In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of occupational therapy, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Conference emerges as a beacon of innovation, education, and inspiration.
From 21-23 March 2024, the AOTA hosted the INSPIRE Conference in Florida, Orlando where Theratrak Founder and Occupational Therapist (OT) Laura Simmons spoke at the Inventor Showcase.
Laura pitched Theratrak last year during the Inventors Showcase highlighting the impact the digital tool can have on therapy. Learn more about the 2023 Inventor Showcase win here.
Learn more below about the conference, key insights from speakers and view more photos from the event.
The AOTA Conference: A Catalyst for Growth
The AOTA Conference is more than just an event; it's a catalyst for growth, learning, and connection among OT professionals.
With over 200,000 OTs, students, and members across all 50 states, the AOTA represents a vibrant community dedicated to improving the quality of occupational therapy services.
At the AOTA INSPIRE 2024 event, over 6,500 occupational therapists joined together over 3 days to hear from almost 3,000 different speakers and the opportunity to complete over 175 short courses.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for OTs to keep up to date with the industry trends and find new opportunities to make more impact in therapy.
Inventor Showcase: What Theratrak can do in One Year
After winning the AOTA Inventor Showcase in 2023, Laura provided an update on Theratrak's journey over the past year, showcasing significant advancements and the tangible impact on the occupational therapy field.
From research projects to significant app updates, Theratrak is working hard to engage therapists and participants to find out what’s possible with allied health and digital tools.
Last year, Laura pitched alongside innovative startups and showcased how much impact Theratrak has had in the allied health industry so far.
In the year following the AOTA 2023 Inventor Showcase win, Theratrak has achieved remarkable milestones, including:
Everyday, therapists save time on admin using Theratrak to prescribe custom home programs - and participants are encouraged to completed their personalised therapy activities at home outside of therapy sessions.
New clinics to Theratrak can estimate admin time saved with the Theratrak Clinic Quiz
The Theratrak Therapist app had a major update with more focus on capacity building, smoother communication and even better security
Our research partners at Western Sydney University completed retrospective quantitative descriptive research into how people use Theratrak
Therapists have prescribed over 10,000 home activities for over 3,000 programs via the Theratrak platform
87% of new participants on the platform receive a home program within 7 days
With Thrive Group in VIC, Australia, we found ways to support clinic waitlists with programs via Theratrak. Outcomes showed how families felt more supported, educated and empowered to support their kids. Therapists had more job satisfaction.
The Theratrak therapist app has gone through a big update adding new features with easy access to home programs, optional therapist-participant asynchronous feedback, extra security, and more helpful training videos for therapists.
Laura was selected as a Kenneth Myer Sidney Fellowship
Theratrak has integrated with case management tools like Cliniko, Coreplus and Lumary
We published TheratrakU - a one-hour explainer for everything therapists need to know about Theratrak to prescribe, track and monitor home therapy programs
More exciting updates about future Theratrak product and research partnerships coming soon.
Insightful Sessions: Building Resilience & Leveraging Tech
Resilience & Self-Improvement: Insights from Simon T. Bailey
Keynote Simon T. Bailey's session resonated with the core of Theratrak's ethos - resilience, self-care, and the pursuit of personal goals.
“It’s often who you think you’re not that holds you back”
- Simon T. Bailey, author, speaker and entrepreneur.
Simon shared inspiring insights into overcoming internal barriers through resilience and self-improvement - which aligns with Theratrak's objective to support therapists and participants in navigating their unique challenges and celebrating individual achievements.
Simon also shared an overview of his identification of four personality archetypes at work - Hurry, Worry, Ready, Steady from his book Resilience at Work. These archetypes provide a unique lens through which we can view our approaches to challenges and change.
At Theratrak, we love these types of breakdowns to encourage personal growth for both therapists and clients by tracking therapy progress which leads to greater outcomes for participants.
AI & Education: Shaping the Future of OT with Amanda Jozkowski
The session led by Amanda Jozkowski on AI and education highlighted the transformative role of technology in the future of occupational therapy. It delved into the ethical dimensions, including addressing bias and ensuring consent, illustrating how technology can sustain our values through periods of change.
This conversation spotlighted the essential role of OT educators and practitioners in harnessing AI to foster meaningful occupation and transformative practices. At Theratrak, we’ve codesigned our digital tools with clinicians and participants since day one. It’s important for the people using the tools to be a part of their creation too.
Theratrak's engagement with these technological advancements reflects our dedication to employing AI in ways that are both ethical and profoundly influential in therapy practices.
Embracing Confidence: Risky Play with Anita Bundy
One really interesting discussion at the AOTA was with Anita Bundy, a distinguished Occupational Therapy Professor and Department Head at Colorado State University, known for her pioneering work in sensory integration and promoting "risky play" among children, with significant contributions to the field through her research, publications, and development of play-related assessments.
Anita emphasised the drawbacks of overprotecting children, suggesting that experiencing risks is crucial for their development. This perspective aligns with Theratrak's ethos, which champions a client-centred approach, enabling therapists to craft personalised, creative programs suitable to each individual's needs. Theratrak's platform reflects Bundy's belief in the importance of "risky play," balancing risk with care to promote children's growth, self-efficacy, and participation. By embracing this philosophy, Theratrak supports the development of resilient, confident children ready to explore their limits safely.
Building Community & Innovating for a Better Tomorrow
"Connecting with OTs at the conference was incredibly rewarding. Listening to their unique stories and challenges first-hand refuels our commitment to providing more innovative updates and community support for our users."
- Theratrak Founder, & OT Laura Simmons reflecting on AOTA 2024
At the heart of Theratrak's mission is our commitment to making therapists' lives easier and supporting participants in engaging with home therapy programs.
It was a privilege to meet more American OTs who are supporting thousands of participants around the country.
As we reflect on the insights and inspirations from the conference, it's evident that the future of occupational therapy is bright with innovation and possibilities.
Theratrak is excited to continue our journey of innovation, with more upcoming research collaborations and events on the horizon.
If you're going to the AOTA Conference in 2025 or if you have any key insights about the American OT industry, please get in touch here.
