MH SIG - Gender Affirming Care and Occupational Therapy

Date and Time: September 26th 6-7:30PM EST

Chairperson(s): Emily Walker, OT, Allyson Lewis, OT, & Rosa Colorado, OT

Location:  Zoom - to be sent out day before the event

Title: Gender Affirming Care and Occupational Therapy

Presenter: Karlie Ashcroft, OT, MS, OTR

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand general terminology related to gender diverse populations and gender affirming care.
2. Analyze how gender identity impacts occupational engagement across all areas of occupation.
3. Understand how occupational therapy practitioners can support gender diverse individuals in mental-health settings.

Presenter Bio/Presentation Focus:

Karlie Ashcroft, OT, MS, OTR (they/them) is a Queer occupational therapist living in Worcester, Massachusetts. They obtained a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in OT from The University of Scranton, where they continue to intermittently guest lecture on topics related to LGBTQ+ and mental health topics. Karlie is passionate about broadening education and understanding about occupational therapy's role in LGBTQ+ client care and have contributed to various panels and written resources about this topic. They are the social media chair on the board for The Network for LGBTQIA+ Concerns in Occupational Therapy. Karlie is excited to be sharing their knowledge in this space related specifically to gender affirming care and OT’s role in supporting trans and gender diverse populations

References:

1. American Occupational Therapy Association (2021) Policy E.15. AOTA. https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/aboutaota/officialdocs/policies/policy-e15-20211115.pdf
2. Guillory, B. & Rafalski. L. (2023). Gender-Affirming Language. AOTA. ttps://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/practice/dei/aota-gender-affirming-language.pdf
3. Keo-Meier, C., & Ehrensaft, D. (Eds.). (2018). Introduction to the gender affirmative model. In C. Keo-Meier & D. Ehrensaft (Eds.), The gender affirmative model: An interdisciplinary approach to supporting transgender and gender expansive children (pp. 3–19). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000095-001

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2024