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

Crossing professions, the transdisciplinary nature of the CTAC Trauma Screening Checklist.

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

The Child Trauma Assessment Center-Trauma Screening Checklist (CTAC-TSC) will be introduced and discussed. This screen has been used in several states and across an array of child-caring systems (e.g. courts, schools, child welfare, CMH). This presentation highlights the critical role of trauma screening in practice and its utility in supporting shared decision-making across social work and occupational therapy contexts. Emphasis will be placed on how early identification of trauma can reduce the risk of re-traumatization while promoting resilience and participation in daily occupations. Strategies will be shared for transdisciplinary intervention planning informed by both social work and occupational therapy perspectives. Findings will be shared from the CTAC-TSC and Sensory Profile 2 to illustrate the link between trauma exposure and sensory processing needs.

By the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to:

Describe key concepts, including trauma, complex trauma, and transdisciplinary practice.
Explain the utility of the CTAC-TSC and interpret potential functional and clinical outcomes based on screening results.
Apply information from the trauma screen to inform case planning, intervention approaches, and clinical workflow.
Adapt language and conceptual thinking to incorporate and apply knowledge from other disciplines.

Atchison, B. & Suarez, M. (2017). Interprofessional Practice and Education: Multiple Lenses Bring a Sharper Focus. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 5(3), 1. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1434
Bloom, S. (2023). A biocratic paradigm: Exploring the complexity of trauma-informed leadership and creating presence and trade. Behavioral Sciences. 13(5), 355. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13050355
Cook, A., Spinazzola, J., Ford, J., Lanktree, C., Blaustein, M., Cloitre, M., DeRosa, R., Hubbard, R., Kagan, R., Liautaud, J., Mallah, K., Olafson, E., van der Kolk, B. (2005). Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35(5), 390-398. https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20050501-05
Fraser, K., MacKenzie, D., & Versnel, J. (2019). What is the Current State of Occupational Therapy Practice with Children and Adolescents with Complex Trauma? Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 35(4), 317–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2019.1652132
Henry, J., Black-Pond, C., & Richardson, M. (2016). CTAC trauma screening checklist ages 6-18. Retrieved https://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u354/2017/Trauma%20Screening%20Checklist%206-18%20revised%203-2016.pdf
Henry, J., Richardson, M., Black-Pond, C., Sloane, M., Atchison, B., Hyter, Y., & Mack, A. (2012). Trauma informed assessment. In W. Steele & C. Malchiodi (Eds.) Trauma-informed practices with children and adolescents. (pp. 23-48). Routledge
Kagan, R., Pressley, J., Espinoza, R., Lanktree, C., Henry, J., Knoverek, A., Duffy, S., Labruna, V., Habib, M., Blaustein, M. E., & Spinazzola, J. (2023). Development of a differential assessment guide to improve engagement with youths & families living with chronic trauma. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 16(1), 145–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00479-w
Morkut, B. & Atchison, B. (2023). Complex Trauma. In B. Atchison & D. Dirette (Eds.) Conditions in occupational therapy: Effect on occupational performance. (pp. 268-285). Wolters Kluwer.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (n.d.a) Complex Trauma. https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma
National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (n.d.b) Screening and Assessment. https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma/screening-and-assessment
Schore, A. (2025). The right brain and the origin of human nature. Norton Professional Books.
Sell, K., Hommes, F., Fischer, F., & Arnold, L. (2022). Multi-, Inter-, and Transdisciplinarity within the public health workforce: A scoping review to assess definitions and applications of concepts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 10902. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710902
Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35(5), 390-398. https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20050501-05

Speakers

Bryan Warner, LMSW

FASTER Program Clinical Social Worker and Instructor, Western Michigan University School of Social Work

Bryan Warner, LMSW is a clinical social worker for Western Michigan University (WMU) FASTER Program and an Instructor at WMU School of Social Work. He has over 20 years’ experience working with children and families from diverse populations across multiple facets of the child... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Danube (50)

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11:00am CDT

Advancing Multidisciplinary care: the role and impact of occupational therapy in ALS clinics

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Danube (50)

