As autistic individuals transition from adolescence to adulthood, they encounter a new and unique set of challenges. Yet, at this critical time, the support available to them drops dramatically. This is known as the “services cliff.”In this one-hour continuing education course, we’ll begin by looking at the journal article “Service Needs Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism.”Then, to discuss how your occupational therapy skills can help bridge this service gap, we’ll invite Debora Davidson, PhD, OTR/L to discuss the research and her own experience providing transitional services in her private practice.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/service-cliff-and-autismHere's the primary research we are discussing:Turcotte P, Mathew M, Shea LL, Brusilovskiy E, Nonnemacher SL. Service Needs Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2016 Jul;46(7):2480-9. doi: 10.1007/s10803-016-2787-4. PMID: 27084080.Support the show (https://otpotential.com)
Any occupational therapy practitioner knows that we often face tough questions surrounding ethics and justice.We work in imperfect systems, and each day we see how societal systems favor some, while placing others at a disadvantage.So, how do we process all of this? And, how do we see ourselves as contributing to the greater good?One framework that has been taught in many OT schools involves “occupational injustice.” But, the article we will review is a critique of this familiar framework. And, instead, it will introduce you to the concept of capabilities theory.To discuss how these big-picture questions impact how you show up as an OT—including how your work can help address unjust systems—we’ll be talking to Antonia Suszek.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details on this course here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/occupational-injusticeHere's the primary research we are discussing:Hammel...
You probably spent a lot of time learning about “therapeutic use of self” during OT school. As it turns out, this phrase is just one of many frameworks that describe the relationship between therapists and patients. Over the past decade, many other relationship models have been developed and studied. This course will orient you to various concepts for understanding your relationship with patients, as well as how the different therapeutic relationships may ultimately influence outcomes.After diving into a journal article reviewing the literature on relationship-based care, we’ll invite Rafi Salazar to join us in discussing the practical clinical implications of the findings.Rafi has boots-on-the-ground experience with building strong therapist-patient relationships, as well as a 1000-foot perspective on how you can systematize strong relationships in your practice.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more details...
Over the past few decades, our understanding of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved quite a bit. And, that means the prognosis of RA patients has improved in turn. Many of the “classic” deformities associated with RA are becoming less common. And, as we learn more and more about RA and its impacts on patients, your OT care should evolve accordingly.In this 1-hour podcast course, we’ll begin by discussing a research review that covers the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Then, we’ll bring on our expert guest, Cheryl Crow, MOT, OTR/L. Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for eighteen years.In this episode, we’ll dive into RA therapy considerations that go beyond addressing joint pain. We’ll discuss approaching your therapy from a self-management lens, so you can empower those with RA to take more control over their daily lives and health.This is a vastly underserved population, and we hope to ignite your passion for providing improved ...
In neuroscience, there is a rapidly growing and evolving understanding of sensory function that is important for all occupational therapists to be tracking—and particularly those who work with autistic clients.In this one hour continuing education course, we’ll dive into a research review, where the authors take three main assumptions that both neuroscientists and occupational therapists make regarding sensory function—and they discuss where the research stands with each one.You’ll leave this article feeling humbled by how much we still have to learn about sensory function and autism. Yet, also in awe of the advances we have made over the past few decades—one can only imagine what we will learn in future years!After we look at some specific research on this topic, we’ll be bringing in our expert guest, Bryden Giving, MAOT, OTR/L. Bryden will help us connect this complex topic to your works on the frontlines. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test withi...
In many ways, the past year has changed how we practice occupational therapy. OTs and OTAs have worked in a variety of settings as we’ve seen new and different needs arise. We have been called to learn new safety protocols, new technologies, and new ways of approaching care.At the same time, OT professionals have burned out at higher rates than ever, as facilities struggle with the downturn of resources and a shift in client needs.This hour-long episode will review opportunities for occupational therapy professionals to rise to the occasion in their workplaces, communities, schools, and professional organizations through a lens of self-advocacy. We’re honored to be having this discussion with Amy Lamb, OTD, OT/L, FAOTA. Amy is the immediate past-president of the American Occupational Therapy Association. In our discussion, she will share specific takeaways from self-advocacy literature, as well as best-practice examples of OT self-advocacy. This episode aims to inspire OTs to use ...
This podcast episode discusses the important topic of how to support those who care for people with dementia. Dementia tends to inform many conversations around caregiving, largely because it is such a pressing public health concern.Yet, this is a conversation that goes beyond a single diagnosis. After all, many of our occupational therapy clients receive some type of caregiving, whether formal or informal. And, the reality is that caregivers’ health (or lack thereof) is likely to impact our clients’ health.I believe all occupational therapists—regardless of practice setting or patient population—will benefit from understanding the takeaways from this research.After we look at some specific research on this topic, we’ll be bringing in our expert guest, Brandy Archie, OTD, the founder of AccessAble Living, to talk about the practical implications of supporting caregivers in your OT practice.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential C...
The struggles of COVID-19 long haulers have caught the attention of the medical community. In many cases, symptoms seem to correlate with a little-known condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). But, even before the pandemic called attention to POTS, research and advancements in treatment were taking place in the background. Unfortunately, while the research is out there, POTS is not always understood by health providers, and proper diagnosis can take years.Occupational therapy has a potentially significant role to play in the lives of both POTS patients and COVID-19 long haulers.In this month’s hour-long podcast episode, we are luckily enough to talk to POTS researcher and practicing clinician, Emily Rich. We discuss what we do and don’t know about POTS, as well as the strategies you can use to help these patients get the most out of life. In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.You can find more detail...
Whether we’re students, educators, or clinicians working on the frontlines of care, we all have a stake in the world of occupational therapy (OT) education.The changes in clinical education this year are so large that even those working in academia have struggled to keep up.This 1-hour CE course will ask you to reflect on trends in higher education prior to 2020, and assess how COVID-19 has impacted higher education. It will also lead you to consider how OT education may forever be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to encourage educators and program directors to continue thinking outside the box, find ways to increase program flexibility, harness long-term use of technology, and creatively support occupational therapy students.The course will reference current research on trends in higher education both pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic with OT Program Director, Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, MOT, OTR/L. We look at what we’ve learned during the pandemic, what will stay after ...
The number of adults diagnosed with autism is rising. Yet, we currently have very few evidence-based interventions to offer this population.We seem to be falling short of truly supporting autistic adults. We need to do better, not just by addressing their challenges, but also by bolstering their unique strengths.This 1-hour episode is going to push you to think big-picture about the unmet needs of autistic adults—and, hopefully, it will help you address both the challenges and strengths that can be part of being neurodivergent in a world that is built for neurotypicals. Our goal is to support you as an OT, so you can help autistic adults live a life they love.The course will begin with a breakdown of some current research exploring the priorities of autistic adults. Then, Meg Proctor, an occupational therapist with expertise in working with patients on the spectrum, will join us to discuss practical takeaways.In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within th...