Deconstructing Occupation-Based Practice

• Presenter: Wendy Stav
• Time: 10:30am -12:00pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: This session deconstructs occupation-based practice for attendees to reflect on their own therapeutic interactions for occupation-based practice decisions.  The workshop will begin with a review of the importance of occupation-based practice including the historical roots of occupation in practice, the benefits of occupation, improved health outcomes, positive client motivations, increased practitioner satisfaction, and distinction of practice from other professions. Participants will then explore external influences and expectations for occupation-based practice.
• Level: Introductory

Supporting Moms After Delivery: From Hospital to Home

• Presenter: Amber Schmitt
• Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom B
• Description: Every year more patients undergo C-sections than inpatient knee and hip replacements combined, so why is this population not receiving therapy prior to discharge home? Moms are routinely discharged without the ability to complete self-cares, safe transfers, or education on how to lift and care for their newborn while maintaining abdominal precautions. Occupational Therapists have training and know-how to prepare patients for safe return to daily life activities; whether that’s through education on ADL modifications, use of adaptive equipment, or practice of energy conservation techniques. Join in the discussion on how we can decrease postpartum dysfunction and improve healing and independence of our patients after delivery.
• Level: Introductory
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Proof That You Are Right!: Effectiveness of virtual OT and adaptive equipment for improving health outcomes and how you can build a program in your community

• Presenter: Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIP
• Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
• Location: Hearth
• Description: This session highlights the outcomes of a program that used virtual OT assessments and adaptive equipment to help older adults age in place. It will show how OTs can use technology to reduce falls and healthcare costs.
• Level: Intermediate & Advanced
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Putting Your Business Idea into Action

• Presenter: Jannah Oppermann
• Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: Have you always had a great idea and you know people would benefit from your idea, but you are stuck on where to start? This business planning workshop will include teaching participants to write actionable business plans, develop strategic goals, understand financial forecasts, create budgets, conduct market and competitor analysis, and outline implementation and monitoring strategies to ensure sustainable growth and adaptation to market changes.
• Level: Introductory

People and their Pets - A review of literature & discussion

• Presenter: Christy Gorman, COTA/L
• Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
• Location: Hearth
• Description: This session will review the literature on the human-animal bond and discuss how occupational therapy practitioners can assist hospitalized patients who are anxious about their pets. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and morale.
• Level: Introductory

The Developmental Benefits of a Great Playground

• Presenter: Gabrielle Gardner
• Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm 
• Location: Grand Ballroom B
• Description: This session explores how good playground design can enhance optimal motor and sensory development in children. Participants will learn how to use playground equipment to achieve therapeutic outcomes.
• Level: Introductory & Intermediate

Adapting Fieldwork for Success: Tips from the CI Perspective

• Presenter: Claire Schueler, MSOT, OTR/L
• Time: 2:30-3:30pm
• Location: Hearth
• Description: This session offers clinical instructors practical tips and interventions for adapting fieldwork experiences to better support students and track their progress in a meaningful way.
• Level: Intermediate

Snack Buddies: Supporting Snack Time, Nutrition, & Parent Connection

• Presenter: Sarah Zimmerman, OTD, OTR/L
• Time: 2:30pm-3:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom B
• Description: This presentation details the "Snack Buddies" program, an interdisciplinary group for children with autism spectrum disorder designed to increase mealtime participation, social communication, and dietary variety.
• Level: Introductory

(Virtual) - Just Breathe! Enhancing School-Based OT with Mindfulness

• Presenter: Neha Chugh-Gupta
• Time: 2:30pm-3:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: This introductory session provides practical strategies for integrating mindfulness into pediatric occupational therapy sessions to enhance effectiveness and improve children's self-regulation and emotional well-being.
• Level: Introductory

How to Customize Grab Bar Placement Next to the Toilet

• Presenter: Maria Lindbergh, MOT, OTR/L, ECHM
• Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
• Location: Hearth
• Description: This presentation provides a step-by-step guide for occupational therapy practitioners on how to measure, select, and customize grab bar placement to prevent falls from the toilet. It focuses on taking the guesswork out of a common home modification.
• Level: Intermediate
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Treatment and Consideration of LGBTQIA+ Populations

• Presenter: Ryan Sprague
• Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: This presentation provides foundational knowledge on the LGBTQIA+ population, covering definitions, statistics, and common myths. The goal is to help OTs increase the efficacy of their evaluations and treatment with this community.
• Level: Introductory

Streamlining Evidence-Based Practice in OT Using the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model & Tools 

