Laura is a Child and Youth Practitioner (Algonquin College, Advanced) who brings a wealth of experience working with children and youth to her position as a Classroom Facilitator in the Entry to School program. She prides herself on working from a strengths-based perspective, using compassion and connection to encourage the children she works with to reach their fullest potential.

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Lauren holds a Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto. She also has a certificate in American Sign Language (ASL), has completed continuing education on using Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) with children who use echolalia and those who are non-speaking and is also an Individual Authorizer for Communication Aids with the Assistive Devices Program (ADP).

Since starting her SLP career, Lauren has worked with both children and adults with a range of developmental disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She has a particular interest in Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) and worked at an interdisciplinary General Level clinic implementing all forms of AAC. She has also had the opportunity to develop and deliver trainings to parents and clinicians. Previously, Lauren worked as an educator-therapist using the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and has over 8 years of experience working with autistic children and adults. At ACT, she splits her time between private practice and the Entry to School Program.

In her spare time, Lauren enjoys discovering new places and new food. She always has a new creative project on the go and has most recently been learning to sew.

“Besides the great team of clinicians I get to work with, I love that ACT prioritizes family and child-centred care using an interdisciplinary approach. I believe developing a good working relationship with both the client and family is crucial to delivering holistic care that is specific to each individual.”

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

I would love to go to Iceland!

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

Probably a sloth – we can just hang out and be lazy together

What’s your favourite holiday?

Such a tough choice! It’s a toss-up between Thanksgiving and Christmas

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Lauren is a Registered Behaviour Analyst who holds a Master of Education in Psychological Counseling from the University of Ottawa. Lauren began working in the field of ABA in 2012 as an Instructor Therapist, where she provided ABA therapy to both individuals and groups in a variety of settings such as clinics, schools and in-home.

Since then, Lauren has held roles as a Senior Therapist, Supervising Senior Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and Manager of a clinical team within the clinical setting. Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) assessment and intervention is her strength and scope of practice. She particularly enjoys the creativity behind individualized programming to support her clients in reaching their goals. In more recent years, Lauren has become increasingly interested in ABA as it applies to the working environment and in 2020 obtained a specialist certificate in Organizational Behaviour Management. Lauren also holds a Level 5 certificate in Practical Functional Assessments and Skills-Based Treatment.

Lauren is passionate about supporting and collaborating with the families and staff with whom she works and approaches all relationships from a strengths-based and trauma assumed framework. When not at work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and friends, sitting on the dock at her cottage (weather permitting) and reading a good book.

“What stood out for me at ACT was the multi-disciplinary approach. Having BCBA’s, OT’s, SLP’s and Mental Health Specialists all under one roof is rare in the private therapeutic setting. I love the “one door” approach as it supports families in caring for their children.”

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

It’s hard to narrow down on one but I’ll pick Bali!

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?

Tacos

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Leidy holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Postgraduate Specialist Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disability with a BCBA verified course sequence at Cadiz University and ABA Spain. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus on Educational Psychology.

Leidy speaks English and Spanish and has experience working with children with disabilities, particularly those in vulnerable situations in her home country. She has designed programs aimed at ensuring caregivers can effectively apply interventions at home. During her training, she had the opportunity to work in schools and clinical settings, gaining valuable hands-on experience. With three years of professional experience, Leidy is passionate about research and enjoys exploring new insights in her field.

I chose ACT because it is a place where you can continue learning and growing due to its multidisciplinary approach.

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

Yellowstone National Park

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

Empanadas

Are you a morning person or a night-owl?

Morning

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Lina has extensive experience teaching ESL to toddlers and preschoolers and speaks both English and Arabic. She has also worked providing ABA therapy one-on-one, in group settings as well as in-school support as an educational assistant. Lina holds an Honours Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Toronto, as well as a Master of Psychology from the University of Liverpool.

“I admire the goal of the ETS program, and the mixed skills and talents combined to provide the best possible support for autistic children. I truly believe this program will have a huge positive impact on enabling autistic children with the necessary skills to succeed in school. Working with so many skilled and knowledgeable individuals from various fields has benefitted me in terms of knowledge and practice and enabled me to perform my job in the best possible way.”

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

Maldives

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

Monkey

What’s your favourite holiday?

Eid

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Lisa is the Executive Assistant at ACT. Lisa speaks both English and French and has been in administration for over 30 years. She has also worked in health services for the past 15 years.

“I work at ACT as I believe in helping families in their times of need and ACT does that. I love working in an office filled with the sounds of children playing and laughing.”

If you could have any exotic animal as a pet, what would it be?
I love Penguins and Polar Bears!

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

What’s your favourite holiday?
Thanksgiving

This post is also available in: French

Lynne holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education from St. Lawrence College. Before joining the ACT teams, Lynne operated a home-based childcare program for 16 years. Throughout this time, she consistently delivered developmentally appropriate enriching activities in all areas of child development. She then worked in the role of ECE educator with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. Working alongside teaching teams, she had many opportunities to deliver developmentally appropriate enriching activities to school-age children in both the classroom and in the Extended Day Program.

“I love being part of a multi-disciplinary team and making a positive impact in the lives of these little people!”

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

Monkey

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

Pizza

Are you a morning person or a night-owl?

Morning person

This post is also available in: French