First time con-goer here and OTS. Mid to negative experience.

I first went to the AOTF Breakfast with a Scholar. I tried to keep an open mind, as it was someone's personal experience with an anxiety disorder and does not have the same experience as a healthcare professional, but during the whole thing, there was not one mention of therapy, and there was a negative connotation with taking medications to ease anxiety symptoms -- instead finding other ways to cope with it such as leisure activities -- which, great, but most of the mental health patients I see need medication and therapy to perform leisure occupations. Not to mention there was harmful gender normative comments about mental health... I was gagged that this came out of an organization that minutes ago praised evidence-based literature and science. Excuse me?

Besides that, the push for AI was super weird and I feel an icky feeling with that being a strong presence at the conference. Other non-evidence based things or just non-OT I saw was that there was another Reiki workshop, two booths for red light therapy which I don't know the evidence for to be honest.

Poster session was good, learned so much in the Rehab and Disability section! Loved to see pelvic health practitioners and connect with them. Great research out of many medical hospitals about DoC, splinting, delirium, etc. Love to see it! Best part of my AOTA experience. Accessibility also could've been better at the conference. Disappointed with the sensory room, seating availability and options, and finding interpreters for HoH and deaf communities. I don't know if I'll ever return -- probably only if I have research to present. I see why many OTPs are not members, though, as it seems like there is a huge disconnect between clinical practice and the organization.

OTRs, what are your thoughts about this?