MiOTA Fall Conference 2026

Welcome to MiOTA’s Fall Conference 2026!

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:45am CDT

Understanding the Preschool Sensory Environment: A Research Study & Implications for Practice

Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

This session focuses on the research and practical implications of the preschool sensory environment. After a brief review of what is currently known in the literature about preschool sensory environments and their relevance for children's participation, we will present the findings from our current ongoing research into teachers' perspectives on their own preschool classroom environments. Finally, we will link the body of research and our own findings to practical implications for occupational therapists working in these early childhood environments, highlighting opportunities for OTs to work with teachers to create supportive sensory environments.

References:
Kuhaneck, H. M., & Kelleher, J. (2015). Development of the classroom sensory environment assessment (CSEA). The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(6), 6906180040p1-6906180040p9.

Piller, A., & Pfeiffer, B. (2016). The sensory environment and participation of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. OTJR: occupation, participation and health, 36(3), 103-111.

Tamblyn, A., Sun, Y., May, T., Evangelou, M., Godsman, N., Blewitt, C., & Skouteris, H. (2023). How do physical or sensory early childhood education and care environment factors affect childr

Speakers

Tricia Foster

Associated Professor, Western Michigan University

Tricia Foster, PhD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Western Michigan University. Her research, clinical, and teaching interests intersect in the area of supporting young children’s engagement and participation in their home... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Danube (50)

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11:00am CDT

A Pediatric Summer Camp Model for Sensorimotor and Literacy, Parent Empowerment, and Experiential OT Education

Friday October 2, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Danube (50)

This mixed-methods study examines an integrated sensorimotor literacy summer camp designed to support pediatric outcomes, parent education, and occupational therapy (OT) student experiential learning. The camp combines evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the Science of Reading with pediatric OT frames of reference emphasizing bilateral coordination, midline crossing, fine motor, visual motor, and sensory integration skills that support reading and writing participation. The study has two primary aims: (1) to evaluate changes in parent confidence and self-efficacy in supporting literacy and sensorimotor development at home through structured parent education materials, and (2) to examine the impact of immersive experiential learning on OT graduate students’ clinical reasoning and application of pediatric OT frameworks in authentic contexts. Guided by Meyer’s (2025) experiential learning framework, data collection includes parent and student pre/post assessments, observational rubrics, and reflections. Findings aim to inform scalable, family-centered experiential education and intervention models.

Buenano, A., Warner, S., & Madsen, R. (2025). Student expectations vs. outcomes. Experiential Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.46787/elthe.v8i3 september.4675

Ben Dhia, A., Bucci, M. P., Naffeti, C., Ben Saad, H., Hammouda, O., & Driss. (2025). Combined cognitive and motor training improves reading, writing and motor coordination in dyslexic children. Pediatric Reports, 17(2), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric17020046

Macdonald, K., Milne, N., & Orr, R., (2020). Associations between motor proficiency and academic performance in mathematics and reading in year 1 school children: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatrics, 20(69). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-1967-8

Meyer, J. (2025). Mapping the landscape of experiential education. Experiential Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.46787/elthe.v8i3-september.5237

Milne N., Cacciotti K., Davies K., & Orr, R., (2018). The relationship between moto proficiency and reading ability in year 1 children: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatrics, 18(1), 249. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-018-1262-0

Speakers

Emily Paul, OTD, MOT, OTRL

Assistant Professor, Concordia University Ann Arbor

Dr. Emily Paul earned a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate from Chatham University in 2020, an MOT in Occupational Therapy in 2014 from Baker College of Graduate Studies, and a BS in Psychology from Kennesaw State University in 2001. She has practiced OT for 12 years... Read More →

Erin Laverick, Ph.D

Associate Vice President - Academic and Student Success, Professor, Concordia University Ann Arbor

Erin Laverick teaches classes for the English department and the School of Education. As an educator, she strives to create a safe and active learning environment in which students learn by doing. Her research focuses on first-year writing theory, visual literacy, and student suc... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Danube (50)

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1:00pm CDT

The OT Impact Loop: Connecting What We Do to Why It Matters

Friday October 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Danube (50)

This course introduces the “OT Impact Loop,” a practical framework that connects evaluation, intervention, documentation, patient education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transitions in care to measurable outcomes. Participants will explore how daily clinical decisions and documentation practices directly impact functional outcomes, public reporting through CMS’ Care Compare site, and reimbursement models such as value-based purchasing.
Designed for both OT students and experienced clinicians, this session blends real-world examples, audience interaction, and actionable strategies to help attendees strengthen clinical reasoning, enhance documentation, and clearly demonstrate the value of occupational therapy in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Attendees will leave with a renewed perspective on how everything they do contributes to patient success and the future of our profession.

Speakers

Kathy Claypool

Vice President of Clinical Education and Training, Ovation Rehabilitation Services

Kathy Claypool, OTR, MBA, RAC-CT, has been a clinician for more than 30 years including OT practice, clinical education, and executive leadership within the post-acute care environment. She has led multi-site therapy operations, advanced quality improvement initiatives, and developed... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Danube (50)

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2:15pm CDT

Creation and Implementation of an Adaptive Fishing Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Friday October 2, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT

Danube (50)

This presentation will discuss the development and implementation of the WMU Center for Disability Services Adaptive Fishing Program, an occupational therapy-based community recreation initiative designed to promote leisure participation and community engagement for individuals with disabilities. The session will review program development, adaptive fishing equipment, accessibility considerations, staff education, environmental modifications, and activity adaptation strategies used throughout the capstone experience. Attendees will learn how occupational therapy practitioners can facilitate meaningful participation in outdoor leisure occupations while addressing physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychosocial barriers. The presentation will also highlight the therapeutic benefits of adaptive recreation, including social participation, confidence, engagement, and quality of life. Practical recommendations for implementing similar adaptive recreation programs within community settings will be provided.

Speakers

William Johnson Herahon

William Johnson Herahon is a graduate of the Occupational Therapy
Doctorate (OTD) at Western Michigan University (WMU) and holds a
Bachelor of Arts of Psychology from Hope College. (At the time of this
proposal, he is eligible for board certification and will be scheduled for his
exa... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm CDT
Danube (50)