2026 Fall Conference

Beyond the Behavior: Comprehensive Assessment and Support for Social-Emotional, Behavioral, and Neurodevelopmental Needs
Date(s): November 4-6, 2026
Location: Hilton Columbus/Polaris
Sessions: Wednesday, Nov 4
AI in School Psychology: Navigating the Gray Areas Ethically & Effectively (Ethics)
Jessica Beckmann

Thursday, Nov 5
AM Sessions:
DEW Office for Exceptional Children Updates

From Reassurance to Resilience: Rethinking School-Based Consultation for Anxiety
Elana Bernstein, PhD

PM Session:
Reasonable Accommodations for Unreasonable Confusion: A Practical Guide to Section 504 (Ethics)
Erich Merkle, PhD

Friday, Nov 6
AM & PM Sessions:
Comprehensive Educational Autism Evaluation

OSPA Autism Task Force:
Lisa M. Saylor, M.S.Ed
Amy L. Wade, M.S. CCC-SLP
Andrea Jarosz, Ed.S., NCSP
Lynn DeMange, OTR/L, CAS
Brochure: Click Here
Pricing: Click Here
Registration Form: Click Here
Handouts: Click Here   (Will become available in early Nov)
Stipend Request: Click Here (No longer available - All Stipend funds have been awarded)
Hotel: Hilton Columbus/Polaris: Room Rates $182 (1 King Bed Executive Level with Sofa Bed) to October 12th or until sold out. Click Here to book online. SOLD OUT!
T-Shirts: We will be pre-selling $20 T-shirts with a new design for pick up at the conference (see brochure for details and order when registering for the Conference). Click to see the front and back designs. Orders must be placed by October 16th. And when ordering be sure to select the $9 shipping option if you are unable to pick up your t-shirt at the conference and would like it mailed to your home.
Autism Task Force Guide:

The ATF Guide is available for free on OSPA's website, but if you prefer a hard copy, you can order one for $20 to pick up at the Fall Conference. Orders must be placed by October 22nd. The printed Guidebook is PRE-ORDER ONLY and will be available for sale at the conference.  And when ordering be sure to select the $7 shipping option if you are unable to pick up your guide at the conference and would like it mailed to your home.

BRING A COLLEAGUE!  The OSPA Autism Task Force's session is designed for any related service provider who is involved with the educational identification of autism.  We invite OSPA members to bring team members at the discounted member rate.  Click HERE for more details!
Raffle Tickets: Get your raffle tickets early! Click Here to donate online to The Valorie Wolcott Mendelson OSPA Scholarship. It is one of OSPA’s efforts to support and increase the number of school psychologists in Ohio. This scholarship is offered to two students, based significantly on financial need in the amount of $5,000 each. Since its inception, OSPA has given $55,000 to students in Ohio! All the money in the scholarship comes from YOU! If donating online, the minimum donation is $20 (which equals 14 raffle tickets) but you are more than welcome to donate more! You can also mail a check to the OSPA office in any amount. Tickets are 1 for $2, 3 for $5, and 7 for $10. Finally, if you donate online be sure to bring your receipt to the conference. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Supervision Institute: This workshop will be happening on Wednesday, 11/4/2026 from 12:30-3:45 pm.  Click HERE for all the details!
MCE/CE Credits: Continuing education credits will be available each day: 2 ethics hours for Wednesday, 5.75 hours for Thursday (including 2.75 ethics hrs), and 4.75 hours for Friday. 

One graduate credit through Ashland University will be available for those who attend all of the Thursday and Friday sessions of the OSPA Fall Conference on both November 6-7.  Attendees can make arrangements upon checking in at the registration table on Thursday morning or alternatively register online anytime prior to the conference at: Register Now. The course # is: EDU 6145 Y1.  Please email Rob Kubick at TOSP@ospaonline.org with any questions.
Exhibitors: Vendors interested in an exhibitor table or other sponsorship opportunity during the Thursday and Friday conference sessions may request a form by emailing mail@ospaonline.org. Vendors are subject to review and will be granted space on a first come, first served basis.
Online Registration: