![Diverse group of people talking a selfie in front of a white brick wall](/-/media/aota-images/membership/diverse-group-of-happy-people-networking-students.jpg?cx=0.42&cy=0.51&cw=850&ch=484&hash=A7AB4F12F7BF3FE8E2C11807F130D4D9)
Social learning through AOTA's Communities of Practice
Our Communities of Practice (CoPs) allow you a powerful way to network and learn through a social environment. Housed under the Special Interest Sections, CoPs enable rich, topic-focused discussion related to your professional passion.
![Two women talking holding tablets while walking down school hallway](/-/media/aota-images/community/diverse-women-ots-talking-inside-school-hallway-community.jpg?cx=0.44&cy=0.58&cw=658&ch=512&hash=DA35DFE361139341AAC0D1E87B08B1CF)
Discover more in the Community of Practice Manual
The Communities of Practice manual provides an overview of the purpose and procedures underlying our vibrant network of communities. Contact us to learn more about CoPs and to access a current version of the manual.
Our Communities of Practice
![Older woman sitting at table with open laptop reading paperwork](/-/media/aota-images/career/senior-woman-on-computer-continuing-education-career-advancement.jpg?cx=0.6&cy=0.45&cw=650&ch=410&hash=7CA32491A9B5F57E56440CF7437CC03E)
Academic Admissions Community of Practice
Enhances the capacity, knowledge and professional development of admissions professionals at all levels of OT and OTA education, encompassing all institutional types. This CoP is housed under the Academic Education Special Interest Section.
![An athlete rides a wave on his stomach, arms outstretched and smiling, with his surf therapist riding behind him.](/-/media/corporate/images/publication-news/publication/otp/february-2023/ridingthewave0223-490x251-3.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=E4A406726FE9D0BCD39214A2FC3B9B1E)
Adaptive Sports Community of Practice
The purpose of this Adaptive Sports and Leisure CoP is to create a social learning community where OT practitioners can network and share stories of best practice techniques to help advance participation in adaptive sports and leisure for diverse clients and cultures across the lifespan. This CoP is housed under the Rehabilitation and Disability Special Interest Section.
![Five smiling kids at swim practice in pool wearing goggles and swim caps](/-/media/aota-images/practice/diverse-group-of-kids-on-a-swim-team-children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0.51&cy=0.45&cw=650&ch=410&hash=D4E6665F3D5103F250FFB8BE36570DD1)
Aquatic Occupational Therapy Community of Practice
Connects members wishing to explore occupational therapy’s role in water related activities including aquatic safety, swim skills, drowning prevention, self care, motor skills, social participation, parent education, advocacy, lifelong recreation and leisure, and more. This CoP is housed under the Children and Youth Special Interest Section.
![Woman helping young boy learn how to tie laces](/-/media/aota-images/practice/occupational-therapist-ot-working-with-young-elementary-age-boy-on-fine-motor-skills-coordination-children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=8451CA88511CE12DD8F10913A1915A02)
Autism Community of Practice
Explores the strategies, challenges, and opportunities providing occupational therapy to autistic individuals. This CoP is housed under the Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section.
![Woman walking outside with smiling senior woman wearing head wrap](/-/media/aota-images/practice/mother-with-cancer-and-daughter-walking-outside-laughing.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=7003FF1A890230E90D77A64BE81B0C07)
Cancer Care Community of Practice
The Cancer Care Community of Practice addresses the complex needs of oncology survivors across the continuum of care. This section is housed under the Rehabilitation & Disabilities Special Interest Section.
![Female occupational therapist alongside senior woman holding a pencil working on handwriting skills](/-/media/aota-images/practice/dementia-occupational-therapy-senior-with-female-ot-paper-pencil-task-evaluation.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=08905C3642045547819752954D523425)
Dementia Community of Practice
Explores evidence-informed practice and the role of OT in supporting occupational performance and quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners. This CoP is housed under the Productive Aging Special Interest Section.
![Woman holding up smiling toddler to monkey bars outside at park](/-/media/aota-images/practice/toddler-playing-with-mom-in-park-outside-on-monkey-bars-living-life-early-childhood.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=ECA35A817151D2194D4B1C170DE7D33F)
Early Childhood Community of Practice
Addresses the demands of working in this critical phase of the life span to address needs as early as possible to prevent later challenges. This CoP is housed under the Children & Youth Special Interest Section.
