Virginia Occupational Therapy Association upcoming events

Neurodiversity-Affirming OT Approaches With Autistic Clients Across Settings (Friday, July 31, 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Course Info

This course introduces the Principles of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice in contrast to traditional Pathology Paradigm and presents strategies for how to translate core principles into OT practice approaches with autistic clients across settings. The presentation centers the lived experience of autistic communities through the Lived Experience Informed Practice Framework to bridge community advocacy and professional practice.

This webinar is free for members of VOTA and $20.00 for non-members.

Presenter Info

Jordan Andrews Noah, she/her, OTD, OTR/L, QMHP

Jordan earned a doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Pacific University in 2019. She obtained the NBCOT microcredential in OTR Adult Mental Health in 2025. Jordan’s professional mission is to promote holistic and person-centered practices, to be an advocate for those that have long been disenfranchised, and provide an empathetic approach to helping others. She currently works in a community mental health setting providing occupational therapy services as a part of the Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA) early psychosis program and Illness Management, & Recovery team. In addition, she is an adjunct professor for Pacific University’s occupational therapy program.

Dae Diamond-Melendez, they/them, OTD, OTR/L, QMHP

Dae graduated from Pacific University in 2025 with a doctorate in Occupational Therapy and a concentration in Interprofessional Education. Their approach to occupational therapy is shaped by their community organizing background and their own lived experiences as an autistic queer and trans person of color with bipolar. They are passionate about occupational justice and placing intersectionality at the forefront of care that is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and neurodiversity-affirming. They served as an adjunct professor for Pacific University’s occupational therapy program in the 2025-2026 academic year, and work as an OT for the Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA) early psychosis program.

Registration Info

To register, visit: https://www.aspireoted.com/course/vota-neurodiversity-affirming

To access the webinar for free, VOTA members should use the following guide: https://www.aspireoted.com/virginia-member-guide

Adult Communities of Practice (Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Communities of Practice - RESCHEDULED TO AUGUST 18th 12-1pm

VOTA Executive Director is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: OT's role with clients taking weight loss drugs, guest speaker Becca and Megan Bailes, OTD, OTR/L

Every month on the Third Tue, 36 occurrence(s)

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUkf-qorzgjH9S44Ne0CUSXafbSCSfHVqap/ics?icsToken=DB-hWcLQ1gIguVS5vgAALAAAAA7EZgxumHxBSnWxxEcXdsD-AqadvUtYZz-kgSI6M_nEaJLxowvMJuJGlAfwRv5PzozM0SEdYHDvnGOEHjAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=O3EKY24ESqCcjYVH9A8egA

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81983013950?pwd=bAsgDiwHptFEqsgWiXtRde8wzxYCVR.1

Meeting ID: 819 8301 3950

Passcode: 473488

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One tap mobile

+16469313860,,81983013950#,,,,*473488# US

+19292056099,,81983013950#,,,,*473488# US (New York)

Join instructions

https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/81983013950/invitations?signature=emeJ2HN6pWoSeqzfX96SQtFNX10uc6I5qgARqXYXZJ8

Communities of Practice (Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Communities of Practice

VOTA Executive Director is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: OT's role with clients taking weight loss drugs, guest speaker and Megan Bailes, OTD, OTR/L

Time: August 18th, 2026 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Every month on the Third Tue

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81983013950?pwd=bAsgDiwHptFEqsgWiXtRde8wzxYCVR.1

Meeting ID: 819 8301 3950

Passcode: 473488

---

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,81983013950#,,,,*473488# US

+19292056099,,81983013950#,,,,*473488# US (New York)

Join instructions

https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/81983013950/invitations?signature=emeJ2HN6pWoSeqzfX96SQtFNX10uc6I5qgARqXYXZJ8

CARE for Misophonia Webinar (Tuesday, August 18, 2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Misophonia is a newly recognized disorder characterized by strong, negative reactions to specific sounds that can lead to distress and/or impairment in functioning. This webinar covers the current understanding of misophonia, how occupational therapy practitioners can help those affected by misophonia, and the use of a process-based therapy (PBT) framework to target biopsychosocial processes in treatment.

While both members and non-members are welcome, in order to receive a certificate for CEU credit from VOTA, you must be a member of VOTA.