This session will explore OT's role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) multidisciplinary care, highlighting why OT is essential to addressing the complex needs of individuals with neurodegenerative conditions through collaborative, evidence-based practice.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the disease process, clinical presentation, and progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Identify the key roles within a multidisciplinary ALS clinic and explain how occupational therapy fits within this collaborative care model.
Explain primary interventions and strategies used by occupational therapists to support individuals with ALS across different stages of the disease

References:

The ALS Association. (n.d.). Stages of ALS. https://www.als.org/understanding-als/stages
The ALS Association. (n.d.). Symptoms and diagnosis. https://www.als.org/understanding-als/symptoms-diagnosis
The ALS Association. (n.d.). Therapies and care. https://www.als.org/navigating-als/living-with-als/therapies-care
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (n.d.). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als
Traxinger K, Kelly C, Johnson BA, Lyles RH, Glass JD. Prognosis and epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Analysis of a clinic population, 1997-2011. Neurol Clin Pract. 2013 Aug;3(4):313-320. doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0b013e3182a1b8ab. PMID: 24195020; PMCID: PMC3787117.
Chiò A, Logroscino G, Hardiman O, Swingler R, Mitchell D, Beghi E, Traynor BG; Eurals Consortium. Prognostic factors in ALS: A critical review. Amyotroph Lateral Scler. 2009 Oct-Dec;10(5-6):310-23. doi: 10.3109/17482960802566824. PMID: 19922118; PMCID: PMC3515205.
Chen A, Montes J, Mitsumoto H. The role of exercise in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2008 Aug;19(3):545-57, ix-x. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2008.02.003. PMID: 18625415.
Tsitkanou, S., Della Gatta, P., Foletta, V., & Russell, A. (2019). The role of exercise as a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Beneficial or detrimental? Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 783. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00783

Speakers

Katelyn Gundry

Occupational Therapist, Henry Ford Hospital

Katelyn Danielle Gundry, MS, OTR/L I graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I later attended Western Michigan University and graduated with my Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. I have dedicated my entire career to acute care with a focus/specialization in neurolo... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Danube (50)

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1:00pm CDT

Digital Device usage in Older Adults: Best Practices for the OT Practitioner

Saturday October 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Danube (50)

The use of technology is highly integrated into many aspects of daily life, habits, routines and occupational engagement. Obtaining skills for technology use has become a necessity for older adults in order to navigate areas such as finances, communication needs and health management. The Occupational Therapy department at Eastern Michigan University collaborated and created a digital literacy training program for older adults within Washtenaw County with the primary goals of: (1) decreasing the technology access barrier among older adults living within the community, (2) increasing proficiency surrounding technology use in order to facilitate aging in place and improve self efficacy, (3) build relationships among intergenerational connectedness. A critical aspect that is addressed includes how to train older adults to interact with technology in a safe and efficient manner. We designed a classroom style curriculum in which we deliver a 10-week, 1 time per week structured course in order for our participants to gain knowledge in how to navigate technology devices as well as internet-based usage. Data was collected using a subjective survey as well as a self-efficacy scale prior to and upon completion of the course which has guided the design of our curriculum. During this workshop, best practices in design, approach, modifications and delivery will be discussed in order to advance the role of occupational therapists with older adults in the area of technology use. This workshop will also discuss the impact of participating in this type of program on young adult tech coaches from a graduate student, individual clinical skill and inter-professional perspective.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to apply concepts used within a group learning environment that facilitates full and meaningful participation of utilizing new technology devices.
At the conclusion of the session, participants will recognize advantageous suggestions for practitioners addressing needs for older adults within a virtual context
At the conclusion of the session, participants will gain knowledge regarding approaches to designing materials and media that facilitates learning in older adult populations.

References:

Ryd, C., Malinowsky, C., Öhman, A., Kottorp, A., & Nygård, L. (2018). Older adults' experiences of daily life occupations as everyday technology changes. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81(10), 601–608. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022618774525
Mitzner, T.L. et al. (2010). Older adults talk technology: Technology usage and attitudes. Computer in Human Behavior, 26,

Speakers

Alicia Jones

Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University

Alicia Jones is an associate professor in Eastern Michigan University's Occupational Therapy Program and has been a practicing clinician since 2013. She graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy and a PhD... Read More →

Saturday October 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Danube (50)

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