The interoceptive system, often referred to as the ‘eighth sensory system’ is often neglected or misunderstood. However, this system is critical to self regulation. This course will explain how understanding the 8th sensory system can contribute to better sensory modulation, social interaction and ultimately as better sense of self-awareness.

The limited literature available points to a critical need for a sexual education that appropriately addresses the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This review provides promising strategies that can be utilized by occupational therapists for effective sexual education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This course seeks to provide information that will assist the junior and seasoned therapist in advocating for and treating clients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). It provides the participant with recent research and treatment ideas for the CRPS patient.

Immersive virtual reality provides an engaging, motivating, task-oriented and salient experience that provides the requisite use, repetition and intensity of training for skill acquisition and performance. This course will use case-based videos and demonstrations along with a didactic approach to review several immersive virtual reality systems, activities and the available virtual reality evidence in order to integrate their use with evidence-based treatment strategies toward a patient's rehabilitation goals.

Evidence based intervention techniques for the hemiplegic upper limb are required to increase functional performance for individuals with stroke. Discussion will include current evidence for intervention techniques such as NMES, slings, splints, traditional neurorehabilitation techniques, and functional use.

This session discusses the benefits of social media and how occupational therapy practitioners can properly use social media to augment practice and patient/client care. It explains the difference between one’s professional social media profile and one’s personal social media profile. It also discusses case law and reports of legal blunders that have led to arrest, loss of license, and/or job termination because of poor judgment, lack of professionalism, and unknowing misuse of social media – and how to avoid these blunders.

This presentation will focus on the use of technology and modifications to achieve independence through adaptations. Secondly, this presentation will present how Jim's Place (St. Ambrose University adapted home and assistive technology training center) can be utilized as a global resource to assist in the decision-making process in the utilization of assistive technology and/or home modification.

Working in collaboration with families, studios, and community organizations, the Dance Ability Movement uses Occupational Therapy to build inclusive communities within dance studios, creating a welcoming space that directly impacts the health and well-being of those involved. The evolving Dance Ability model for inclusion and the impact that dance has on health and well-being, will be shared, along with the feedback, research, and stories that have come forth from dancers, families, volunteers, and others involved with their community.

This course will expound upon the literature to date about comprehensive geriatric assessments. Learners will gain practical tools for applications to their respective settings working with older adults.

The field of occupational therapy believes that through therapeutic use of self the skilled practitioner can select the just right challenge and in the process have a positive impact on the self-efficacy of their clients. In this course session, participants will have the unique opportunity to explore the current evidence-based literature, which indicates a direct correlation between perceived efficacy and adherence, as well as learn strategies for facilitating client insight into their functional performance.