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Calendar of Events
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2nd Annual Research Symposium
WAS held on July 11, 2026
Virtual
| 2026 Research Symposium On Demand Recordings |
| Making Research Matter: Partnership and Participation - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1.25 PDUs Sheryl J. Ryan, PhD, OTR/L This session will use participatory action research (PAR) as a guiding example for integrating research and practice, exploring what occupational therapy can learn from collaborative research approaches that emphasize shared decision-making and meaningful participation. Clients, clinicians, and researchers bring unique areas of expertise that are all needed to produce relevant and actionable knowledge. Examples will draw from community-based partnerships and qualitative research experience. The session will conclude with implications for students, clinicians, educators, and researchers, emphasizing knowledge translation, implementation science, and the development of research-practice partnerships. - 7/2026 |
| Addressing Occupations in Family-Centered Care - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1 PDU Aaron Bonsall, PhD, MSOT, OTR/L This presentation will demonstrate the importance of family occupations and how they can be addressed and include definitions of family, the importance of family occupations, and an analysis of how doing together is constructed. An understanding of the meaning of family occupations can enhance the focus of therapy in pediatric care and in other settings that are often overlooked. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of how practitioners can enhance family-centered care by focusing on occupations. Practical strategies for family-centered care include improved communication, examining service-delivery approaches, and taking a top-down approach to understanding families’ needs. - 7/2026 |
| Understanding the Daily Life Impact of Gastrointestinal Symptoms for Autistic Children and Adults: The Power of a Community-Engaged Research Approach - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1 PDU Amber Angell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Daniella (Dani) Florindez, MPH; Tavia L. Lawson; Melanie Guzman, BA In this session, findings from an ongoing research study in the Disparity Reduction and Equity in Autism Services (DREAmS) Lab focused on how autistic people and their families experience gastrointestinal symptoms, which commonly co-occur with autism, and their experiences seeking healthcare to address these symptoms will be presented. To be described will be the community-engaged research approach with Autistic Lived Experience Collaborators, a group of autistic adult collaborators, including innovative ways that are contributing to ongoing data analysis. During this presentation, the Autistic Lived Experience Collaborators will share their perspectives about and experiences with participating in this study. Participants will discuss implications for occupational therapy providers and the provision of person- and family-centered, neurodiversity-affirming care. - 7/2026 |
| Student Presentations and Panel Discussion - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1.25 PDUs Student Presentations and Panel Discussion - 7/2026 |
Cancellation/Refund Policy. $35 is retained to cover cancellation/refund processing costs. Written notice must be received in the OTAC office by July 9, 2026 to be eligible for refunds. No refunds after this date. Disclaimer: OTAC reserves the right to make changes to the program. No refunds will made based on these changes.
Past Research Symposiums
2025 1st Annual Research Symposium
| 2025 Research Symposium On Demand Recordings |
| KEYNOTE: Partnering Up in Research Engagements - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1.5 PDUs Mary Lawlor, ScD, MEd, OTR/L, FAOTA Attendees will hear about lessons learned, reflections, and examples about how to optimize the engagement of researchers, clinicians, and community partners in research. Emphasis will be placed on how to leverage complementarity in expertise, co-produce knowledge and research, facilitate productive conversations and mutual endeavors, and support research relationships. - 7/2025 |
| Neurodevelopment and Sensory Processing - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1 PDU Presentation 1: Organization-Level Occupational Therapy Consultation to Support Cultural Arts Participation Among People with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities | Caroline Umeda, PhD, OTR/L This session will provide an overview of occupational therapy's role in disability access and inclusion efforts within cultural arts organizations. The presenters’ past and current research projects examining the components, structure, and impact of this emerging practice area and identify key next steps for occupational therapy practitioners and researchers will be discussed. Presentation 2: Following Ayres' Path | Erna Blanche, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Janet Gunter, OTD, OTR/L Fifty years ago, Ayres established a path for research that is now difficult to follow. She developed her theory, assessment tools, and interventions while maintaining close ties to clinical practice. This presentation will focus on the challenges and benefits of maintaining a clinical presence while engaging in academic research. At the end of this presentation, participants will understand the need to collect systematic data in clinical settings and the associated challenges. - 7/2025 |
| Adult Rehabilitation in the Post-Pandemic World Panel - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1 PDU Presentation 1: Patient and Provider Experiences of Navigating Return-to-Work with Long COVID: Lessons Learned and Community-Driver Priorities | Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS, FAOTA, FAIUM; Jamie Wilcox, OTD, OTR/L Long COVID, a chronic condition with wide-ranging symptoms and impairments, affects nearly 7% of American adults. Returning to work with this poorly understood, yet complex, chronic condition within our health and social systems is challenging. This presentation will provide perspectives and experiences of individuals living with this condition, an overview of the roles of occupational therapy practitioners in supporting their return to work, and emerging findings from a community-engaged research project aimed at identifying priorities for practice, advocacy, and research. Presentation 2: Wearing Two Coats: Research in a Clinician’s World | John Margetis, OTD, OTR/L A brief overview will be provided of ongoing clinical and translational research efforts at Keck Medical Center of USC with a focus on feasibility of participation for a full-time clinician. Participants will discuss potential challenges for participating in research efforts as well as identify strategies to contribute to research efforts within their own institutions. - 7/2025 |
| Narrowing the Gap: Research Practice Partnerships to Integrate Value-Based Occupational Therapy - $19 members/$39 nonmembers - 1 PDU Alison Cogan, PhD, OTR/L; Pamela Roberts, PhD, OTR/L, SCFES, FAOTA, CPHQ, FNAP, FACRM This session will summarize value-based strategies for integrating research evidence into practice. It will highlight research practice partnerships, the need for readily accessible evidence, and the value of mentorship in fostering evidence-based practice. Attendees will hear how occupational therapy practitioners can effectively partner with researchers to identify relevant research and translate findings into clinical practice and provide tools and strategies for accessing, understanding, and communicating research evidence. - 7/2025 |
| Breakout Rooms and Student Poster Presentations by Practice Areas Session was not recorded due to being breakout sessions. |