Events
WOTA Annual Conference|Assistive Technology|Sensory Processing course|Sensory Integration Course|Kines Seminar|MSOT Poster session|Kinesiology Banquet|Workshop-Gross and Fine Motor Classification Systems |Brain to Five Series|WOTA Annual Conference|Pre-OT student organization meeting|3rd MSOT class graduates|WisCouncil|Advising sessions|
Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association (WOTA) annual conference
The WOTA annual conference was held in Middleton, WI Nov. 5-7, 2009.
Mary Schneider, PhD, OTR/L and Julia Wilbarger, PhD, OTR presented a session titled "Research on Sensory Processing Disorder at the University of Wisconsin". New research findings relevant to sensory processing disorder were described including: the influence of institutional care in infancy and alcohol exposure and outcome in primates.
Ruth Benedict, DrPH, OTR, Jean Patz, MS, OTR from the UW OT Program along with Rae Sprague, MS, OTR, Marcella Andrews, MS, PT and Carrie Arneson, MS from the Waisman Center presented "Manual Abilities Classification System (MACS) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) in Children with Cerebral Palsy". Participants learned about the current research being done through the Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and other Developmental Disabilities System which is part of the CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Participants learned how to apply the tools through the use of video case studies. Evidence supporting the use of these tools and their contribution to understanding of the epidemiology of CP were presented.
Esther Knudson, OTS presented her research poster-Identification of Children with Atypical Sensory Symptoms.
Assistive Technoloy Expo 2009
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Engineering Centers Building, 1550 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706
This is a free event. There will be a computer technologies showcase with hands-on exhibits and the latest in assistive computer technologies. The keynote address is at 12 pm and the topic is AT Abandonment. Updates will be posted on http://ATExpo.blogspot.com. If you have any questions please e-mail Sarah Lincoln at Sarah.Lincoln@dhs.wisconsin.gov or Monica KamalRossa at Monica@SCI-Madison.org.
UW Course-Sensory Processing and Regulatory Disturbances in Infants and Young Children: Evidence-based Approaches for Assessment and Intervention in Infant Mental Health.
Date: November 20, 2009
Time: 8:30-9 am registration. 9 am-4 pm course.
Location: The Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 608-262-1122.
Fees: $150 includes instruction, materials, CEUs, refreshments, lunch and $20 nonrefundable administrative fee.
On-line registration www.dcs.wisc.edu/pda/mental-health
Contact for further information: Ann Whitaker, awhitaker@dcs.wisc.edu, 608-262-4509, 800-442-4617.
To register: 608-262-1397 or 800-725-9692.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the impact of sensory processing and regulatory disruptions on infant mental health and development. Early sensory processing influences such areas of functioning as early emotional regulation, the development of secure attachments, and the acquisition of adaptive skills including feeding, sleeping and motor skills. Focus is on how to translate the theoretical and research foundations of sensory processing into skills you can use for assessment and intervention with young children and their caregivers. This course is a one-day open enrollment workshop as part of the University of Wisconsin Infant, Early Childhood and Family Mental Health Certificate Program. For further information please visit www.dcs.wisc.edu/pda/mental-health
Kinesiology Department Seminar

Prof. Mary Schneider, PhD, OTR presented "Neurobiological Correlates of Sensory Processing Disorder in a Primate Model: Habituation, Sensitization, & Dopamine Function" on Oct. 23, 2009 at the Natatorium. Dr. Schneider discussed her multifaceted and exciting research to faculty, staff and students at the noon seminar.
Sensory Integration Theory and Practice Special Topic Course TS 775 (2 credits)
Description: This course is designed for graduate students and practitioners in health-related and behavioral sciences. Topics will include an examination of theoretical and neurobiological foundations of sensory integration (SI) and will explore contemporary issues related to the SI theory, measurement and therapeutic intervention. Contributions from bodies of research across scientific disciplines will be incorporated into a current view of SI Theory and Practice. Students will have an opportunity to critically analyze and discuss issues and controversies associated with the current body of research in SI and will identify and review relevant literature in an area of interest.
Time: Tuesdays from 4:30-6:20 pm., Fall semester 2009, September 8 to December 15.
Place: 3179 Medical Science Center
Instructor: Julia Wilbarger, PhD, OTR, 608-262-4923.
Registration: Individuals not currently enrolled as UW-Madison students may enroll through the Adult and Student Services Center-608-263-6960. E-mail assc@dcs.wisc.edu. Location: 1305 Linden Drive, 3rd floor, Madison, WI 53706. Hours Mon-Fri, 7:45 am-4:30 pm, Tues till 7 pm.
MSOT 3rd Annual Student Poster Presentations, May 8, 2009
The OT Program held the 2009 MSOT Student Poster Presentations at Memorial Union. This event was held on May 8th from 2:15-5:00 pm. The research poster session is the capstone event for research. 22 MSOT students presented their posters. Certificate of contact hours for attendance are available upon request from the OT department.



