An OT functional cognitive approach to behaviour support
This session explores how occupational therapists can use a functional cognitive lens to understand changed behaviour in dementia and apply evidence-based, person-centred behaviour support strategies.
Program Overview
This session explores an OT lens on behaviour support for people living with dementia. The construct of functional cognition is used to examine how changed behaviour is best understood from the perspective of the person, highlights evidence-based interventions and discusses tailored activity prescription and implementation. Finally, findings from a recent study of behaviour support in residential aged care will be shared, highlighting the occupational therapy contribution to creating more person-centred, proactive support.
The session is presented by Dr Jacki Wesson, Senior Occupational Therapy Lecturer at University of Sydney and Theresa Flavin, Lived Experience Dementia Advocate and Researcher.
Key learning objectives for this session are:
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Learn how functional cognition provides a person-centred lens for understanding changed behaviour in dementia
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Understand the context of different cognitive interventions in dementia
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Identify evidence-based OT interventions and apply activity prescription principles to behaviour support
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Articulate the distinct OT contribution to behaviour support in residential aged care
By attending this session you will:
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Gain practical strategies to understand changed behaviour in dementia through a functional cognition and occupational therapy lens
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Strengthen your ability to design person-centred, activity-based behaviour support approaches
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Apply evidence-based OT interventions to support participation, wellbeing, and quality of life in dementia care
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Build confidence articulating the unique occupational therapy contribution to proactive behaviour support in residential aged care
This session is suitable for:
Suitable for OTs at any career stage.
DATE:
Tuesday 28th July 2026
TIME:
Presentation Commences:
12:30pm – 2:00pm | VIC, NSW, ACT, TAS, QLD |
12 noon – 1:30pm | SA, NT |
10:30am – 12 noon | WA |
The session will run for approximately 90 minutes.
Please login 10 minutes before the scheduled presentation time
VENUE
This is a 100% virtual event on the Zoom platform. You will receive an email with details to access the event one day ahead of the scheduled event date.
CPD HOURS:
Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 1.5 hours
Please allow 48 hours for your CPD Certificate to be loaded in your CPD Tracker after course completion.
ACCESS:
This session will be recorded. A link to the recording will be provided following the event completion. Attendance at the live event is encouraged.
Participants will be able to access the course materials online in their OTA account for the event and for a further 12 weeks after the event
REGISTRATION FEES
EARLYBIRD – Book on or before 30 June 2026
OTA Member: $60
OTA Student/New Graduate Member: $55
Non-member: $80
STANDARD – Book on or after 1 July 2026
OTA Member: $66
OTA Student/New Graduate Member: $60
Non-Member: $90
(All pricing is inclusive of GST)
RSVPS close 11:55pm AEST on 26 July 2026
Members must be logged in with username and password in order to register at the member rate.
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DISCLAIMER
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here
CONTACT US
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878
Presented By
Theresa Flavin
Theresa Flavin is a well-known advocate for people living with dementia. Theresa is an inaugural member of OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group, Human Rights Advisory Group and Supported Decision-Making Working Group. Theresa works at UNSW School of Psychology and has special interest in the human rights of people living with dementia. Through the support of OPAN and Global Association for the Rights of Older Persons, Theresa was the first person living with dementia to address the United Nations Open Ended Working Group on Ageing in 2023.
Dr Jacqueline Wesson
Dr Jacki Wesson has expertise in functional cognition, performance-based IADL assessment in mild cognitive impairment and dementia, and non-pharmacological behaviour support for people living with dementia across the continuum of ability. She has more than 20 years of clinical experience in health settings, including memory clinic and older people’s mental health, working in hospitals, community, and residential aged care, and in policy. Jacki is a senior lecturer in occupational therapy and early career researcher (ECR) at University of Sydney. Current funded projects she is leading include behaviour support for people living with dementia in residential care, and evaluating functional cognition screening in older people living with subtle functional change, and as part of a small ECR team, developing co-designed medication management resources for people living with dementia and their carers.