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Hot Topic Webinars

Here is a collection of on-demand webinars related to occupational therapy.

Regulation as Occupation: Evidence-Informed Strategies for Supporting Children with Trauma.

This session explored how occupational therapists can champion trauma-informed and resilience-building practices for children and youth impacted by adversity. Drawing from the foundations of mental health and the sensory processing framework, participants learned strategies for promoting regulation, safety, and connection in therapeutic and educational settings. The presentation highlighted the integration of sensory-based interventions within a trauma-informed lens, emphasizing predictability, empowerment, and choice to support participation and engagement.

Attendees gained tools for fostering resilience by embedding sensory supports within daily routines and environments to enhance self-regulation and emotional well-being. Through case studies and discussion, the session connected current evidence with practical application, aligning with the growing call for school-based and community OTs to address mental health across tiers of service delivery. Participants left with actionable strategies to design safe, supportive, and healing environments that help children move from surviving to thriving.

From Caseload to Workload: Redefining OT Practice with MTSS

This presentation focused on how OTs, as Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP), could shift from a caseload to a workload approach. Aligned with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), OTs supported all students by building buy-in through communication and shared ownership across professional support teams at the building level. Participants learned strategies for engaging school staff and administrators in understanding the OT’s role beyond direct services to students on IEPs, as well as ideas for starting small and expanding techniques that use the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework to increase collaboration and co-teaching in classrooms.

Hot Topic in Healthcare: Expecting the Unexpected: What Nobody Tells You About Postpartum Care

Through a panel discussion, participants deepened their understanding of the mental, physical, and emotional well-being needs of birthing people and their partners during the postpartum period (up to one year). The panel examined the often-overlooked realities of the postpartum period through the lens of perinatal care professionals who work directly with families in the first critical weeks after childbirth. Centering both patient and partner experiences, the panel sparked dialogue among healthcare providers about how to close gaps in postpartum care and build more resilient and collaborative systems of support.

Hot Topic in Healthcare: Rethink Your Age

Using her sharp wit and real-world examples, Tracey Gendron, MS, PhD, transforms decades of research about age discrimination into a thought-provoking and often humorous conversation and provides actionable steps toward overcoming ageism within ourselves, our communities, our policies, and our culture.

Join expert occupational therapist Dr. Donna J. Smith as she explores the powerful role OT practitioners play in movement break training for teachers. With 20+ years of experience in sensory-focused early intervention and school-based OT services for children ages 3–21, Dr. Smith offers a brain-based approach to integrating movement breaks in the classroom.

During this Hot Topic webinar, Dr. Tessann Merkel explores how occupational therapy practitioners can play a vital role in supporting infant feeding and lactation. With expertise as a certified breastfeeding specialist, early intervention therapist, and registered yoga teacher, Dr. Merkel brings a holistic and empowering perspective to maternal and infant health. Discover practical strategies, emerging research, and advocacy insights that illuminate OT's impact in this growing area of practice.

This webinar featuring Dr. Audrie A. Vantangoli, MOT, OTD, OTR/L, explores how trauma-informed sensory integration training can empower educators and improve classroom behavior. This webinar highlighted the pivotal role occupational therapists play in supporting teacher preparedness and promoting neuro-affirming learning environments. Learn how targeted sensory strategies can prevent maladaptive behaviors and enhance academic participation, especially in the post-COVID-19 classroom.

This Hot Topics webinar on School-Based Occupational Therapists’ Roles in Supporting Transitions discusses a vital skill for ensuring equitable services for children with high-intensity needs. Learn how OTs can play a key role in fostering smooth, effective transitions that promote student success and access to essential support. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and enhance your impact!

Hot Topics in Healthcare: Why Design Matters in Healthcare

Effective graphic design helps communicate complex medical information clearly, builds trust with patients and providers, and encourages action through compelling visuals. In this session, we’ll explore how thoughtful design can drive better outcomes by focusing on three key objectives.

During this webinar hosted by Bay Path University, Karla Ehlers, OTR/L, MOT, PCES, explored the foundations of pelvic health care and its impact on daily occupations. Gain valuable insights into: The role of OTs in pelvic health across diverse clinical settings. Understanding common pelvic health diagnoses. The connection between pelvic floor health and functional daily activities.

In this engaging session, Elizabeth A. Dixon, OTD, MS Ed, OTR/L, guided participants through the foundational principles of advocacy, offering practical strategies to navigate challenges, collaborate with stakeholders, and promote inclusive educational environments.

In this Hot Topics in Healthcare series, presented by Dr. Nicole Newell G'24, Dr. Newell addressed how occupational therapy practitioners uniquely support mental health in schools due to their specialized skills. Positive mental health and well-being help children and youth function better in academic and non-academic settings. These objectives aim to build a comprehensive understanding of how school-based occupational therapy practitioners can support student mental health within educational systems.

In this Hot Topics in Healthcare series hosted by Bay Path University's post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, Hayley Chrastowski, OTD, OTR/L, CEIM, and Jessica Peterson, OTD, OTR, CLC, PMH-C, co-founders of Maternal Health OT explore the emerging practice area of occupational therapy in maternal health and the practitioner's role during the perinatal period and motherhood. This presentation reviews occupations and common needs for support from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

In this Hot Topics in Healthcare series hosted by Bay Path University's post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, Sarah Selvaggi Hernandez (she/they), author and owner of Living Sensory Occupational Therapy LLC, explores sex as an occupation; motor, sensory, and regulation considerations for intimacy and connection; sexual orientation and the gender spectrum; and reproductive justice.

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Anastasia Spremulli

Director of Graduate Admissions

413.216.2804 aspremulli@baypath.edu www.baypath.edu

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