Animals in helping roles is a notion that has been around for decades, however the recent increase in anecdotal stories portrayed through the media has resulted in an increase need for animal-assisted services. This workshop aims to give participants an understanding of the differences between an assistive animal, therapy animal, and companion (pet) animal; as well as the occupational considerations required to support their use with clients. This workshop is suitable for Occupational Therapists

This 4 day workshop will provide participants with skills/knowledge with regard to intervention using the PRPP (attendance at a PRPP Assessment workshop is a prerequisite). The Perceive: Recall: Plan and Perform System (PRPP) is a process-oriented, criterion referenced assessment that employs task analysis methods to determine problems with cognitive information processing component function during routine, task or subtask performance. The PRPP System is for use with adults and children who have difficulty performing daily tasks. It is suitable for adults and children of either sex and from any cultural background.

This 5 day workshop will provide participants with skills/knowledge with regard to  assessment using the PRPP, as well as a basic introduction to intervention. The Perceive: Recall: Plan and Perform System (PRPP) is a process-oriented, criterion referenced assessment that employs task analysis methods to determine problems with cognitive information processing component function during routine, task or subtask performance. The PRPP System is for use with adults and children who have difficulty performing daily tasks. It is suitable for adults and children of either sex and from any cultural background

The transition from child to young adult brings much change and a few challenges for many individuals and their families. A cognitive or atypical neurodevelopmental disability (intellectual disability, ASD, acquired brain injury) comes with the addition of social communication difficulties, sensory differences and increased anxiety which can add further complexity to assisting individuals learn about the key changes that take place during puberty. Children with an atypical neurodevelopmental disability may need a more individualised plan of support to adjust to the changes that happen in puberty. Health professionals can provide support to individual’s and their families/carers in planning for and navigating these conversations.

Poor handwriting and fine motor skill development is often a primary reason for referral to Occupational Therapy, with many factors affecting a student’s handwriting performance. Through the extensive use of case studies, this two-day workshop will assist occupational therapists to explore ways they can work more effectively to assist emergent writers and those in later years with handwriting challenges.

Self- regulation is a learned, developmental skill and is a key building block which underpins a child’s ability to mature emotionally, cognitively and socially. It directly influences a child’s occupational performance in self-care, academic and social participation. Increasingly, occupational therapists are asked to provide an understanding of challenges to self-regulation experienced by children and offer suggestions for strategies which may enhance their participation across the tasks they want and need to do.

This online module is suitable for occupational therapists/speech pathologist who have attended a Developing Pretend Play Skills in Children Assessment and intervention workshop; and consider pretend play skills intervention as part of their professional “tool kit” and are wanting to further enhance their knowledge and skills in this area. 

This interactive workshop will provide clinicians already familiar with OPC, an opportunity to practice and develop their coaching skills. In small and large group practices, and with a standardised patient, participants will  self-assess and be provided feedback on their alignment with OPC fidelity measures.

Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) is an intervention which is family- and occupation-centred, enablement-focused and research informed. OPC involves working alongside parents to achieve parents’ goals for themselves, their children and/or their families.