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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.