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ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description
October 17–19, 2026
The Embassy Suites, Brea, California
2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA
The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.
For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance
For information on our On Demand Conference offerings, please visit: ATRA SoCal On Demand
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending fr all sessions for CEUs.
Once the program is pre-approved; For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.
Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.
Note on Non-ATRA Activities:
Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA SoCal program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.
GetTHERE: Recreational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology Interprofessional Framework for Real-World Application
Session Description
This session presents the getTHERE model, an interprofessional framework integrating recreational therapy (RT) and speech-language pathology (SLP) to improve social engagement and communication through prosocial, activity-based interventions. The presenters will outline an example from clinical practice of how combining RT and SLP intervention approaches can address challenges in generalizing social skills to real-world environments for adolescents and young adults with disabilities. The session will present preliminary research findings into practical strategies for clinical application, highlighting how RTs can engage in interprofessional collaboration with SLPs to enhance social outcomes, particularly for people with autism spectrum disorder or other social challenges. Preliminary outcomes will be reviewed from program evaluation measures, including standardized assessment data, therapy note analysis, and social validity findings. Emphasis will be placed on how RT practitioners in collaboration with SLPs can design and implement meaningful, strengths-based interventions that promote peer interaction, leadership, and community participation. Attendees will leave with a structured framework for integrating evidence-based practices into recreational therapy programming to support engagement, generalization, and long-term social integration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the five key components of the getTHERE RT-SLP interprofessional model and its application to clinical practice. 2. Analyze program evaluation outcomes (e.g., standardized measures, social validity, and clinical observations) to determine the effectiveness of RT-SLP interventions 3. Apply at least two evidence-informed RT strategies to promote social interaction, peer relationships, and generalization of skills in real-world settings.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Community
Higher Education
Research
Schools
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1658d201c835530813a88b147c38e5f1.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Kristen Fedesco, Longwood University")
Kristen Fedesco, Longwood University
Biographical Information
Kristen Fedesco, PhD, LRT, CTRS is an Assistant Professor of Therapeutic Recreation at Longwood University with more than two decades of experience as a practitioner, educator, and policy leader. She has worked extensively with children and young adults with disabilities in school and community settings. Her research explores social engagement and inclusion among neurodiverse individuals, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Fedesco remains active in state and national professional organizations and is dedicated to advancing the field through leadership, policy, and community engagement.
Co-Presenter/Panelists
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f20d49f771b028742f42fe68b20bc350.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Joan Esse Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, Eastern New Mexico University")
Joan Esse Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, Eastern New Mexico University
Credentials
PhD, CCC-SLP
Biographical Information
Joan Esse Wilson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Human Services, Communicative Disorders at Eastern New Mexico University and a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico. Her research centers on social communication and the cognitive, emotional, and interactive processes that shape social behavior. Additionally, she has more than 15 years of experience as an early intervention and school-based speech-language pathologist.