Conference Presentations

A1 – Let’s Do More than Talk About Sex:  A Practical Approach for Rebuilding Intimacy and Sexuality following TBI

Speakers: Stacie Dertinger and Jane Savage

This presentation investigates the role of mental health and behavioural analytic strategies in addressing these issues, promoting a deeper understanding and innovative perspective on rehabilitation practices. The presentation employs a practical framework to explore sexual dysfunction patterns and predictors in individuals with ABI in line with clinical recommendations in the Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Adults with Moderate to Severe TBI. It enhances recovery outcomes by leveraging expertise in mental health and therapeutic interventions. This multifaceted approach offers actionable steps for practitioners to incorporate these evidence-based practices into their services.

A2 – Are We Doing All We Can to Optimize Recovery for Older People After Brain Injury? Understanding the Current State of TBI Care

Speakers: Judy Gargaro, Arman Ali, and Mark Bayley

Despite being at high risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI), older adults are often overlooked by research and implementation initiatives. A review of research and available healthcare system data was conducted as well as focus groups with persons with lived experience. There is a need for:
1) implementation of evidence-based fall prevention interventions and promotion of standardized fall risk and TBI screening protocols,
2) increased access to specialized rehabilitation,
3) effective management of long-term complications, ensuring person-centered, integrated primary care to improve quality of life and outcomes.

A3 – OCD Informed Practice: Techniques and Strategies for Treating OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) With TBI

Speakers: Jennie Cruickshank and Merrisa Little

OCD Informed Practice is a specific method of identifying and interacting with individuals experiencing OCD without requiring expert knowledge of the disorder or its gold-standard treatment. New onset OCD or those who have experienced it for years has the potential to sideline rehabilitation efforts. Grounded in purposeful screening and a staged model of care, OCD Informed Practice meets both the client and rehabilitation provider wherever they are in their current knowledge of OCD, empowering both parties to make fully informed treatment decisions without causing undue harm to the client.

A4 – Building Awareness and Service Provider Capacity for Intimate Partner Violence-Related Brain Injury in Canada

Speakers: Amy Moore, Lin Haag and Angela Colantonio

The intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and brain injury (BI) has been overlooked in research, practice, and policy, despite the known risks. A lack of IPV-BI awareness, gaps in screening, and unique barriers to healthcare and social service provision leave survivors undiagnosed and/or unaware of their BI. The project being reported on is refining a system of care framework for health care professionals and other service providers and has created a national answer in the form of the Canadian Centre for IPV-BI, a centralized, online hub where people can access information, research, resources, and experts. This session is intended to deliver education and resources to create consistent knowledge and awareness of IPV-BI to frontline workers from a variety of sectors.

A5 – Rising Through the Wreckage: A Journey of Healing, Hope and the Power of Perspective

Speaker: Siobhan Lacey-Chow

Siobhan Lacey-Chow’s powerful story is a testament to the transformative power of grit, perseverance, and intentional mindset, showing that no matter the adversity, we have the strength and resilience to rewrite our own narrative- turning life’s toughest challenges into opportunities for growth, healing, and personal IMpowerment, ultimately proving that when there’s a will, there is truly always a way to create a life filled with purpose, limitless potential, and the IMpowerment for ourselves and others.

A6 – Beyond the Standard of Care: Partnering with Rehab Professionals to Champion Innovative Treatments for Brain Injury Survivors

Speakers: Brian Cameron from Oatley Vigmond LLP, Joseph Cescon from McLeish Orlando Lawyers and Matt Sutton from Thomson Rogers LLP

Join PIA Law for an empowering session on advocating for innovative brain injury treatments within the insurance system. Learn how legal and healthcare professionals can collaborate to overcome barriers to care, influence insurer decisions, and improve outcomes. Through case studies and practical strategies, discover how your voice and documentation can drive access to cutting-edge rehabilitation and shape the future of brain injury support.

B1 – From Consumer to Producer: Making Meaning to Make a Life

Speaker: Tim Feeney

Coming soon!

B2 – BrAIn AId: Empowering Brain Injury Survivors Through AI-Powered Assistive Technologies

Speakers: Jeff Chartier and Lynda Abshoff

BrAIn AId is an innovative pilot groundbreaking initiative by the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington (BIAWW) that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to empower individuals living with brain injury. Recognizing that survivors often face cognitive, communication, and accessibility challenges and that historically, people with disabilities have lagged in benefiting from technology and responding to long-standing gaps in accessible technology, the project creates inclusive, user-centered digital tools tailored to survivors’ unique cognitive and communication challenges.

The session will demonstrate co-designed prompting guides and intuitive digital interface that are reducing barriers to independence, improving day-to-day function, fostering long-term inclusion and systemic change, offering a replicable model for other organizations and communities.

