2026 Children & Youth Specialty Conference Program
Program at a Glance
Keynote, Closing and Concurrent Sessions will be closed captioned.
Below is the conference schedule at a glance. More information about sessions can be found in the program guide (coming soon).
December 3, 2026
|
8:00 am- 5:00 pm |
Registration |
|
1:00 pm- 4:00 pm |
Pre-Conference Session #1 |
|
2:00 pm- 5:00 pm |
Pre-Conference Session #2 |
|
2:00 pm- 5:00 pm |
Exhibitor Setup |
December 4, 2026
|
8:00 am- 5:00 pm |
Registration and Exhibits |
|
8:00 am - 9:00 am |
Breakfast |
|
9:00 am - 9:45 am |
Keynote (see description below) |
|
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Concurrent 101 Concurrent 102 |
|
11:15 am - 12:15 pm |
Concurrent 103 Concurrent 104 |
|
2:00 pm -3:00 pm |
Concurrent 105 Concurrent 106 |
|
3:15 pm -4:15 pm |
Concurrent 107 Concurrent 108 |
|
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm |
Posters Conversations That Matter |
Keynote
The Decline of Play and the Rise of Dysregulation in Modern Childhood: Implications for Occupational Therapy Practice
Allie Newton, MS, OTR/L, Hands on Play Pediatric Therapy, Roanoke, VA
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.
December 5, 2026
|
8:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Registration |
|
8:00 am - 9:00 am |
Breakfast |
|
8:00 am - 2:00pm |
Exhibits |
|
9:00 am - 10:00 am |
Concurrent 201 Concurrent 202 |
|
10:15 am - 11:15 am |
Concurrent 203 Concurrent 204 |
|
11:30 am - 12:30 pm |
Concurrent 205 Concurrent 206 |
|
2:00 pm -3:00 pm |
Concurrent 207 Concurrent 208 |
|
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm |
Closing (see description below) |
Closing
Ensuring Client-Centered Care: Gaining the Child’s Perspective in the Occupational Therapy Process
Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, FAOTA, Piller Child Development, LLC, Phoenix, AZ; Cameron Miller
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.
