Karen has experience working with children and individuals with various speech and language disorders. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Cognitive Science of Language, and Sociology from McMaster University, as well as a Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) Graduate Certificate from St. Lawrence College.

Karen has had the opportunity to work with The University Health Network in their Adult Alternative and Augmentative Communication clinic. She worked as an Educator-therapist implementing ESDM therapy for young children for three years, before transitioning to ACT. As a PLAY Consultant, she supports parents and caregivers to develop joyous, meaningful engagement with their child. She continues to expand her skill set by supporting children as an Occupational Therapist Assistant. Karen speaks English and Spanish and loves dogs. She owns a two-year-old trouble-making German Shepherd.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ice cream

What’s your favourite holiday?

Christmas

Are you a morning person or a night-owl?

Morning person

Jenna has extensive experience providing ABA therapy in-home and clinic settings. She also has experience providing programming, assessments and client intake. Jenna holds a Bachelor of Arts – Sociology, an Autism and Behavioural Science certificate and is currently completing her PLAY Consultant Certification. Jenna is a Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) with the BACB. As the Assistant Manager for the PLAY Project at ACT, Jenna combines her clinical and administrative experience while supporting the team to provide the best services possible. On the weekends, you can find Jenna sitting around a table playing a board game with friends.

“When I was offered a job in the PLAY Project at ACT, I decided to take the leap and learn more about developmental approaches for supporting children with Autism. The team at ACT is so supportive and encouraging in every aspect and a positive work environment is so important to me. I’m glad I made the change!”

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?
Elephant, hands down.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza

What’s your favourite holiday?
Christmas

Emma graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Psychology and Linguistics and went on to receive a Master of Educational Psychology. She also holds diplomas in both Early Childhood Education and Applied Behaviour Analysis from Algonquin College.

Emma has extensive experience working with children with special needs, including coordinating life skills programming, social activities and respite workers. She also grew up with siblings on the autism spectrum. In her spare time, you can find Emma drawing and painting.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Greece

What’s your favourite holiday?
Halloween

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning person

Julie Tessier is a registered Occupational Therapist (OT) with the province of Ontario. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics and completed a Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy in 2019. She provides Occupational Therapy services in both English and French. In addition to providing assessments, interventions and consultations in private practice, Julie is also part of many projects such as a registered PLAY consultant for the Play Project, a member of the supervisory team in the Entry to School (ETS) Program and a mentor for the Secret Agent Society (SAS) research project.

Julie’s love of helping kids has led her to acquire several years of experience working alongside experienced pediatric therapists. For the past eight years, she has worked with children on the autism spectrum in different settings. She has skillfully assisted with integration in day cares, has developed and led social groups as well as summer camps, provided respite services to families. She continues to pursue her passion as an Occupational Therapist with a special focus on working with children of all ages.

Julie aspires to help children gain independence in their everyday activities as well as work in an interdisciplinary setting. Julie provides quality interventions that emphasize promoting the child’s motivation and engagement within activities of their daily life. Julie is highly motivated to grow and develop as a therapist as she and completed various trainings.

In her spare time, Julie loves to travel, spend time outdoors, participate in various sports and being surrounded with her friends and family.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Iceland

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Stir fry

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?

Goat

Jessica graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma of Early Childhood Education in 2017 and is a Registered Early Childhood Educator under the College of ECEs. She speaks English and French and has worked with children for over 10 years. She has been a Registered Early Childhood Educator for the past five years. Throughout her career, Jessica has provided children with a safe learning environment where they could develop their skills and learn through play.

I am passionate about learning more about early child development and different techniques and strategies that I can implement to help children progress and become successful. I am grateful to be a part of the Play Project where I can pass down my knowledge to families so that they as well can learn these techniques and strategies and be a part of their child’s learning journey.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Australia

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?

Lion

What’s your favourite holiday?

