WA Occupational Therapy Association

AI in Business - 2026
2026-05-22 08:30 - 16:30 (Australia/Perth) | Pagoda Ballroom, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como, Western Australia, 6152, Australia
THIS COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
FRIDAY , 22nd May 2026 – 08:30 – 16:30

PRESENTED BY Alex Jenkins.
Introduction:
Join Alex Jenkins for an engaging session that delves into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Explore its evolution and understand different AI types, from chatbots to content creation tools. Learn to identify tasks AI can enhance, discover real-world business applications, and grasp the crucial balance of opportunities versus risks. Gain insights into safeguarding sensitive data, managing AI’s limitations, and mitigating deployment risks effectively. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to deepen your understanding, this program offers a comprehensive introduction to harnessing AI responsibly and innovatively.
Content and Learning outcomes:
The program will address the following topics:

AI’s Evolution: A Brief History Leading to Today’s Innovations
Understanding the different types of AI: Chatbots like ChatGPT, Image generation and other content creation tools
Spotting tasks and problems that can be solved with AI
Real-World Applications of Generative AI in Business
Understanding risks and limitations of AI inside the workplace
Data Privacy and controls: keeping sensitive and personal data safe
Risk Management in AI Deployment: Identifying and Mitigating Threats

About the Presenter :-
Alex Jenkins is the Director of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH), also, Chair and founder of the Curtin AI in Research Group. With an extensive background in AI, Alex is dedicated to advancing the use of AI across Australian business, academia, and the public sector. His work emphasizes leveraging AI to enhance education and improve lives, driving innovation and practical applications in diverse sectors. Alex is committed to ensuring that Australia remains at the forefront of AI adoption, elevating WADSIH to a national thought leader in AI and fostering collaboration to promote AI’s transformative potential for societal benefit. He is also known for his impactful TEDx talk, “An AI Tutor for Every Child,” highlighting the potential of AI in revolutionizing education.

Date
Friday May 22nd 2026
08:30 – 16:30

Venue
Pagoda Conference Room, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como

Cost
Early bird before 22/3/26

Member – $300.00

Rural/remote member or student – $300.00

Non-members – $654.00

Standard rate after 22/3/26

Member – $360.00

Rural/remote member or student – $300.00

Non-members – $654.00

Refreshments
Welcome Tea/Coffee, Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

Book online

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 2026
2026-06-05 08:30 - 16:30
THIS COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
THINKING AND PERFORMANCE:
CBT FOR THERAPISTS AND THEIR CLIENTS
FRIDAY 5th JUNE, 2026 – 8:30 – 16:30
PRESENTED BY KALEAH EPIS
COURSE CONTENT
On completion, therapists will be able to:

Understand the role of thinking and motivation to client engagement
Understand the progression of behaviour; cognitive-behaviour and Mindfulness Based Cognitive therapies.
Understand the interaction of thinking, emotions and behaviours and their impact on therapeutic engagement and function
Understand and apply schema based approaches across diagnoses (paediatric, mental health, pain management, aged-care, vocational rehabilitation and family systems approaches)
Problem solve client engagement and resistance
Apply CBT techniques to own practice area
Apply CBT techniques to trauma informed care
Utilise CBT for own self management and reflective practitioner outcomes

