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

This post is also available in: French

Mackenzie graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2015 with a Bachelor of Psychology. She continued her educated at the University of Western and achieved a Master of Professional Education with a Specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Mackenzie became a BCBA in 2020 and holds certifications in AIM and VB-MAPP, as well as level 4 PFB/SBT.

Mackenzie has been working with children with ASD for over 10 years. She has experience as an Instructor Therapist, Senior Therapist and Supervising Senior Therapist. In her spare time, Mackenzie runs a study prep program for individuals getting ready to write their BCBA exams. The program is called Study CABA (Study “Canadian Applied Behaviour Analysis”).

Mackenzie is extremely passionate about trauma-informed approaches to treating dangerous behaviour, developing individualized program goals, collaborating with other professionals and the training and supervision of staff.

“The multidisciplinary approach really stood out to me when I was considering employment at ACT. There are very few (if any) other providers in the Ottawa area that provide access to ABA, Speech and Occupational Therapy all under the same roof and within the same funding model. It is something that really sets ACT apart from other organizations and makes me very proud to be a part of it!”

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

Greece!

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

Penguin! I don’t really know why, but they have always been my favourite animal!

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

Anything Italian

This post is also available in: French

Since achieving her diploma in Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant, Madison has worked with preschool and school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. She strives to be able to help children meet their goals and ensure their sensory needs are being met, all while making it fun and engaging for them!

In her spare time, you can find Madison at the gym, going for long walks or spending time with friends and family!

“I choose to work at ACT Learning Centre because of the flexibility and the ability to collaborate with other professional disciplines. ACT allows me to learn from clinicians with a wide variety of professional backgrounds!”

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

Kangaroo

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

Pasta

What’s your favourite holiday?

Halloween

This post is also available in: French

Maggie is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who obtained her Diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2011. She is fluent in both English and French.

She has worked with children for the past 18 years in a variety of settings including a school board, centre-based care, home childcare and more. Maggie is especially passionate about teaching children to learn through play and believes strongly in the value of play as a key part of early childhood development. She loves creating fun, hands-on experiences that help kids grow, explore and discover new things while having fun.

When not working, Maggie loves to spend time with her husband and their two sons. She also enjoys swimming and reading.

This post is also available in: French

Mallory Skinner is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist with the province of Ontario. Since graduating with a Masters of Communication Sciences and Disorders from McGill University in 2020, Mallory has worked with toddlers, preschool, and school-aged children, and has particular experience working in the areas of autism and augmentative/alternative communication (AAC), as well as in parent coaching and education. She has completed the Meaningful Speech courses on gestalt language processing and gestalt and AAC, and enjoys working with children who use echolalia.

She loves finding creative ways for kids to express themselves and connect with others, and believes in the capacity of all children to learn, grow and develop in their own unique way. She is an advocate for neurodiversity and child-led therapy, and knows that therapy is most successful when the whole team around the child works together. A fun fact about Mallory is she loves to play several instruments, and has been known to bring her ukulele to sessions for kids to enjoy!

“I choose to work at ACT because their values (such as upholding principles of neurodiversity and respecting the whole child) align so well with mine, and because I love getting to collaborate so closely with other disciplines.”

This post is also available in: French

Maria is Registered Early Childhood Educator and has worked in a variety of different settings including summer camps, childcare centres and before and after school environments. Her interest in working with neurodivergent children was sparked at one of her first placements and has grown ever since. While working with ACT, Maria began to see and recognize her own neurodivergences which led to her finally receiving her own autism diagnosis last year.

She uses her own experiences and knowledge to create a welcoming and honest environment that allows children to embrace their unique selves while growing and preparing for the big world that awaits them. This is her third cohort with the ETS program, and she is excited to meet and journey with each new child who walks through the doors.

This post is also available in: French

Marie Cybelle speaks Kirundi, English and French and has experience working with children and young adults with ASD in many different environments. Marie also holds a Diplôma en Intervention Au près des personnes ayant un handicape.

“I work at ACT because the vision and values of the company, agree with the ideal environment in which I wanted to share my experience.”

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

Fruit

What’s your favourite holiday?

Christmas

Are you a morning person or a night-owl? 

Morning person

This post is also available in: French

Marisa has previous experience as a Medical Administrator, Office Manager and Medical Assistant. She has also held numerous customer service positions as a bartender, a beauty bar receptionist and a barista. Marisa prides herself in giving excellent service regardless of the setting. She also studied  Comedy Writing and Performance at Humber College and was previously a stand-up comedian.