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Emergency Response & Disaster Management Community of Practice
Explore a variety of direct service, advocacy, research, and leadership perspectives in both emergency response and all phases of disaster management. This CoP is housed under the Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section.
![Older man wearing gloves holding a screw driver fixing door](/-/media/aota-images/practice/man-fixing-door-with-screw-driver-home-repairs.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=6441AFD94A5A54EF79B9239218351A56)
Environmental Modifications Community of Practice
Explores best and emerging practice in the area of home and environmental modifications which are routinely incorporated into occupational therapy assessment and intervention plans to understand and address performance issues. This CoP is housed under the Home & Community Health Special Interest Section.
![Smiling couple grocery shopping with cart full of fresh food](/-/media/aota-images/practice/happy-couple-grocery-shopping-community-instrumental-activities-of-daily-living-iadls.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=40095FB46DB2EB3D13E15B717DDDC6A1)
Functional Cognition Community of Practice
Connects members addressing functional cognition to support their learning needs, using evidence based practices, and sharing of experiences and challenges across the lifespan and settings. This CoP is housed under the Developmental Disability Special Interest Section.
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Homelessness Community of Practice
Explores the challenges that unhoused individuals present in practice to meet both their individual performance as well as their often complex social needs. This CoP is housed under the Mental Health Special Interest Section.
![Woman with two small children wearing face masks walking through hospital](/-/media/aota-images/practice/family-walking-through-hospital-together-wearing-masks-covid-19.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=1611993ACFE6715134B36C6B8FC1C804)
Hospital-based Pediatrics Community of Practice
Provides a place for clinicians working with children in acute care to probe the distinct challenges of working with this population in the hospital setting. This CoP is housed under the Children & Youth Special Interest Section.
![Group of seniors sitting on yoga mats with arms raised in the air](/-/media/aota-images/practice/active-seniors-enjoying-group-exercise-yoga-productive-aging.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=C8BBE2AA46B895B4FF4B66BA6C69E5CB)
Integrative Health Community of Practice
The holistic nature of occupational therapy sets the stage for practitioners to explore the role of complementary interventions and approaches in practice to address occupational performance needs. This CoP is housed under the Home & Community Health Special Interest Section.
![Two women studying at laptop inside library with others in the background](/-/media/aota-images/education/diverse-group-of-student-studying-in-library-with-computer.jpg?cx=0.59&cy=0.43&cw=650&ch=410&hash=43A92B5FB6C8150968A875E8AF812722)
Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) Community of Practice
Explores how JEDI can be incorporated into occupational therapy education, including risks, benefits, and best practices. This community of practice is housed under the Academic Education Special Interest Section.
![Professional woman standing in front of audience speaking during presentation](/-/media/aota-images/membership/female-aota-member-standing-in-front-of-audience-speaker-leadership-benefits.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=35055AA8AF4298F15F7F1A4869541411)
Leadership Community of Practice
Explores the expansion of occupational therapy practice into administration and management roles. This CoP is housed under the Special Interest Section Council.
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Lifestyle Management Community of Practice
Explores how lifestyle and health management approaches can be used in a wide range of occupational therapy settings across the lifespan to promote health, well-being, and quality of life. This CoP is housed under the Rehabilitation & Disability Special Interest Section.
![Smiling toddler sitting in mans lap reading a book](/-/media/aota-images/practice/man-father-reading-to-toddler-early-childhood.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=BC6F1B9CFB7FD73703CD2F7CE75CADE3)
Literacy Community of Practice
Addresses the impact of literacy on both developmental and health interventions. This CoP is housed under the Special Interest Section Council.
![Close up of healthcare worker wearing mask and face shield in hospital room](/-/media/aota-images/practice/healthcare-working-in-mask-shield-scrubs-ot-hospital-setting-covid-19-rehabilitation.jpg?cx=0.72&cy=0.33&cw=650&ch=410&hash=24F0677A2C5EC4F60CF5E4188B2396FC)
Long COVID Community of Practice
Serves as a collaborative space for OT practitioners working or interested in long COVID care across the lifespan—to drive knowledge mobilization and enhance our professions responsiveness to the emerging and unmet needs of the long COVID population. This CoP is housed under the Work & Industry Special Interest Section.
![Man sitting in wheelchair cooking at stove inside kitchen](/-/media/aota-images/practice/senior-man-cooking-dinner-in-wheelchair-activities-of-daily-living.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=6DAFBF049594D72FB7C619F4CAFF9C61)
Mealtime Occupations Community of Practice
Probes the impact of feeding, eating, and swallowing deficits across the lifespan. This CoP is housed under the Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section.