The course will be delivered in a practical, small group interactive manner with demonstrations and handouts provided to utilise with clients.
Target audience is OT’s in all practice areas, including those needing CBT training to be registered for BAMH; mental health, pain management, vocational rehabilitation, paediatrics and family systems approaches, aged care, trauma informed care and complex clients. Content will also be approachable for disciplines of social work, speech pathology, dietetics, exercise physiology and physiotherapy.
This course is open to all allied health professionals.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Kaleah has over 15 years of clinical experience as an OT in mental health ranging from previous experience in hospital settings (open and secure units) to now owning and operating a private mental health practice for 9 years, registered under the BAMH program. She is a Credentialed Eating Disorders Clinician (CEDC) and currently provides services to clients ranging from 10 years to 65 years old, in relation to mental health diagnoses, eating disorders, trauma informed care, pain management and occupational re-engagement.
Kaleah has also been a sessional lecturer, tutor and unit coordinator for Edith Cowan University teaching in Neuroscience, Neuropsychiatry, and Clinical Science. She also wrote, unit coordinated and delivered the “Mental Health for Physiotherapy Students” in the ECU Masters of Physiotherapy course.
Kaleah was also the “mood management” package creator at the Inter-professional Ambulatory Care Program (IpAC) Unit, and OT Clinical Supervisor, delivering inter-professional best practice services with a team of Nurses, Dieticians, Exercise Physiologists, Speech Pathologists, Psychologists and Paramedic staff.
Her private practice role has included being a Clinical Supervisor for a community AOD program, liaison role with WA Primary Health Network, GP education and advocacy of OT role and working in-house at local GP clinics, school based education sessions, parenting courses, and OT supervisor and Mentor Role.

Date
Friday June 5th, 2026
08:30 – 16:30

Venue
Pagoda Conference Room, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como

Cost

Early bird before 5/4/26

Member – $300.00

Rural/remote member or student – $300.00

Non-members – $654.00

Standard rate after 5/4/26

Member – $360.00

Rural/remote member or student – $300.00

Non-members – $654.00

Refreshments
Welcome Tea/Coffee, Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

Book online

Taking the Coaching Approach 2026
2026-06-12 08:30 - 16:30
THIS COURSE IS OPEN TO ALL ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
FRIDAY JUNE 12th
Presented by – Graham Taylor.

Workshop Outline:

The ‘Taking a coaching approach’ workshop offers an additional developmental tool for those who work directly with people. It is built on a style of communication and motivation aimed at unlocking a person’s potential to maximise their performance. Rather than ‘telling, directing and instructing’ the coaching approach aims at developing internal or self motivation, aiming at the ‘inner person’ rather than at external motivators. The workshop’s goal is to help a person learn rather than teaching them.

The workshop will provide coaching principles and processes and practice sessions to consolidate within people helpers a methodology that taps into the potential that exists within the client or patient. The methodology focuses on questions that raise awareness (what is happening around the client or patient); raise self-awareness (what they are experiencing personally) and raise responsibility (take responsibility for their actions and increasing ownership and accountability).

Practical coaching principles and processes are demonstrated, elaborated and practiced during the workshop.

A full set of support notes are provided for each participant that covers the principles, processes and the listening and speaking of the coaching approach.

Target Audience

Open to all allied health professionals

The coaching approach can be applied to any, and all, human interaction. It is particularly relevant to those OTs engaged in people helping, people management, people leadership, people development and people care.

Session One: Defining Coaching and the coaching approach

· What is coaching?

· Coaching demonstration and debrief

· Distinctions between professional roles (mentoring, consultant, manager, therapy, counselling )

· Listening as a coach – listening ‘to’, ‘though’, ‘just’ and the 3 ‘A’s of listening

Session Two: Coaching with the GROW Model

· Introduction to the GROW model

· Working with the GROW coaching questions

· Coaching practice and debrief

Session Three: Facilitating a Coaching Conversation

· Speaking with clear intention

· What makes a good coaching question?

· Genuine inquiry and unattached advocacy

Session Four: Further Practice Facilitating a Coaching Conversation

· Coaching practice

· Debrief and highlight learning applicable to the OT role

About the Presenter:

Graham has spent the past 51 years of his life encouraging, supporting, and developing people in leadership and management roles.

Graham has had extensive experience in the Training and Development field, including initially being instrumental in developing strategic training and development for Youth Workers and young people, then, moving into the management and development consultancy field having three interrelated arms or services: Leadership development, Coaching and Facilitation services and a Training arm.

Graham has designed and facilitated the program “Taking the coaching approach” and it has been used extensively in Saint John of God Health Care hospitals and facilities across Australia in the WA Health Department, including WA Country Health (WACHS).