• Presenter: Angela M. Cecil
• Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom B
• Description: This workshop will be like a "show and tell" of JHEBP tools that are available to participants at no charge after receiving copyright permission. This content is ideal for occupational therapy practitioners who may be new to or intimidated by the EBP process or are seeking a refresher. Occupational therapy students may benefit from this material by learning about the overall process of EBP for current or future applications. Participants will engage in simple individual and group-based learning experiences for practicing with JHEBP tools. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be equipped with applying the concepts of EBP by using JHEBP tools for identifying best practices in their environments. 
• Level: Introductory
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Small Gestures, Big Impact: Supporting Therapist Well-being

• Presenter: Salsabeel Ahmad Bader, OTR/L
• Time: 3:45–4:45 PM
• Location: Prefunction
• Description: This session highlights the importance of investing in therapist well-being as a foundation for effective patient care. Participants will explore simple, creative activities—such as HOPE walls, wellness boards, and art-based practices—that promote energy, motivation, and emotional balance among rehabilitation professionals. Discussion will focus on practical ways to initiate and share these wellness practices within therapy teams to cultivate a culture of positivity, connection, and sustained engagement.
• Level: Introductory
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Promoting Healing Environment Through Renovating Courtyard in Inpatient Psychiatry Unit to Inspire Change through Horticulture OT Groups

• Presenter: Caroline Lurie, OTR/L; Allison Sullivan, DOT, OTR/L, ECMH-E; Amy Mueller, OTR/L, CLT, CSRP
• Time: 3:45pm-3:45pm
• Location: Prefunction
• Description: This session demonstrates the value of occupational therapy within an inpatient psychiatric unit by showcasing the renovation of an outdoor courtyard designed to promote healing through horticultural therapy. Participants will learn how occupational therapists can leverage their skills in program development and environmental adaptation to create safe, meaningful spaces that foster participation, wellness, and recovery. The project, funded by a $10,000 grant, illustrates how OT practitioners can drive change through innovation, advocacy, and environmental design.
• Level: Introductory
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Occupational Therapy's Role in Accessible Design for Aging in Place

• Presenter: Ashley Roberts Dulany, OTR/L, CAPS, ADAC
• Time: 3:45pm-4:45pm
• Location: Prefunction
• Description: This session defines occupational therapy’s distinct value in accessible home design and highlights collaboration opportunities with architects and designers to support aging in place. The presenter will review existing literature on OT involvement in home design and discuss ways to expand this role in the future. Attendees will explore how OT’s expertise in activity analysis and environmental fit can enhance safety, independence, and long-term quality of life for older adults.
• Level: Introductory
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Occupational Therapists in Tiered Interventions in School-Based Practice in Missouri

• Presenter: Haven Herndon, OTR/L
• Time: 3:45pm-4:45 PM
• Location: Prefunction
• Description: This session explores the current state of Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) implementation in Missouri schools and how occupational therapists contribute across the tiers. Through state survey findings, attendees will identify barriers to OT involvement and gain strategies to advocate for stronger integration and collaboration with educators and administrators. Participants will leave with tools to enhance OT’s impact in school-based tiered interventions.
• Level: Introductory
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Therapeutic Horticulture: Cultivating Health and Community Well-being through Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

• Presenter: Peggy Beckley, PhD, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Prajakta Khare-Ranade, EdD, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND; Mary Falcetti, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
• Time: 3:45pm-4:45pm
• Location: Prefunction
• Description: This session explores how therapeutic horticulture can enhance occupational therapy practice across the lifespan. Participants will learn about interprofessional collaboration among occupational therapists, horticultural therapists, and registered dietitian nutritionists, and how gardening-based interventions promote cognitive, social, and motor development. Discussion will focus on the therapeutic and community-building potential of nature-based activities within rehabilitation and wellness programs.
• Level: Introductory
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Innovative Practices to Reduce Stigma in Pediatric Mental Health

• Presenters: Tiffany Bolton, OTD, OTR/L & Brittney Stevenson, OTD, OTR/L
• Time: 3:45–4:45 PM
• Location: Prefunction
• Description: This session addresses the stigma that limits access to occupational therapy services for children with mental and behavioral health needs. Presenters will share innovative approaches to advocacy, including the use of podcasts and storytelling platforms that connect parents, professionals, and the community. Participants will explore ways to reduce stigma, promote awareness, and enhance access to mental health services for children and families.
• Level: Introductory

