2026 Children & Youth Specialty Conference
Preconference sessions on December 3
In-Person
Earn Up to 10.75 contact hours
Questions? Email conference@aota.org
Turn the Latest Pediatric Evidence Into Everyday Practice
From infancy to young adulthood, AOTA’s Children & Youth Specialty Conference is designed to strengthen your pediatric occupational therapy practice. Join us in New Orleans this December 4-5 to learn new assessment, treatment, and collaboration ideas related to topics like sensory regulation, feeding difficulties, functional cognition, oculomotor development, neurodivergence, play, childhood trauma, socialization, sleep, screentime, and more. Earn up to 10.75 contact hours while connecting with OTs and OTAs who are passionate about pediatric care!
Register and book your hotel today
Register by November 4 for the lowest price!
Discounted hotel rooms available through November 11
Explore the program
Earn up to 10.75 contact hours
Exhibitors/Sponsors
Join us at the 2026 Children & Youth Specialty Conference
Stay updated
Use our graphics and #OTpeds on social media to invite your colleagues and stay up to date!
Keynote & Closing
The Decline of Play and the Rise of Dysregulation in Modern Childhood: Implications for Occupational Therapy Practice
Evidence suggests declining play opportunities may contribute to challenges in regulation, executive functioning, participate, etc. This session explores implications for occupational therapy practitioners and strategies to support play, a child's primary occupation.
Ensuring Client-Centered Care: Gaining the Child’s Perspective in the Occupational Therapy Process
In pediatric occupational therapy, caregivers often complete questionnaires on behalf of their child. This presentation explores strategies for including the child's perspective in the occupational therapy process while ensuring valid assessment practices alongside caregiver input.
AOTA resources
Browse AOTA resources about children and youth for use in your everyday practice.