Highlights of Qualifications

M. Applied Disability Studies candidate (Brock University)

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (Honours) Queens University

Senior Therapist for 6 applied behaviour analysis ( ABA ) programs based on Skinner's analysis of verbal behaviour

7 years experience successfully applying behaviour analysis techniques and principles to help children with autism both to increase and to reduce behaviours

Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development: participated in over 800 hours training in applied behaviour analysis (ABA) and discrete trial teaching (DTT) techniques

Experienced in helping create and deliver comprehensive training workshops to ABA/DTT therapists and parents

Extensive experience as lead therapist in the home and school setting

 

Workshops / Training

2008 (June) Food Acceptance
Half - day consultation with Mary Champagne

2008 (March) One day in-centre consultation with Dr. Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA

2008 (March) Twenty-two Language and Learning Barriers that can Affect Children with Autism: Assessment, Analysis, and Intervention 1 day workshop
Dr. Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA, Ottawa, Ontario

2008 (February) Food Acceptance
Half - day consultation with Evelyn Sparks

2008 (June ) Food Acceptance
Half - day consultation with Evelyn Sparks

2007 (September) Language Intervention for Children with Autism Based on the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (The VB-MAPP) 2 day workshop
Dr. Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA, Ottawa, Ontario

2007 (September) One day in-centre consultation with Dr. Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA

2007 (July) The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program: The VB-MAPP
Dr. Mark Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA, Lincroft, New Jersey

2007 (January) Applied Behavior Analysis for School-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Tristram Smith, Ph.D. One day workshop (Ottawa, Ontario)

2006 (January) Teaching Verbal Behaviour in the Natural Environment.
Cherish Twigg, M.S., BCABA, Jeniifer Donnelly, BA, BCABA. Two day workshop (Ottawa, Ontario)

2004 (August) Handwriting Without Tears-Prewriting and Early Printing Skills for Preschoolers
Jan Olsen, Occupational Therapist – Handwriting Without Tears. Half-day workshop (State College, Pennsylvania)

2004 (August) Beyond Establishing Operations.
Dr. Jack Michael, Ph.D, BCBA. Half-day workshop (State College, Pennsylvania)

2004 (August) Advanced Topics in Functional Analysis Methodology.
Dr. Brian Iwata, Ph.D, BCBA. Half-day workshop (State College, Pennsylvania)

2004 (August) Kaufman Speech Praxis Treatment Approach for Children
Nancy Kaufman, Speech-Language Pathologist, Kaufman Children's Centre for Speech, Language, and Sensory Disorders, Inc. Half-day workshop (State Collage, Pennsylvania)

2004 (March) Promoting Functional Speech in Children with Autism with emphasis on Kaufman Assessment and Strategies
Tamara Kasper, MS/CCC-SLP, BcaBA. One-day workshop (Toronto, Ontario)

2003 (October) Teaching Appropriate Social Behaviour to Children and Adults with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities.
Dr. Patrick McGreevy, Ph.D, BCBA. One day workshop (Toronto, Ontario)

2003 (October) Intensive Training in Verbal Behaviour; Teaching Language to Children and Adults with Autism and other Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Patrick McGreevy, Ph.D, BCBA. One day workshop (Toronto, Ontario)

2003 (October) Supporting Families Touched by Autism: Applied Behaviour Analysis Strategies for Parents and Professionals
Miscellaneous speakers: Dr. Sandra Harris, Dr. Lara Delmolino, Dr. David Celiberti, Joanne Gerenser, SLP. Two-day workshop (Ottawa, Ontario)

(June) Workshop #5 – Designing an ABA Classroom using Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behaviour
Kelle Wood, BCBA and Gina Zecchin (BCaBA) (Dr. Carbone's associates) Three day workshop (Albany, New York)

2003 (Jan) Workshop #3 – Advanced/Consultant training: Guiding the development and implementation of an intensive behavioural program for teaching language and basic learner skills
Dr. Vincent J. Carbone, BCBA. Two day workshop (Albany, New York ). (January 24 and 25, 2003)

2002 (October) Introduction to Verbal Behaviour: Teaching Communication Skills to Children with autism or other developmental disabilities
Dr. Vincent J. Carbone (BCBA); three-day workshop (Oakville, Ontario)

2002 (October) The Prevention and Treatment of Problem Behaviour, and Increasing the Social Language Skills of Children with Autism: Putting Research into Practice
Dr. Bridget A. Taylor, Psy.D., BCBA. One day workshop (Ottawa, Ontario) (October 5, 2002)

2002 (June) Workshop #4 – Teaching Verbal Behaviour: Hands of Training for Tutors and therapists
Chrish Richards, BCaBA, Holly Smith, BCaBA. Two day workshop (Oakville, Ontario)

2002 (May) Teaching Verbal Behaviour – One day workshop with Dr. V. Carbone(BCBA) (Ottawa, Ontario)

2001 (November) Teaching Play and Social Skills to Children with Autism. Workshop presented by Stacy Carroll B.S., BcaBA, Behaviour Analysts Inc. One day workshop (Oakville, Ontario)

2001 (June) Verbal Behaviour Approach to Applied Behaviour Analysis: Teaching Functional Communication to Children with Autism
Christina Burk, M.A. One-day workshop (Toronto, Ontario)

2001 (June) Verbal Behaviour Approach to Socialization and Integrated Playgroups
Christina Burk, M.A. One-day workshop (Toronto, Ontario)

2001 (June) Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis Principles
Keith Amerson, M.A. East Coast Regional Director for the U.S.A. based Centre for Autism and Related Disorders (C.A.R.D). Two-day workshop (Ottawa, Ontario)

2001 (May) Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis Principles
Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed. Spectrum Intervention Group. One-day workshop

Ongoing training and supervision in applied analysis and discrete trial teaching techniques
Lynne Thibodeau, Senior Therapist ( Ottawa, Ontario ) 700+ hours supervision

 

Relevant Skills and Accomplishments

Program Supervision:

As a senior therapist (Consultant) of intensive (30-45 hours per week) centre and home-based ABA programs my responsibilities have included:

Working effectively with a wide range of age and ability levels of children with autism:

children with autism ages 2.5 to 12 years

compliant and non-compliant children

verbal and non-verbal children

children with more severe and less severe cognitive impairments

Providing on-going clinical training and supervision to ABA therapists, through:

observation of sessions

minimum bi-weekly program review and team meetings

regular and frequent e-mail and phone contact with parents and therapists

Developing the program curriculum and writing of programs; Developing data sheets for various programs

 

Relevant Employment History:

2002 - June 2006 Senior Therapist, ABA Programs, private families for Spectrum Intervention Group under the supervision of Lynne Thibodeau M.Ed., (Ottawa)

2001-2005 Lead Therapist, ABA (Verbal Behaviour) programs (Ottawa)

Educational Assistant, private families (Ottawa)