs in Arizona will share their perspectives on the transition from student to practitioner. Topics for discussion include: finding a job after graduation; passing NBCOT; OT's role in different treatment settings; how to get the most out of your education; when to pursue advanced training; maintaining a work/life balance and more. The discussion will conclude with a Q & A segment.
 
 
Presented by: Panel of New Practitioners 

Student Track

Presented by: Robert Scales, Ph.D.,
Cynthia Ivy, OTD, CHT
Case Peters, OTS
Jacob Ayoub, OTS

Adult Track

There is little research on the role of OT with the hospice/palliative care population. There is even less research on the use of aquatic therapy and benefits to the hospice/palliative care population, and little to no research discussing the benefits of aquatic therapy for children in hospice or with life-limiting conditions. There is a lack of evidence addressing the relation between sensory integration and aquatic therapy or sensory stimulation in a pediatric hospice setting. This research seeks to address these gaps and discuss the relevance of incorporating sensory integration into aquatic treatment and its benefits for the hospice/palliative care pediatric population.

Presented by:  Jade Smith, OTS
Sarah Pecorelli, OTS
Rachel Reed, OTS  

Pediatric Track

Occupation-based treatment showcases our distinct value in an environment where payment is changing from volume to value. This workshop explores what it really means to be occupation-based and provide a formula to guide treatment planning.

Presented by: Tamara Turner, Ed.D., OTR/L
Alison de la Montaigne, MOT, OTR/L 

General Session

OT and OTA students will have an opportunity to meet and connect with OT students outside their program of study in this casual mixer. Some of the conversations will be structured around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion topics and the ongoing work of Arizona's COTAD chapters.
  


Student Track

Presented by: Sarah Anderson, OTD, OTR/L 

General Session

Children who have experienced trauma are at risk to living in a dysregulated state of arousal. Emotional abuse, loss of a caregiver, inconsistency, and chronic misattunement contribute to a large number of psychiatric problems. A child who did not develop within a safe and supportive care-giving environment learns alternative ways to cope with distress including hyperactivity, aggression, self-harm, and sleeping problems. Supportive relationships build brain architecture and resilience, and should not be considered as ancillary to treatment plans, goals, and techniques to children. This presentation provides strategies to build safety in their life.

Presented by: Lara Taggart, Ed.D, OTR/L
Kelly Moritz, OTD, OTR/L 

Pediatric Track