Through OT Potential, we’ve released more than 124 podcast episodes exploring the research, ideas, and conversations shaping occupational therapy. Each year, we pause to step back and ask a foundational question:

What is occupational therapy—and how is it evolving?

In this special episode to kick off 2026, we expand the conversation beyond research alone to include advocacy, technology, and the forces shaping OT practice and public perception.

Joining us for this milestone conversation are two of the profession’s most influential leaders:

• Katie Jordan, CEO of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Angela Macauley, PMP, CEO of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Together, we explore:

• How occupational therapy practitioners can collaborate on advocacy efforts, particularly around reimbursement and sustainability of practice
• How the profession can more effectively communicate and market the value of OT to the public, referral partners, and policymakers
  How emerging technologies—especially AI—are impacting the profession.

This episode is an invitation to zoom out, reconnect with OT’s core identity, and consider how we collectively shape the future of the profession.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/what-is-ot-in-2026

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

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https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

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https://otpotential.com/free-ot-ceus

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Research suggests that anywhere from 46% to 84% of autistic children experience selective eating.

And the downstream risks are substantial: selective eating is linked with nutritional deficiencies, psychosocial impairment, and increased risk of developmental and psychiatric comorbidities, with severity tied to how persistent and restrictive the eating patterns become.

In this OT Potential course, Britt St. John, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, joins us to break down what occupational therapy professionals need to understand—and do—when supporting autistic children with selective eating. We’ll begin with Britt’s story and key terminology (picky eating vs. selective eating vs. feeding disorders), then move into practical, evidence-based guidance for clinicians.

Together, we’ll focus on three core areas:

• Assessment: How to identify the nature and severity of selective eating, including available OT assessments and red flags that should guide clinical decision making.
• Caregiver collaboration: How to partner with families in ways that reduce stress, build shared understanding, and promote sustainable change at home.
• Evidence-backed treatment options: What the research supports, how OT interventions fit within interprofessional care, and when to refer on.

This course is designed for OTs and OTAs looking for clarity in a complex practice area—and for practical tools you can use immediately to support families navigating selective eating.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/selective-eating-and-autism

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

Try 2 free OT Potential courses here:
https://otpotential.com/free-ot-ceus

Support the show

AI is going to reshape OT education—rapidly and profoundly. The real question is: How do we harness its strengths for good? How do we protect the parts of learning that are best done without it, while also leveraging AI in areas where our profession has historically struggled?

One promising area is scenario-based learning, where AI can create realistic, dynamic situations that help learners practice clinical reasoning in a safe, supportive environment.

In today’s one-hour webinar, we’re hosting a round-table conversation featuring:

• David Foster, PhD – learning theorist and AI learning-module creator
• Sarah Lyon, OTR/L – OT educator and continuing-education provider
• Melissa Kimmerling, EdD, OTR/L – OT program director

Together, we’ll explore what’s possible in this new frontier, examine the concerns we must guard against, and—most importantly—answer your live questions about the future of AI in OT education.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ai-in-education

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Learn more about Scalable Learning:
https://www.scalablelearning.net/

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

Try 2 free OT Potential courses here:
https://otpotential.com/free-ot-ceus

Support the show

Support the show