B3 – Functional Neuroimaging: An Objective way to assess mTBI

Speakers: Christopher Collins and David Corey

One of the greatest challenges facing patients who have had a mild to moderate TBI is that their CT or MRI may score normal despite the existence of a brain injury. Moreover, neuropsychological testing is not sensitive to mTBI either (e.g. Bigler, 2025). The field of functional neuroimaging, exemplified by functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), addresses this challenge. It provides objective evidence of brain dysfunction, which helps patients to establish the validity of their post-concussive complaints and helps to better tailor treatment for those suffering this previously invisible problem.

The legal systems rarely keep pace with scientific and medical advancements.  The objectives of this part of the presentation are:

• How have the Courts in Ontario and US jurisdictions dealt with advanced imaging techniques so far, and what approaches can we expect Courts to take in the future
• What are the Defense arguments against the use of advanced imaging
• How can advanced imaging be used to support or prove the existence of brain injury in the Court room and before the LAT (License Appeal Tribunal)

B4 – A Suicide-Specific Examination of Strokes as Acquired Brain Injuries: Expanding Our Narrative to Improve Assessment and Outcomes

Speaker: Cheryl Vanderveen

Strokes are acquired brain injuries that vary in severity, impact and symptoms.  Many occur in the frontal lobe of the brain, impacting emotions, self-control, voluntary movement, language and rational thought.  Research indicates that almost 4 out of every 1000 individuals die by suicide within 5 years post-stroke.  New suicide-specific research offers insight into the potential relation between ABI and suicide.  Research is needed to examine how deficits in cognitive skills and ability, as well as changes in behaviour, personality, and mood may contribute to increased risk of suicidality.  Multidisciplinary collaboration, education and improved assessments are vital.  Lived experience is shared.

B5 – Consideration for Providing Trauma and Violence Informed Care for People with Brain Injuries

Speaker: Catherine Wiseman-Hakes

The experience of sustaining a brain injury is not only a physical trauma, but an extreme emotional trauma for the individual and their loved ones. Moreover, many people with brain injuries have prior experience of trauma. Despite this, most rehabilitation practitioners are not trained in providing trauma (and violence) informed care (TVIC) and thus may lack the knowledge and skills to avoid retraumatizing or causing emotional harm, despite their best intentions. This workshop will provide an overview of TVIC, the impact of trauma on recovery, and clear evidence and best practice informed guidance on how to apply TVIC across settings. 

B6 – Advancing Equity in Brain Injury Care: Addressing Systemic Barriers and Enhancing Rehabilitative Outcomes

Speakers: Maryam Yusuf and Sophia Simmons

Acquired brain injuries (ABI) affect individuals, families, and communities, yet access to care remains unequal due to systemic and social barriers. This presentation explores how Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles can improve ABI care by addressing disparities in access, outcomes, and long-term support. Using demographic data, case studies, and practical strategies, we’ll highlight how culturally responsive, community-based approaches can enhance rehabilitation and engagement. Attendees will gain tools to implement inclusive practices and reduce barriers for diverse populations affected by ABI.

C1 – Decoding Depression: Understanding Biochemistry Influences with Depression and Strategies to Address It

Speaker: Kylie James

Learn how underlying biochemistry-from systemic inflammation to methylation pathways and how gut microbiome health plays a crucial role in mental wellness and discover evidence-based natural solutions.

Key points discussed:
How inflammation in the body contributes to depression, with research insights and practical solutions. The role of methylation and essential nutrients in mood disorders. The gut-brain connection and its impact on mental health.  Three amino acids to improve mood and motivation naturally. Strategies to enhance dopamine for motivation.

C2 – Innovative Solutions for Returning to Work After ABI: Empowering Employees Through a Person-Centered Approach

Speakers: Mackenzie Klauck and Gillian Cattle

Returning to work after an ABI not only requires adaptation but innovation. This presentation will provide an overview of the current landscape of returning to employment after an ABI, strategies to support clients, considerations for return to work plans and highlight available support. Attendees will gain insight into how a person-centered approach can support clients to achieve their goals of returning to work.

C3 – Navigating Grief and Loss: The Impact of Acquired Brain Injury on Family Dynamics and Support Mechanisms

Speakers: Jane Savage and Stacie Dertinger

Acquired brain injury impacts entire families, causing grief and stress for caregivers who often lack sufficient support; tailored therapeutic interventions like ACT can help families adapt, accept losses, and build resilience. Incorporating strategies such as defusion exercises, ACT empowers caregivers to manage challenges and improve overall family well-being.

C4 – “I’m Glad You’re Alive.” Survivors’ Stories of Leaving Intimate Partner Violence While Brain Injured, and the Embodied Experience of Rebuilding Life and Relationships Post Violence

Speaker: Robyn Mahood

Relationships are vital to well-being, but survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with brain injury (BI) face unique barriers to leaving violent relationships and forming new, non-violent connections. This qualitative study used storytelling methods, alongside intersectionality and critical disability theories, to explore survivors’ experiences of rebuilding their lives post-violence. Findings highlight that social supports are crucial for rebuilding relationships post-violence, while our institutions and their policies have been shown to negatively impact survivors’ recovery. By amplifying survivors’ stories, the research offers trauma-informed, survivor-centered support strategies and recommendations.

