One experience links all humans regardless of the variety of factors that may differentiate us, death. Learn about open-ended communication techniques, including specific questions, to help open dialog with patients and their families, and gain a clear understanding of what rehabilitation can offer those at the end of their life. (Trigger warning: discussions of death, dying, sickness, and old age will occur during this session)

A two-hour overview for OT practitioners that explores daily ethical responsibilities, ethical decision-making models and application of material to attendee’s real life ethical issues.

This course will explore the role of the occupational therapy assistant and its value to the occupational therapy profession as well as larger health care, educational, and community contexts. Strategies for advocacy for the occupational therapy assistant will be highlighted.

This course will seek to explore, discuss and analyze cultural sensitivities and contextual considerations for the clinical educator when mentoring a fieldwork level student.

The American Occupational Therapy Association continues to promote the role of occupational therapy in mental health settings, as this is a core component of the Centennial Vision (AOTA, 2006) and a focus of the Association’s position papers (AOTA, 2017). The profession has identified the role of occupational therapy in mental health recovery and includes residential settings as a treatment area (AOTA, 2016), however there continues to be a scarcity of therapists working in these settings and a lack of research to identify our role. This presentation will introduce participants to occupational therapy’s role in residential mental health treatment. Strategies that can be used to advocate to housing providers in forming relationships will be identified. Components of program design and interprofessional collaboration will also be identified. Case studies highlighting assessments relevant to this setting and individual and group approaches will be discussed.

Being a holistic and client-centered health care provider, occupational therapy practitioners can have a positive impact on new mothers and help with a successful role transition to motherhood as the current maternal health models appear to exhibit gaps where new mothers have needs. Occupational therapy's ability to address physical, emotional, and psychosocial issues of new mothers and suggestions for intervention areas will be explored in this course.

Overseeing and supporting OT and PT personnel and service delivery can be a challenge for special education administrators. This course will help you help your administration attract, train, supervise, support and nurture long-term relationships with OT and PT practitioners.

This session will review techniques for clear and effective communication, verbal and written communication with those from other cultures, writing and selecting easy-to-read health materials, and assessment tools to use to ensure that clients understand the therapy services provided and have the skills needed to access, understand, and use health information.

The behavior of incivility takes a toll on productivity, self-esteem and ultimately negatively impacts well-being. Attend this presentation and learn how to identify and address incivility to improve work and life environment.

The mitochondrial cells in our bodies are responsible for creating 90% of the energy needed to sustain life and support organ function. The parts of the body that need the most energy, such as the heart, brain, muscles and lungs, are the most affected by mitochondrial disease. When mitochondria malfunction, organs start to fail causing sickness and even death. OTs are uniquely poised to help with energy conservation, optimize functional outcomes, and provide quality of life for those affected by Mitochondrial Disease.