20-Hour Occupation in Action: Optimizing Function Across the Lifespan

Course Overview
Occupation in Action: Optimizing Function Across the Lifespan is a comprehensive continuing education resource designed for occupational therapy practitioners at all stages of their careers. Grounded in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF 4th Edition) and current evidence-based practice, this book explores the full arc of human occupation from early childhood development through aging and end-of-life care.

Organized across three chapters, the book addresses the unique occupational needs of pediatric populations, working-age adults, and older adults. Learners will explore sensory integration and visual perception in children, creative and interdisciplinary approaches to pediatric intervention, spinal cord injury management, pelvic health, supportive living environments and the distinct role of OT in hospice and palliative care. Through case studies, evidence-based frameworks, and practical clinical tools, this book equips OT practitioners to deliver client-centered, occupation-focused care across every stage of life. 

Learning Outcomes 
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Apply occupation-based frameworks and theoretical models, including the OTPF 4th Edition, to guide client-centered assessment and intervention across pediatric, adult, and aging populations in diverse clinical and community settings.  
• Differentiate functional deficits and occupational performance challenges across the lifespan by selecting and interpreting appropriate evidence-based screening tools, assessments, and clinical reasoning strategies.  
• Develop individualized, client-centered intervention plans that address occupational performance, participation, and quality of life, incorporating adaptive strategies, environmental modifications, and assistive technology.  
• Analyze the impact of physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychosocial factors on occupational engagement across developmental stages, acquired injury, disability, and end-of-life transitions.  
• Justify the role of occupational therapy within interdisciplinary and collaborative care models by distinguishing OT's unique contributions across healthcare, school-based, community, and home settings.  
• Evaluate the influence of social determinants of health, cultural values, and individual identity on occupational participation and well-being to inform equitable, person-centered practice. 

About the Author/Presenter 
Briana Elson, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, is a board-certified occupational therapist specializing in neurological rehabilitation across acute care, ICU, inpatient rehab, and skilled nursing settings. She completed an AOTA-accredited Neurologic OT Fellowship at Brooks Institute of Higher Learning and currently practices at Mayo Clinic Florida, where she works with patients in critical care, oncology, neurology, neurosurgery, and transplant. Briana is a published researcher, certified brain injury specialist (CBIS), and 2024–2025 AOTF STRIDE Mentored Research Scholarship recipient with a focus on evidence-based practice and discharge preparedness.

Meredith Chandler, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with expertise in sensory integration, autism-informed practice, and creative therapy approaches across pediatric and adult populations. She is an active presenter at state and national OT conferences, including the IOTA Fall Conference 2024, where she presented on sensory integration in adults and acceptance-based OT for autistic individuals. Meredith brings a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming lens to her clinical and educational work.

Cynthia Diaz, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with clinical experience in pediatric OT, visual perception, and school-based practice. She specializes in evaluating and developing individualized interventions for students with diverse learning and functional needs, integrating sensory and perceptual strategies into meaningful, occupation-centered care.

Dr. Lynda Lemisch, OTD, OTR/L, CLCP, CAPS, is an occupational therapist, Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP), and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) with extensive experience in geriatric care, home modifications, and palliative and end-of-life occupational therapy. She holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and has served as faculty at Gwynedd Mercy University, where she mentored graduate students in aging, chronic disease, and community-based care. Her work integrates occupation-centered, person-first values across the continuum of aging.

Dr. Joy Siegel, EdD, MBA, holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a Doctoral Certificate in Gerontology from Nova Southeastern University. She serves as an Associate Adjunct Professor at NSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine and leads Joy Siegel Senior Solutions, Inc., which focuses on aging-in-place programming, intergenerational initiatives, social determinants of health, and DEI. Dr. Siegel has led over 500 focus groups in collaboration with partners including the NIH and Case Western University, and has developed CE content for allied health professionals on dementia, caregiving, aging, and community-based wellness.

Leyna Antonucci-Lee, PT, DPT, is a licensed physical therapist and Content Development Manager at Colibri Group, where she leads CE content development for the therapies discipline across OT, PT, and interdisciplinary healthcare education. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Rutgers University and has clinical experience as a pediatric and neonatal PT at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and as a traveling clinician with Cranial Technologies. A published CE author, Leyna brings expertise in CE accreditation, evidence-based curriculum design, SME recruitment and management, and AI-enabled content planning workflows.

Lacey Salberg, DPT, is a licensed physical therapist at NYU Langone Health, with clinical rotations in orthopedics, pelvic floor rehabilitation, and vestibular and concussion care. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Rutgers University and also brings experience in home care and travel PT settings. Lacey is certified in LSVT BIG and pelvic floor therapy (Herman & Wallace Levels 1 and 2A) and is a Spanish-bilingual clinician committed to culturally responsive, patient-centered care. 

Audience/Accreditations and Approvals 
Colibri Healthcare 
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):  
Occupational Therapy

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