Taking the coaching approach

Date
Friday June 12th, 2026
08:30 – 16:30

Venue
Pagoda Conference Room, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como

Cost

Early bird before 12/4/26

Member – $300.00

Rural/remote member or student – $300.00

Non-members – $654.00

Standard rate after 12/4/26

Member – $360.00

Rural/remote member or student – $300.00

Non-members – $654.00

Refreshments
Welcome Tea/Coffee, Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

Book online

Understanding Autism
2026-07-03 08:00 - 17:00
Presented by Cassandra Dunn and Amy Buckingham
Friday July 3rd, 2026
Course content :-
This course is designed for Occupational therapists and Occupational therapy students wanting to develop their understanding of autism to improve their provision of therapeutic support for autistic people. It will provide a framework for understanding autism, and practical strategies for adapting the framework to meet the individual strengths and support needs of each person with autism.
This course will provide you with a brief overview of the national bodies driving change for a more optimistic future for autistic people. Linkages will be made with the National Autism Strategy specifically in relation to intersectionality and priority cohorts to ensure that the diversity within the autistic population is considered in the support that we provide.
WAOTA is pleased to collaborate with the Autism Association of Western Australia to provide this course which will be presented by Occupational Therapists working directly with Autism Association of Western Australia
About the Presenters :-
Cassandra Dunn
Manager – Early Childhood (Therapy & Clinical Services) – Autism Association of WA
Cassie Dunn is an occupational therapist with extensive experience working in paediatrics. Her roles have involved supporting young Autistic children and their families across private practice and not-for-profit settings. She currently works as the Manager of Early Intervention services at the Autism Association of Western Australia. Cassie is deeply passionate about play-based, child-led therapy that celebrates each child’s strengths. Grounded in family-centred practice, she is driven by the belief that every child deserves the best possible start in life. Cassie embraces a holistic approach that empowers each child to thrive in their everyday roles as players, friends and learners.
Amy Buckingham
Program Leader | Senior Occupational Therapist | Behaviour Support Practitioner – Autism Association of WA
Amy Buckingham is a Program Leader working in Therapy and Clinical Services with the Autism Association of WA. Amy has been a practicing Occupational Therapist for more than eight years, working exclusively with autistic clients since 2019.
She has worked across both paediatric and adult therapy services, providing direct therapy with individuals, group-based programs and consultative support. Amy works from a transdisciplinary and collaborative model, working closely with families, other NDIS or health-care providers, employers, schools and higher-education settings.
She currently works with adult clients who have a range of support needs. From clients with high support needs requiring full-time living assistance through to clients that live with independence in the community and maintain full-time work roles. She is experienced in bringing a wholistic and person-centered approach to therapy assessment, goal setting and intervention planning for autistic people.
Amy has also undertaken further professional development in the areas of mealtime support and Positive Behaviour Support. She previously worked within the Autism Association’s specialist mealtime team and is currently a registered Behaviour Support Practitioner.
In her current role, Amy balances her clinical work as an OT and Behaviour Support Practitioner with clinical mentoring and management support for other therapists and practitioners. She delivers training and supervision for clinical staff, as well as autism-specific training and workshops.

Understanding Autism

Date
Friday July 3rd, 2026
08:30 – 17:00

Venue
Pagoda Conference Room, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como

Cost

Early bird before 3/5/26
Member – $300.00
Rural/remote member or student -$300.00
Non-members – $654.00
Standard rate after 3/5/26
Member – $360.00
Rural/remote member or student -$300.00
Non-members – $654.00

Refreshments
Welcome Tea/Coffee, Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

Book Online

Self Regulation 2026
2026-08-21 08:30 - 16:30
Presented by Kate Keisler
Self regulation is a skill everyone needs to thrive across all ages. It is a common occupational therapy goal for occupational therapists working with children and families, with widely varied research. It is an essential skill for development, and something that can impact every area of our life, at every point. Yet there are such different views of what it actually is, and how to develop self regulation.
This workshop comes from a lens supporting children, families and adults around children to learn self regulation, however the concepts and models are applicable across ages. Here are some of the topics that we will cover in this workshop:

What is self-regulation? Looking into the differing definitions and perceptions of self regulation in practice, and society. Self-regulation can be an ambiguous topic so we will go through some of the fields of thought, and the evidence behind these, to delve into what self-regulation actually is.
An overview of self regulation frameworks and tools, and the evidence behind these.
Developing self regulation: assessment and intervention approaches for practice.

