Addressing challenging or interfering behaviours in autism: A systems-level, neurodivergent-affirming approach (March 11, 2027)

Online Workshop

March 11, 2027, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Presented by: Moira Peña

Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) are frequently asked to support autistic children and youth when challenging or interfering behaviours significantly impact occupational participation at home, school, and in the community. Clinicians are expected to provide care that is both strengths-based and neurodivergent-affirming (Dallman, 2022; Kornblau & Robertson, 2021). However, many existing resources and behaviour support approaches do not consistently reflect neurodivergent-affirming principles or align with the preferences of the autistic community and the core values of the occupational therapy profession. 

 
This workshop introduces universal, systems-level strategies that you can use to support autistic individuals who present with challenging or interfering behaviours. Grounded in the Autistic SPACE framework ( Doherty et al., 2023) and neurodivergent-affirming practices ( Dallman et al., 2022), you will learn practical strategies that promote participation, well-being, and inclusive environments across home, school, and community settings.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Define and critically examine the language of “challenging” and “interfering” behaviours.  
• Differentiate between externalizing and internalizing behaviours in autism and recognize why both require clinical attention.
• Explore factors that contribute to challenging or interfering behaviours in autism.
• Apply the Autistic SPACE framework (Doherty et al., 2023) to guide occupational therapy assessment and co-creation of therapy support plans.
• Identify universal and neurodivergent-affirming systems-level strategies that you can promote and help implement across home, school, and community settings.
• Apply the framework and strategies in your occupational therapy practice.

Target audience and language

Target audience 
Occupational therapist clinicians, occupational therapist assistants, and students in OTA/PTA programs who work with autistic children and youth and who wish to learn strategies to address challenging or interfering behaviours.

Areas of practice 
Neurodiversity

Client age groups
Young children (0-4 years old), Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old)

Level
Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area) 

Language
English

Preliminary workshop agenda

March 11. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (ET)	Defining challenging or interfering behaviours: Language, externalizing & internalizing behaviours presentations, and contributing factors
11:30 - 11:45 a.m. (ET)	Break
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. (ET)	The Autistic SPACE framework: Assessment and co-creation of therapy support plans
1:15 - 1:45 p.m. (ET)	Break
1:45 - 3:15 p.m. (ET)	Systems-level strategies for facilitating occupational participation
3:15 - 3:30 p.m. (ET)	Break
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. (ET)	Case studies: Applying a neurodivergent-affirming, systems-level approach

  

Presenter

Moira Peña, BScOT, MOT, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Moira Peña is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of clinical and leadership experience supporting autistic children, youth, and their families. She is the founder of Moira Peña Sensory Workshops and the Team Lead, Autism Programs & Projects at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. A published author and international speaker, Moira has contributed to research exploring guiding principles for occupational therapists supporting autistic children and youth. She is also an Expert Hub Team member with the ECHO Ontario Autism Program, and is the creator and host of Holland Bloorview's Autism Summit.

Workshops are recorded! Your registration includes:

• Individual participation in a live workshop and opportunity to ask questions
• Handout of PowerPoint presentation
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• Access to the workshop recording for 1 month following the live sessions
• Certificate of completion

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to [email protected]. All cancellation requests received by February 24, 2027 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. Substitutions and transfers requests received by February 24, 2027 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

No refunds will be given after February 24, 2027.  

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to  [email protected] by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration.

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before January 29, 2027 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient registration up until February 12, 2027. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

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The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact [email protected] or 1-800-434-2268.