NYSOTA Conference

Queensbury, NY
October 24-25, 2025

Presentation: Got a Problem? Grab a Puppet! Using Role Play to Target Children's Therapeutic Goals

Presenter: Amy Coopersmith

Date & Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 9:00–10:15 AM

Format: Short Course | Content Area: Children & Youth

Puppetry is more than play—it’s a powerful, therapeutic tool. In this course, I’ll share how occupational therapy practitioners can use puppets and role play to help neurodivergent children solve problems, build social skills, and express themselves in a safe, creative way. The research outcomes have been transformative, with children and teens demonstrating greater motivation, engagement, and goal attainment upon using puppets.

Based on years of puppet-based interventions and feedback from over 300 OTPs, we’ll explore case studies, strategies, and hands-on materials to help you integrate therapeutic puppetry into your own practice.

Ready to bring a little magic into your sessions? Come join the conversation, craft your action plan, and leave with finger puppets and inspiration! We've got this!