C5 – A National Strategy for Canada: Advancing Brain Injury Advocacy

Speaker: Michelle McDonald

This presentation will explore the complex nature of brain injury and the urgent need for a national strategy in Canada. It will cover ongoing advocacy with the Government of Canada and highlight national and international efforts to recognize traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a chronic condition—strengthening research, policy, and public health. By prioritizing brain injury, we can drive systemic change and ensure individuals and families get the support they deserve.

C6 – Addressing Persisting Symptoms Following Concussion: A Collaborative Approach to Evidence-Based Guidance with the Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion

Speakers: Jennifer Dawson and Nick Reed

This presentation will highlight how the guideline and targeted knowledge translation efforts aim to improve clinical care and patient outcomes following a concussion in pediatric patients. This initiative seeks to align KT products and implementation strategies, ensuring that up-to-date guidelines reach all interest holders across the country. Continued collaboration with individuals affected by concussion remains essential and helps refine resources, address emerging concerns, prioritize research directions, and ensure that not only the latest evidence but also the patient voice is integrated into care practices.

D1 – From Murky to Measurable: How the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) Brings Rehabilitation Goals into Focus

Speaker: Deidre Sperry

Rehabilitation after brain injury is often seen as a “black box” due to the use of unclear terminology and the lack of clear links between therapy activities and patient outcomes. If our interventions seem “murky” to others, that can impact how people living with a brain injury, their families and those funding the programs, know the path ahead? Although new to Ontario, the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) was launched over a decade ago to bring focus, specificity, and clarity to intervention planning and delivery. Around the world, the RTSS is transforming the way clinicians and researchers are viewing, practicing, and documenting rehabilitation. Using real world examples, this session explores how the RTSS improves transparency, goal setting, and outcome measurement and emphasizes how being specific empowers clinicians and enhances interdisciplinary collaboration.

D2 – Yoga Therapy in Action: A Survivor-Caregiver Collaboration Transforming Brain Injury Recovery

Speakers: Jayne Hembruff with Leela Taggar & Sheilah Laffan

This session explores trauma-informed yoga therapy as a transformative, community-driven tool in acquired brain injury (ABI) recovery. A survivor-caregiver trio—two ABI survivors and a long-distance caregiver—share their lived and professional journeys, blending yoga therapy, caregiving insight, and academic research. Attendees will gain practical tools, emotional perspective, and renewed hope for accessible, survivor-led neurorehabilitation.

D3 – “Please Understand Me”: What Brain Injury Survivors Want Their Loved Ones to Know About Cognitive-Communication and Auditory Processing Changes and Challenges

Speakers: Paige Pierozynski and Elizabeth Skirving

This session, co-presented by an audiologist and a speech-language pathologist will explore what clients say about what their partners, spouses, families and friends understood about the real-life impact of persistent symptoms following concussion.

D4 – Beyond Recovery: Making Sense of the Long-Term Realities of Acquired Brain Injury

Speakers: Judy Gargaro and Lauren Hough

The voices of those with lived experience are essential to understanding the long-term impacts of brain injury. In this presentation, we’ll share survey results from OBIA’s Brain Injury Impact Study that reveal the lived experience of brain injury in the community. More than 2,000 individuals living with a brain injury and their caregivers participated. The findings create a picture of ongoing unmet needs, underscoring persistent gaps in care and highlighting a critical need for comprehensive long-term medical and community support systems. These insights call for meaningful policy change and improvements in practice to better support those living with the effects of acquired brain injury.

D5 – Integrating Financial Counselling into Neurorehabilitation and Mental Health Recovery: An Evidence-Based Approach

Speakers: Daniel Carroll and Maria Campanella Kabak

Financial stress is associated with increased psychological distress, delayed functional recovery, and reduced adherence to treatment. Integration of financial counselling—encompassing services such as debt management, resource navigation, and financial literacy—has been associated with improved psychological outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and decreased reliance on acute care services. In this presentation, we will briefly examine the above-state facts and supporting evidence and demonstrate how practitioners can assist their patients/clients by integrating financial counselling into recovery-oriented care frameworks. A condensed review of the process through case studies will demonstrate how practitioners can seamlessly integrate these tools into their practices and improve their clients/patients quality of life in a largely overlooked area of treatment and care.

D6 – Parenting with an ABI: Supporting Our Caring Children

Speaker: Alicia Pinelli

There are over 1.9 million Young Caregivers within Canada, children and youth between the ages of 5 and 25 who provide care or support to a loved one with a diagnosis, such as a parent with an acquired brain injury (ABI). Due to being in this caregiving role, young caregivers experience a unique set of challenges compared to their non-caregiving peers, which can be difficult to navigate. In this session we are looking to build up the knowledge and support for parents, and those supporting parents, with ABI’s on how to navigate these challenges and support their children. This will be done through three main objectives: explore the unique parenting challenges that individuals with ABI diagnoses face, exploring the differences between parenting young caregivers compared to non-caregiving children and youth, and building a toolbox of strategies, activities and support for young caregivers, and their parents and loved ones with an ABI, to access moving forward.