American Occupational Therapy Association Releases Post-Dobbs Task Force Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2023, North Bethesda, MD: The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Post-Dobbs Task Force has identified priorities and recommendations to support occupational therapy in the areas of reproductive and pelvic health. AOTA President Alyson Stover and Representative Assembly Speaker Michael Urban created the Task Force in December 2022 to identify potential concerns affecting occupational therapy after the Supreme Court’s decision in “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.”

“Our expertise in the relationship among the person, the occupation (everyday activities they want and need to do), and their environment, along with our profession’s Code of Ethics, must guide how we navigate complex policy changes while supporting our clients’ health and well-being,” said AOTA President Alyson Stover. “Occupational therapy’s unique history rooted in mental health combined with our expert training in body functions and structures creates a path to playing a key role in reproductive and pelvic health.”

In the process of identifying priorities and recommendations, the Task Force completed an extensive literature search and reviewed AOTA’s resources, Post-Dobbs member discussions on AOTA’s CommunOT platform, notes from listening sessions, and resources from other professional associations. They conducted a Conversations that Matter session at AOTA INSPIRE | 2023 Annual Conference & Expo, listened to participants in AOTA INSPIRE women’s health conference sessions, and collaborated on their findings.

The Task Force identified five priority areas: reproductive health promotion, perinatal health, pelvic health, family planning and sexual health, and helping OTPs navigate an ever-changing landscape—and as they pertain to these topics—mental health, parenting support, and advocacy for health equity to strengthen and support quality occupational therapy (OT) practice.

Mike Urban, AOTA Speaker, Representative Assembly thanked the Task Force for their work. “This was an important undertaking for the profession and organization to best shape the future of the profession to meet our client's ability to engage in meaningful everyday living (or occupations). I thank each and every contributor who helped to shape this report through their feedback and look forward to working towards the next steps to support practitioners and their clients.” Urban said.

The Post-Dobbs Task Force also developed a series of recommendations to support OTPs in four key areas of education/professional development, practice, advocacy/policy, and research. Moving forward, AOTA will carefully review the recommendations to determine next steps for the organization in this area of practice.

The recommendations being considered can be found in the Post-Dobbs Task Force report.

Task Force Members

• Emily Rothman, MS, ScD, Co-chair
• Rakhi Srivastava, MOT, OTR/L, Co-chair
• Madison Dewey, Student Member
• Julie Diaz, MEd, COTA/L, OTA Member
• Delaney McKee, OTD Student, Student Member
• Juniper Myers, MSLS, Consumer Member
• Chandler Murray, OTD Student, Student Member
• Darya Nemati, OTD Student, Student Member
• Joyce Rioux, EdD, OTR/L, SCSS, FAOTA, RACC Representative Danika Viola, MS, OTR/L, PCES, CCTS-I, OT Member
• Tricia Sullivan, AOTA Staff Liaison
• Susan Cahill, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, AOTA Staff Liaison

To interview one of AOTA’s Post Dobbs Task Force members or an expert source on pelvic health, contact Jennifer Rignani, AOTA media relations, at praota@aota.org or 412-977-5795.

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 230,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. Occupational therapy practitioners facilitate participation in everyday living for people of all ages. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in North Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information visit www.aota.org.

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