Click on Presenter Name to view photo
Click on the Poster Title to view poster (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Kinesiology Banquet and Awards Ceremony
The Graduate Studies Committee and the Occupational Therapy Program
Faculty held the 2009 Graduate Student Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, May
13, 2009 in Tripp Commons at the Memorial Union.
The Grad Student Recognition Banquet is an opportunity for faculty to
recognize our graduate students' achievements and the contributions they
make to our department. We will be acknowledging students receiving
scholarships and fellowship as well as having the opportunity to
highlight fine student research.
From about 4-6PM the student's research posters were viewed followed by dinner and "Grad Student recognition". Faculty advisers offered brief, informal remarks about their graduate
students and scholarship recipients.
Third OT Masters of Science class attended UW-Madison graduation, May, 2009
Our third class of masters-level students graduated this spring and will begin their Level II Fieldwork this summer. This class is made up of students with a rich array of backgrounds. Their undergraduate degrees included biology, business administration, communication arts, economics, education and social policy, human development and family studies, psychology, rehab psychology, and religion. The students share the occupational therapy faculty's excitement about the new curriculum and have helped to shape the program in ways that have made it responsive to the needs of graduate students.
Workshop on Gross and Fine Motor Classification Systems for Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists, May 20th, 2009
Dr. Ruth Benedict, DrPH, OTR, Jean Patz, MS, OTR/L, Rae Sprague, MS, OTR, Marcella Andrews, MS, PT and Carrie Arneson, MS presented at a workshop titled: Classification of Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Learning the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). The workshop was held at the Waisman Center and sponsored by the Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and other Developmental Disabilities System. Participants learned how to: classify the functional abilities of children with CP using the GMFCS and the MACS and to understand the need for common language and documentation of function among children with CP to assist with surveillance and future research on the outcomes of intervention. Audience included physical and occupational therapists as well as OT & PT students.


Dr. Ruth Benedict presenting research on documenting functional abilities in children with CP
"Brain to Five" Community Education Series on Early Brain Development
Mary Schneider, PhD presented Prenatal Environments Shape Brain Development on Wed. March 11th at 7 pm at Appleton North High School. Appleton Education Foundation and UW-Madison sponsored this 2nd annual Brain to Five series focusing on Environmental Influences during Early Childhood.

(view more photos of 1st and 2nd MSOT annual poster sessions)
Pre-Occupational Therapy Student Organization (POTSO), 1st Tuesday monthly
The UW-Madison undergraduate Pre-Occupational Therapy Student Organization (POTSO) had it's first meeting of this academic year on October 9th at 7:00 pm. Every meeting thereafter will be held on the first Tuesday of the month. For information on location check the TITU at Memorial Union or contact Katie Gallik at gallik@wisc.edu or Liz Hutchison at ehutchison@wisc.edu (Phone 847-421-9997). POTSO is a group for those interested in going into the field of occupational therapy. At meetings, we talk about volunteer opportunities, listen to guest speakers, and discuss OT as a career in general. The only requirements are $10 dues each semester, attending all but one meeting, and being an active participant in our volunteering and fundraising activities. There will be a group photo taken at the first meeting. Hope to see you there!!
WisCouncil
Upcoming Meetings & Educational Programs.
Advising Sessions for Prospective Students
Group Advising Sessions for Students Interested in a Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy