Circus arts and occupational therapy: Capacity building and community development (October 28, 2025)

Presented by: Dr. Jill Maglio

Occupational therapists use innovative and creative ways to help people with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges achieve balance and well-being. Combining circus and occupational therapy can improve coordination, body awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, perseverance, fitness, strength, life skills, and community participation for various populations (Maglio et al., 2025; Coulston et al., 2023).  This webinar introduces how circus, through an occupational therapy lens, addresses individual, community, and social political well-being for various client groups. Potential benefits of combining circus with occupational therapy will be explored. Demonstration videos will assist with illustrating the application of circus-themed occupational therapy in practice.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Understand how circus can be delivered through an occupational therapy lens.
2. Recognize potential emotional, cognitive, physical and social benefits to combining circus with occupational therapy.
3. Identify life skills being addressed from three different circus activity videos.

Level  Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)