Tag Archives: AOTA conference

Therapro’s Unforgettable Experience at AOTA 2024: A Recap

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference & Expo 2024 was an event to remember, and Therapro was proud to be at the forefront, showcasing our latest innovations and resources. From insightful discussions with renowned authors to hands-on demonstrations of must-have therapy tools, our booth was a hub of activity, drawing in attendees eager to explore the world of occupational therapy. Read on for a recap of Therapro’s experience at AOTA 2024!

Is It Sensory Or Is It Behavior? 2nd Edition

One of the highlights of the event was the presence of Carolyn Murray-Slutsky, MS, OTR, and Betty Paris, PT, esteemed authors of several pivotal publications, including “Is It Sensory Or Is It Behavior? 2nd Edition” and “Autism Interventions (2nd Edition).” Their expertise illuminated the complexities of sensory processing and behavior, sparking engaging conversations and offering valuable insights for attendees.

The functionalhand

Creator Linda Merry, OTR, was also on hand to demonstrate the versatility and practical applications of her ingenious creation, the functionalhand. This innovative tool proved to be a game-changer, garnering attention for its effectiveness in promoting fine motor skills and hand function.

Psymark Visual-Motor apps

Furthermore, attendees were introduced to an exciting new addition to Therapro’s inventory: the Psymark Visual-Motor Apps. Developed by Karen Silberman and Dana Khudaverdyan, these groundbreaking digital tools revolutionize progress monitoring in visual-motor skills. With real-time data analysis and user-friendly interfaces, Psymark apps promise to streamline assessment processes and deliver precise, individualized results.

Hands-on interaction was encouraged with Therapro’s newest evaluations, such as Identi-Fi, Trails-X™, and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–Third Edition (PDMS-3). These assessments offer comprehensive insights into various aspects of motor development and cognitive function, empowering therapists to tailor interventions effectively.

The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–Third Edition (PDMS-3)

Attendees also had the chance to explore games, specially designed with the therapist in mind. Attendees had the opportunity to explore games like Letter Treasure Hunt, Novenops, and Trunks, specially designed to facilitate therapeutic interventions and promote skill development in a fun and engaging manner.

Letter Treasure Hunt

Of course, no visit to our booth would be complete without experiencing the vast array of sensory tools available from Therapro. From Happy Senso to Fidgets and alternative seating options, attendees were immersed in a world of sensory exploration and discovery.

The Alert Chair

Overall, AOTA 2024 was an incredible opportunity for us to connect with fellow professionals, share knowledge, and showcase the latest tools for occupational therapy practitioners. We’re grateful for the enthusiastic response from attendees and look forward to continuing our mission of empowering therapists and improving lives through innovative solutions. Until next time!

AOTA Annual Conference & Expo 2016

We anticipated an energizing 4 days in Chicago at the 2016 AOTA Annual Conference & Expo! Therapro director and owner, Karen Conrad Weihrauch, ScD, OTR/L was happy to be back in familiar territory, having received her OT degree at the University of Illinois. The Therapro team of 5 occupational therapists, lead by Karen, convened at the Expo Hall on Wednesday afternoon, rolled up our sleeves and got to work setting up our massive, colorful exhibit. Karen, Bhanu, Ginger, and Linda, and I functioned like a well-oiled machine, constructing the display and stocking the shelves with all our latest and greatest products.

We were ready for the onslaught of 10,000 attendees when the Expo opened on Thursday evening. Our booth was a very popular stop, situated near the point of entry to the exhibit hall. Imagine streams of people strolling through the exhibit hall, pausing to visit our booth. We introduced several brand new editions of our publications: Drive -Thru Menus and Fine Motor Olympics, which sold out quickly! Attendees were happy to consult with the Therapro therapists about products and their use.

Ginger and Bhanu were on hand to talk about their publication, Self-Care with Flair. Their Therapro-sponsored seminar on the Expo Hall floor on Friday afternoon was very well received! Authors, Carolyn Murray-Slutsky, MS, OTR, C/NDT and Betty A. Paris, PT, MEd, C/NDT, along with Carolyn’s husband, Herman, shared our booth. Their publications: Autism Interventions, Is It Sensory or Is It Behavior?, DTI: Laminated Card Series – Sensory Modulation & Positive Behavioral Strategies, and the new Sleep ‘N Sync materials, were very popular.

Therapists were thrilled to be able to examine and play games with us from our “Games Corner,” a few of which included:

Other products therapists clamored for were:

Here are just a few friends who stopped by the Therapro exhibit to say “hello”:

  • Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Executive Director of the Spiral Foundation
  • Mary Schiavoni, MS, CCC-SLP, Inventor/Designer of Chewy Tubes
  • Fred Sammons, PhD (Hon), OT, FAOTA, former owner of Sammons, Inc., now called Patterson Medical
  • Jeanne Zobel-Lachiusa, EdD, OTR/L and Lucindy Napoli, MOT, OTR/L, Faculty members at Bay Path University
  • Sharon Ray, ScD, OTR/L, Faculty member at Stony Brook University. She and Karen Conrad Weihrauch were colleagues when attending Boston University for their advanced occupational therapy degrees
  • OT students from Bay Path University, Ithaca College, and Utica College
  • Former students of Karen when she taught at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee

Our exhilarating 4 days at the outstanding AOTA Conference & Expo left us with great memories and pride. The experience reinforced our commitment to being occupational therapists that tirelessly seek knowledge to better serve our patients/students/clients. Meeting therapists from across the globe with similar concerns and common practices, and sharing ideas with them was an incredible experience. Hearing therapists exclaim over and over again – “We love Therapro!” – made us feel like we’re doing something right!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L