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Occupation-Based Pelvic Health Community of Practice
Explores the intersections of pelvic health and occupational performance across the lifespan and genders. This CoP is housed under the Home and Community Health Special Interest Section.
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Palliative Care Community of Practice
Palliative care occurs across the lifespan and addresses the needs of clients recently diagnosed with a serious illness seeking curative treatment, those wishing to manage a chronic, non-curable illness, and those facing the end of their life due to disease progression or diagnosis of a terminal illness. This CoP is housed under the Rehabilitation and Disability Special Interest Section.
![Child with blocks](/-/media/corporate/images/modules/featured/children-youth-blocks.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=6045B219A5E1B9AE7F14D181BC6BE2A1)
Pediatric Trauma Community of Practice
Explores evidence-based strategies used to address trauma, share resources, collaborate, and advocate for the role of occupational therapy practitioners in trauma informed care. This CoP is housed under the Sensory Integration and Processing Special Interest Section.
![Smiling senior woman talking to another person on a couch in Skilled Nursing Facility](/-/media/aota-images/practice/senior-woman-talking-to-occupational-therapist-skilled-nursing-facility-snf.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=3CE5EE87F44B0B55FCDAE90D4CA35C59)
Psychosis Community of Practice
Explores the demands of working with challenging mental health symptoms and the role of occupational therapy meeting the needs of those with serious mental illness. This CoP is housed under the Mental Health Special Interest Section.
![Man outside in garden holding basket of fresh vegetables](/-/media/aota-images/practice/man-works-in-garden-mental-health-activities-of-daily-living.jpg?cx=0.6&cy=0.45&cw=650&ch=410&hash=9314804ACA96C8F27B8D6B88D4105DA7)
Rural Therapy Community of Practice
Probes the impact of therapy practice in this vulnerable and challenging context. This CoP is housed under the Academic Education Special Interest Section.
![Children & Youth](/-/media/corporate/images/modules/featured/children-and-youth.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=4D711E848681B9B43A0BE4DDC5DAE790)
School-based Community of Practice
Unmasks the challenges and opportunities to working with children in school settings. This CoP is housed under the Children & Youth Special Interest Section.
![Woman working with tablet at desk with smiling toddler girl](/-/media/aota-images/practice/toddler-girl-in-child-occupational-therapy-session-doing-playful-exercises-on-a-tablet-with-her-ot.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=577FFDFF85F9A91FBC9C119568E5BD62)
School Mental Health Community of Practice
Explores the impact occupational therapy can have on meeting the needs of school communities to support children's mental health and well-being. This CoP is housed under the Mental Health Special Interest Section.
![Woman sitting at desk looking at computer monitor talking to others on virtual meeting](/-/media/aota-images/practice/woman-at-desk-on-a-zoom-call-work-from-home.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=AB84BAD75879A273C302CFCF290B5970)
State Leaders in School Practice Community of Practice
Provides support and networking to promote occupational therapy advocacy across states. This CoP is housed under the Special Interest Section Council.
![Man playing basketball outside with young kid](/-/media/aota-images/practice/grandfather-playing-basketball-with-grandson-happy-living-life-to-the-fullest.png?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=8394C45A0E20F89E058857F8A2FA59DC)
Transitions Community of Practice
Explores key transitions in development and the essential bridge that occupational therapy can be to support successful movement across contexts. This CoP is housed under the Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section.
![Two women wearing aprons cooking with fresh food and looking at tablet on table](/-/media/aota-images/practice/women-cooking-together-meal-prep-in-the-kitchen-using-tablet.jpg?cx=0&cy=0&cw=650&ch=410&hash=330C13D0C688F58EC1FDEB5272136933)
Women's Health Community of Practice
Addresses the distinct needs of women and opportunities for occupational therapy to optimize care by lending our holistic approaches. This CoP is housed under the Rehabilitation & Disability Special Interest Section.
![Two healthcare workers wearing face masks taking selfie and giving thumbs up](/-/media/aota-images/community/happy-women-ot-coworkers-hospital-setting-community.jpg?cx=0.53&cy=0.5&cw=575&ch=575&hash=296413C8E223FE2FAE9DB215EC7F0D98)
The value of participation
Participating in the Communities of Practice adds value to your membership and professional development. Want to learn more? Read or listen to personal experiences from CoP members.