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

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Kate is a Registered Behaviour Analyst and has been working with children with autism and additional learning needs since 2015. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Human Kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University in 2019, and a earned a Master of Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Brock University, in 2021.

Kate has a passion for supporting learners in the development of life-long skills that are meaningful to them and their families. Kate has worked in diverse settings including schools, daycares, camps, interdisciplinary centres and in the community. She has experience as an instructor therapist, lead instructor therapist, and senior therapist.

Kate’s interest in the field of ABA began in high school where she worked at ABA summer camps and learned the significance of building fun into skill acquisition. She brings this value into her learners’ programming by promoting a safe, happy, relaxed and engaging environment, where optimal learning can take place.

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

Portugal and Sicily are at the top of my list!

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

An alpaca

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

Pasta

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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

This post is also available in: French

Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and has over 20 years of training and experience in pediatrics working in both school-based and community care. She has extensive experience addressing fine and gross motor development concerns, handwriting/written output, sensory processing and self-regulation.

In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys many outdoor activities including gardening, cross-country skiing and adventurous travel with her family.

“I am excited about being a part of the dynamic Entry to School Program team assisting each client in achieving their meaningful goals by working collaboratively with the children, their families, and their school team.”

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

I would love to paddle the Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories.

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

A chameleon

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

Definitely rice!

This post is also available in: French

Katie is the Site Manager of the Entry to School program in Kanata. She began her career working as a Behaviour Therapist providing 1:1 ABA therapy. She has also worked as an Educational Assistant with the OCDSB in a special education school where she found her passion in working in a group setting, supporting the needs of different students, and working closely with other professionals.

She has worked at ACT Learning Centre since 2021, where she began as Lead Classroom Facilitator with the very first cohort of Entry to School and is proud to see the program continue to grow and reach more families. Katie’s dream is to open a forest school for autistic children and adults, but for now, she is invested in the success of every child who enters her classrooms!

“Being a part of the first cohort of the Entry to School program was an opportunity I could not pass up. Working in a multi-disciplinary setting sounded like a great chance for growing my professional skills. This program is unique as it allows me to combine my passion for behaviour intervention while in a more natural setting.”

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

Chimpanzee

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

Baked beans on toast

What’s your favourite holiday?

Halloween

This post is also available in: French

Katie is a Registered Social Worker. She graduated from the Social Service Worker program at Northern College and continued her education through Algoma University to earn her Bachelor of Social Work degree this past spring. Before moving to Ottawa, Katie was a respite worker for 2 years in Timmins working with children aged 4-18 with diverse backgrounds.

This post is also available in: French

As a registered early childhood educator of 9 years, Katie has worked with many children ranging from 6 months-12 years. She is caring and companionate and connects with each child, to learn individual needs. Katie strives to include developmentally appropriate environments and activities while making sure all children are feeling safe and loved.

This post is also available in: French

Kristen holds a Social Service Worker Diploma and has experience as a Behavioural Counsellor, working with autistic children, as well as a Mental Health Worker with Algonquin College. Kristen was born and raised in Ottawa and is a cat lover!

I enjoy working in a field where I am helping children, being their supporter as well as their teacher. ACT does a perfect job of doing both of those things!

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

Panda

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

Pasta

What’s your favourite holiday?

Christmas

This post is also available in: French

Kristy is a Registered Behaviour Analyst and holds a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Arizona. Kristy began working in the field of ABA 20 years ago as an Instructor Therapist in a variety of settings (clinic, school and home-based programming, both direct 1:1 and group settings). Since that time, she practiced most roles offered within an ABA clinical setting, from Lead and Senior Therapist positions to management, training and clinical supervision.

EIBI (Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention) assessment and intervention is her strength and scope of practice, however, since her early days in ABA, she has progressed into more academic, executive functioning, adaptive and friendship development areas of practice. In more recent years, she has had the opportunity to support and collaborate worldwide with clinics and behaviour analysts in program development, data collection and measurement. When not fully immersed in the world of ABA, Kristy is enjoying downtime with her three children, family and friends, downhill skiing, paddle boarding or running to a yoga class.

“I work at ACT because of their dedication to a multi-disciplinary approach and positive work culture! I am delighted to be part of such an incredible team.”

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

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?
Pasta

This post is also available in: French