About the Presenter :-
Kate Keisler is an Occupational Therapist who started Calm and Connected in July 2014 to focus on kids with social, emotional and sensory difficulties. She found that these children were often labelled as ‘naughty’, rather than their actions meaning that they needed more help. Kate is passionate about giving parents and teachers the knowledge and strategies to support their child. It is often that kids just need to be understood, parents feel empowered and small practical ideas given to allow kids to feel safe and supported in their own bodies.
Kate has travelled to Melbourne and Sydney for training and mentorship. She has attended courses from leading Occupational Therapists from all over the world. There is always so much more to learn! Kate is passionate about bringing this knowledge to Perth through hosting clinical leaders in Perth and running regular training for therapists.Kate believes in developing the understanding of Occupational Therapists working in Paediatrics in Perth to provide a high-quality clinical service to families.

Self Regulation

Date
Friday August 21st, 2026
08:30 – 16:30

Venue
Pagoda Conference Room, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como

Cost

Early bird rate before 21/6/26
Member $300
Rural/remote member or Student $300
Non-Member $654
Standard rate after 21/6/26
Member $360
Rural/remote member or Student $300
Non-members $654

Book Online

Introduction to Sleep (2026)
2026-08-28 08:00 - 17:00
FRIDAY 28th August, 2026 – 09:00 – 17:00

PRESENTED BY SUE MCCABE

Course outline:-

This introductory course is targeted to OTs working across all sectors (all conditions, all age groups). The aim of the course is to provide evidence-based information about sleep and circadian science, translated through the OT lens for practical and individualised application to all client settings.

This course will cover

· the importance of sleep and circadian health

· how sleep works, sleep disorders, general resources for sleep support

· practical approaches to sleep assessment in the home setting

· practical strategies to promote sleep in everyday living

· practical resources (information, equipment, people) that are fundamental to individualised sleep support, and safety

Using the ‘SleepLinks’ Sleep Comfort Map’ as a guide, we will cover assessment, information, and equipment resources for

· health and medical comfort

· activities and routines comfort

· sleep setting comfort

· thermal comfort

· sensory comfort

· social-emotional-communication comfort

· position and movement comfort

The course provides opportunity to learn why sleep and circadian health is a fundamental concern for all OTs, and how it is ‘all about everything’, our physical and mental health, activities, environments, personal factors. Client stories will be presented that illustrate the individualised and collaborative approach that underpins the OT approach to sleep support. Information will be provided about practical strategies and resources for contextual assessment and sleep support. There will be hands-on demonstration of equipment options to support sensory comfort, thermal comfort, body position support, mobility and safety for sleep. With the OT lens, there is opportunity to learn that ‘Comfort’ means, what is just right, for each person and their family or caregivers; and that ‘Safety’ is about their medical safety, physical safety and social-emotional safety.

About the presenter:

Sue McCabe (BSc, MSc, PhD) is the provider of SleepLinks occupational therapy service in Perth. She has worked as an occupational therapist for over 40 years in Perth, NT and the UK and has clinical background in rehabilitation, community and customised-equipment settings. She has worked with people of all ages with developmental, neurological, neuro-motor and musculo-skeletal conditions.