Advocacy in Action: Protecting OT Practice in Missouri

• Presenter: Lindsay Bright, OTD, OTR/L, Maria Lindbergh, MOT, OTR/L, ECHM, Claire Schueler, MSOT, OTR/L
• Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
• Location: Hearth
• Description: This session focuses on the importance of advocacy for occupational therapy in Missouri. It will cover key legislative issues and provide attendees with actionable strategies to engage in advocacy at individual and organizational levels.
• Level: Introductory
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On the Same Page? PCP and OTP Insights on Pediatric Mental Health

• Presenter: Brittney Stevenson, Madi Hoehn, Olivia Elzey
• Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: The need for health professionals to acknowledge and treat concerns about children’s mental health (MH) is rising. U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, strongly urged the nation to prioritize the MH of parents and their children, as a MH crisis has begun to shift society and continues to grow due to a lack of available resources and adequate referrals (Murthy, 2024).
• Level: Intermediate & Advanced
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Enhancing Acute Care: An Evaluation Protocol for Lower Extremity Amputees

• Presenter: Laura Landon, Nicole Grames, Madison Niessen 
• Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom B
• Description: This presentation outlines the development of a standardized, evidence-based evaluation protocol for occupational therapists working with lower extremity amputees in acute care. It focuses on improving consistency and patient outcomes.
• Level: Intermediate
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Missouri's OT School-Based Practice Guidelines Updates

• Presenter: Jacque Sample
• Time: 2:45pm-3:45pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: This presentation will inform school-based occupational therapy practitioners about the updated Missouri School-Based Practice Guidelines and how to use the new document to support the full scope of OT practice.
• Level: Intermediate
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NBCOT® National Certification Exam: Information You Need to Know

• Presenter: Cheryl Strickland
• Time: 2:45pm-3:45pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom B
• Description: An NBCOT Ambassador will share valuable information about the national OTR and COTA certification exams, including the application process, preparation strategies, and study tools.
• Level: Introductory

The Findings of Cannabis Laws and the Impact in Community Dwellings

• Presenter: Catherine Germany 
• Time: 2:45pm-3:45pm
• Location: Hearth
• Description: This study explores how medical cannabis can improve quality of life and manage chronic pain in long-term care facilities. The session discusses the role of OTs in bridging the knowledge gap and advocating for its use, considering varying state laws.
• Level: Introductory
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Occupational Therapy in RTI/MTSS: Defining Roles, Overcoming Barriers, Driving Change

• Presenter: Haven Herndon
• Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: This session defines the scope of occupational therapy within Response to Intervention (RTI) and to Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) frameworks and provides tools and advocacy strategies to increase OT involvement.
• Level: Intermediate
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Occupational Justice in OT Education: Turning Words into Action

• Presenter: Julia Henderson Kalb
• Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: This presentation will review AOTA’s documents as they relate to occupational justice, both where it is applied and where it is missing.It will then discuss the way our MOT program has threaded occupational justice concepts into OT curriculum, including practice classes, so that future occupational therapists are more justice-oriented in their approach to client care.
• Level: Intermediate

AT That Works: Your Guide to Devices, Resources and DIY Tools

• Presenter: Scout Merry
• Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
• Location: Hearth

Level: Intermediate

Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Fieldwork

• Presenter: Michelle Furman 
• Time: 5:15pm-6:15pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom A
• Description: Based on a research study, this presentation provides fieldwork educators with knowledge and skills to support neurodivergent occupational therapy students. It identifies optimal teaching approaches and addresses common barriers.
• Level: Intermediate
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Promoting Access to Play for Children with Disabilities: Switched Adapted Toy Workshop

• Presenter: Sarah Zimmerman 
• Time: 5:15pm-6:30pm
• Location: Grand Ballroom B
• Description: Play is a fundamental human right for all children and essential to the development of motor, social–emotional and cognitive skills. It is also the primary occupation of childhood. Children with disabilities have less access to toys to promote development than non-disabled peers. A common toy for children with disabilities is a switch operated toy.
• Level: Introductory 
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Managing POTS: A Functional Approach to Autonomic Dysfunction

• Presenter: Jenna Hopkins
• Time: 5:15pm-6:15pm
• Location: Hearth
• Description: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a form of dysautonomia, is an increasingly recognized condition that disrupts the autonomic nervous system, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, rapid heart rate, fatigue, temperature sensitivity, brain fog, and functional decline. These symptoms may present inconsistently and are frequently misunderstood, contributing to diagnostic delays and mismanagement, but they profoundly impact occupational performance across daily life domains.
• Level: Intermediate
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