Date and Time: January 14, 2026 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Eastern Time

Webinar Description:
This webinar centres on research that was co-designed with autistic people about how their experiences of burnout, inertia, meltdown, and shutdown (BIMS) impact occupational participation. An overview of BIMS and their role in autistic people’s daily lives will be provided. Factors that autistic people identify as affecting BIMS and occupational participation will be explored, including energy levels, feeling stuck, the need to rest, avoidance, inadequate occupational balance, and societal barriers.

By the end of this webinar you will:

• Understand the definitions of burnout, inertia, meltdown, and shutdown in this context.
• Describe how BIMS impact occupational participation, from the perspective of autistic people. 
• Challenge ableist, deficit-framed notions of autistic people’s occupational participation.
  
   

Presenters:
Dayna Goldfarb, OT Reg. (Ont.) completed a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies from Carleton University. She is currently practicing as an occupational therapist in the field of return-to-work planning and mental health. They have completed additional training in persistent pain management and cognitive behavioural therapy in occupational therapy. Prior to occupational therapy, Dayna gained 10 years of experience working with children, with a recent focus on therapy and research with autistic children and adults. 

Dr. Christie Welch, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.) is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. Her research strives toadvance a better understanding of autism based on knowledge and perspectives of autistic people. Her primary research focus is Autistic Burnout, Inertia, Meltdown, and Shutdown (BIMS). The BIMS model put forward by her research has offered allistic parents, clinicians, and educators a new neuro-affirming way to understand and support autistic people. Her research team has co-designed BIMS support tools with autistic children, youth, and adults - leveraging their experiential insight to create customizable and helpful supports.

Fees: (All fees are plus HST)

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The presentation will be recorded and will be available to watch on OSOT's Archived Webinars page shortly after the event.