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

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

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

This post is also available in: French

Marisa is a registered Occupational Therapist within the province of Ontario. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from Dalhousie University.

Marisa has previously worked in both community and private practice settings and has experience working with senior, adult, and pediatric populations. Marisa’s past involvement in the community has enhanced her capacity for creative practice. She has led sensory regulation and mindfulness-based groups and enjoys designing methods to convey information that is enjoyable and engaging.

In her spare time, you can find Marisa outside running, cycling and skiing.

“I was drawn to ACT Learning Centre as I wanted the opportunity to grow my pediatric practice experience and to work alongside an interdisciplinary team that values child led, client centered care. I look forward to collaborating with team members to best meet the needs of our clients.”

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

Patagonia

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

Pasta

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

Sea Turtle

This post is also available in: French

Marnie graduated with a Master of Social Work from Carleton University in 2007. Her career has focused on supporting 2SLGBTQIA folks and their families and families supporting individuals with lifelong chronic illness or disability.

For the last 10 years, Marnie has worked with individuals and families with autism and other neurodivergent needs. She strongly believes building relationships is the foundation for positive working relationships with staff, families and the greater community.

Marnie speaks both English and French and is certified in ACT, DBT Skills, CBT and Mindfulness.

“I really like the fact that ACT brings together supports for families from a multidisciplinary perspective.”

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

Hawaii

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

Honey Badger

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

Chocolate, obviously

This post is also available in: French

Megan is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and has been working in the field for 10 years. She has experience working in varying centres across Ottawa, primarily with children ages 1-6. She also worked as a Child and Youth worker with military youth ages 1-24. She is currently studying Supervision and Administration for ECEs in hopes of getting a better understanding of the world behind the classroom. In her spare time, you can find Megan with her two kids or curling up with a mystery novel!

“I chose ACT because they have a wonderful, supportive and inclusive environment. I love that they strive for a happy, safe and fun learning space for anyone who walks in their doors.”

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

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

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

This post is also available in: French

Meghan is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist and has been working in the field for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western and a Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology from McGill University. Meghan has completed Hanen Centre’s Learning Language and Loving it’ certification, as well as an ABA Certificate Course for Educators through the Geneva Centre for Autism.

Meghan’s passion is working with children and youth who have complex communication challenges (e.g., neurodiverse individuals, motor speech disorders, augmentative and alternative communication). She works to help children to improve their communication abilities, effectively express themselves and form connections with others. Meghan’s second passion is the great outdoors and traveling. She has camped in Northern Ontario for 15 days straight, traveled alone for two months in Southeast Asia, and lived and volunteered in Ghana for two months.

“I love working with neurodiverse children and youth who possess a range of abilities including unique talents and challenges, and ACT Learning Centre specializes in working with this wonderful population.”

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

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

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

This post is also available in: French

Melissa began her career in the field of ABA in 2016. She holds a Master of Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis and completed her certification as a BCBA upon joining the ACT team. Melissa enjoys collaborating with other professionals and using evidence-based interventions to assist young clients as they transition into the school system. When Melissa isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two teenage children and her wild Bernedoodle!

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

Sushi

What’s your favourite holiday?

Christmas

Are you a morning person or a night-owl?

Night-owl

This post is also available in: French

Melissa holds an Honours Degree in Kinesiology and Health Studies at York University and has experience working as a PTA for four years and helping individuals through their rehabilitation program. She has experience working with diverse populations and is motivated to empower young minds to reach their full potential. Melissa speaks both English and French and loves her Rottweiler, Zorro!

“I chose ACT Learning Centre because of their supportive team and I truly appreciate their multidisciplinary approach to supporting individuals.”

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

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

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Night Owl

This post is also available in: French

Mikaela started in the field in 2020 and joined the ACT team in February 2021. Mikaela holds an Honours Bachelor of Child Studies and a minor in Psychology. In October 2021, she completed her Registered Behavioural Technician (RBT) certification. She offers ABA and ESDM therapy to help children and youth achieve meaningful changes in their lives. She enjoys running, teaching her dog (Loki) new tricks and planning her next trip to Disney World

“ACT gave me the opportunity to continue to work and learn alongside a multi-disciplinary team, offering novel strategies and recommendations to better the lives of the clients I care for.”

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

Giraffe

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

Bacon

What’s your favorite holiday?

Christmas

This post is also available in: French