For 20+ years, her focus has been on sleep and circadian health. Sue has recognised the impact of poor sleep on the health, wellbeing and participation of people with disabilities, including physical and mental health conditions (and their families). Spending time learning about the complex and diverse factors of concern. Sue received a Churchill Fellowship in 2006, visiting UK and Canada to learn from expert clinicians and researchers. She completed PhD studies in 2019, with research focus on the multiple factors affecting sleep of children with cerebral palsy, and on understanding thermoregulation during sleep. Sue’s expertise and learning is most importantly through her contact with the 100s of clients and families, describing their unique sleep difficulties and the effects on their everyday lives. Her work is enhanced by ongoing collaboration with colleagues across Perth, Australia and internationally. Her particular passion is the importance

of strong sleep knowledge for OTs, within the context of circadian health, the 24-hour rhythms which are so fundamental to all aspects of mental and physical health, function and participation.

Introduction to Sleep

Date
Friday August 28th, 2026
09:00 – 17:00

Venue
Pagoda Conference Room, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como

Cost

Early bird before 28/6/26
Member $300.00
Rural/remote member/Student $300.00
Non-members $654.00
Standard rate after 28/6/26
Member $360.00
Rural/remote member/Student $300.00
Non-members $654.00

Book online

OT-Me-Hybrid Service Delivery in Paediatric Occupational Therapy
2026-11-06 08:00 - 17:00
Presented by Stephanie Clarke
Friday November 6th, 2026
About the Course :-
This one-day professional development course explores the foundations of paediatric occupational therapy practice alongside emerging hybrid models of care that combine traditional therapy with digital tools to improve productivity, efficiency and access to services.
The course emphasises working holistically with the child within their natural environments and highlights the importance of understanding family dynamics, empowering parents and caregivers, and supporting neurodiverse families through collaborative, strengths-based approaches.
Participants will explore how occupational therapists can work effectively with families, teachers and the multidisciplinary team to create coherent care across home, school and community settings. The course will also introduce practical examples of hybrid service delivery, demonstrating how digital tools can support assessment, therapy planning, goal tracking, communication with families and teachers, and ongoing intervention between sessions. Case examples and practical discussion will illustrate how hybrid models can enhance continuity of care, increase access for families, and support therapists to deliver coordinated, evidence-informed paediatric services.
Course materials will include practical frameworks, example workflows and strategies for implementing hybrid paediatric practice in clinic, school and community contexts. The course is designed for occupational therapists, new graduates and clinicians seeking to strengthen foundational paediatric practice while learning how hybrid care models can support neurodiverse children and their families.
About the Presenter :-
Stephanie is an occupational therapist with 14 years experience providing assessment and intervention for children with developmental delay, autism, ADHD and sensory processing differences across clinic, school and community environments. She works collaboratively with families, teachers and multidisciplinary teams to support participation, emotional regulation, executive functioning and daily living skills.
Stephanie is the founder of a digital health and occupational therapy innovation company developing scalable, evidence-informed tools to support children, families, clinicians and schools. Leads the design and clinical governance of the OT-Me. digital platform ecosystem, integrating occupational therapy frameworks with technology to improve access to early intervention and therapy supports. Current projects include OT-Me. for parents. Teachers and clinicians, OT-Me. Learn for occupational therapy students and new graduates (“a mentor in your pocket”), and OT-Me. Daily Quests, with a native mobile app currently in development. Stephanie also manages partnerships with clinicians, educators and technology developers to expand access to therapy tools across community, school and remote settings. She participated in the Plus Eight startup accelerator program and has presented internationally at the OT Show in Birmingham on innovation in occupational therapy.
Stephanie is also currently undertaking doctoral research (PhD) at Edith Cowan University exploring digital occupational therapy tools and models that improve access to therapy and support outcomes for children and families.

OT-Me-Hybrid Service Delivery in Paediatric Occupational Therapy

Date
Friday November 6th, 2026
09:00 – 17:00

Venue
Pagoda Conference Room, Pagoda Resort, 112 Melville Parade, Como

Cost

Early bird before 6/9/26
Member $300.00
Student $300.00
Rural/remote member $300.00
Non-members $654.00
Standard rate after 6/9/26
Member $360.00
Student $300.00
Rural/remote member $300.00
Non-members $654.00

Book Online
