The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Bethesda, Md, will be hosting a Specialty Conference in December spotlighting occupational therapy and autism spectrum disorders.

As more cases are diagnosed daily, and as new research, evidence, treatments, and interventions are put into practice, occupational therapy practitioners need to stay at the forefront of discovery, notes AOTA.

The conference is to be held on December 3 and 4 in Baltimore.

Among the session topics: sensory needs, policy and practice updates, and trends and community partners for autism.

AOTA says the topic of autism was chosen for the first AOTA Specialty Conference because the profession of occupational therapy can be instrumental to children, adults, and families when facing the many social, sensory, communication, and behavioral challenges often associated with this diagnosis. 

Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, and Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, are the keynote speakers.

The session topics are as follows:

  • Sensory Needs
  • Social Communication and Participation Skills
  • Policy and Practice Update
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Youth and Family Panel
  • Practitioner Panel on Collaboration
  • Early Childhood
  • Adolescents and Young Adults
  • Trends and Community Partners for Autism

Conference speakers:

  • Jane Case-Smith, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
  • Lisa A. Crabtree, PhD, OTR/L
  • Janet DeLany, DEd, OTR/L, FAOTA
  • Barbara Demchick, MS, OTR/L
  • Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
  • Kristie Koenig, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
  • Brenda Smith Myles, PhD
  • Sandra Schefkind, MS, OTR/L
  • Scott Tomchek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
  • Reneé Watling, PhD, OTR/L
  • Chuck Willmarth

Registration opens August 2.

Click here for more information.

[Source: AOTA]