Christmas

Kathleen holds an Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Diploma from Algonquin College. She has experience working with children in a variety of different environments. In her spare time, Kathleen loves baking and spending time hiking or doing something active with friends.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Stirfry

What’s your favourite holiday?
Thanksgiving

Are you a morning person or a night-owl?
Morning person

Hayley holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology from Trent University and a Communicative Disorders Assistant post-graduate certificate from Durham College. She is currently working towards her PLAY Project certification. Hayley has been working with children from the age of four and under with autism spectrum disorder and their families since 2021, mainly as a PLAY Project Consultant with the PLAY Project. She has a passion for helping families better communicate and play with their children. In her spare time, Hayley enjoys spending time with her family and friends, spending time in nature and baking all kinds of goodies! She also loves cats, and you can often find her hanging out with her cats Ruby and Blossom.

“I choose to work at ACT Learning Centre because ACT has a focus on helping children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. ACT has a wide range of services available for families and a wonderful team of clinicians who have so much knowledge!”

If you had to have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza or any kind of cheesy pasta!

What’s your favourite holiday?
Halloween and Christmas – I can’t choose!

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning person

Mackenzie holds a Developmental Service Worker Diploma as well as a Communicative Disorders Assistant Diploma both from Durham College. She has had previous experience working as a CDA, as well as a Play Project Consultant.

“I chose to work with ACT Learning Centre because of the great intradisciplinary team that offers a wide variety of support and services. ACT is a great place to work as it can allow me to learn about other types of services so I can be a well-educated and well-rounded clinician.”

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Greece

If you could own any exotic animal, what would it be?
Elephant

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
French Fries

Corrie holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Algonquin College and speaks both English and French. She has been working in childcare for the past 10 years, primarily with children between the ages of three and five. For the past few years, Corrie gained experience working with children on the spectrum and developmental delays. In her spare time, you can find Corrie with her four kids, dogs or reading!

“I choose to work at ACT Learning Centre because I have a love for child development and wanted to choose somewhere where they do meaningful work.”

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Thailand

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?
Wallaby

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta

Rebecca Nishimura is the Director of Speech-Language Pathology and the PLAY Project. She is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist with the province of Ontario. Since graduating with a Master of Communication Sciences and Disorders from McGill University in 2019, Rebecca has worked primarily with preschoolers and school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders and receptive/expressive language difficulties. She emphasizes finding meaningful ways to target communication with her clients by including their interests and using therapy activities that mirror real-life needs as much as possible. Rebecca provides direct therapy and consultation to support children’s communication skills across settings and modalities.

“I work at ACT because I love collaborating with and learning from other disciplines. I feel like I learn something new every day!”

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Raspberries

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Japan

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?

Red Panda

Sabina holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc.) — Majored in Child, Youth and Family Studies, Minored in Psychology a Master of Counselling Psychology and is a standing Member of the OACYC. Sabina is also certified in Mental Health First Aid and speaks English, French and Polish.

Sabina has experience facilitating play therapy using the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) for children on the autism spectrum, providing respite work for individuals with neurodiverse backgrounds, working in a group home for adults with autism and working at a visit centre, supervising visits between children and their families. In her spare time, you can find Sabina playing with her dog, going for hikes, relaxing on the beach or playing board games with some friends!

“I have always had a passion for working with children. ACT gives me the chance to make a difference in the lives of local families while giving me opportunities to grow personally and professionally.”

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?
Elephant

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Perogies

What’s your favourite holiday?
Thanksgiving

Ashley holds an Honours Bachelor with Distinctions in Linguistics with a Minor in American Sign Language and Psychology from Carleton University. She also holds a Communicative Disorders Assistant Graduate Certificate from St. Lawrence College and has completed PECS Level 1 Training.

Ashley completed a 14-week placement in the Western Quebec School Board working with children with diverse needs (e.g., high-tech communication boards (Proloquo2Go), DLD, autism, apraxia, Noonan Syndrome and others). In this placement, Ashley independently ran sessions, chose session activities, and created therapy materials and lesson plans.

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?
An Axolotl

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tacos

What’s your favourite holiday?
Halloween