Senior Therapist
khunt@portialearning.com

Highlights of Qualifications

Enrolled in Behaviour Analysis coursework, University of North Texas, Texas, U.S.A., 2008

Basic Behaviour Principles, University of North Texas, Spring 2008

Techniques in Applied Behaviour Analysis, University of North Texas, Fall 2008

Introduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis, Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario, 2006

B.A. (Psychology), University of Ottawa, 2005

Six years of experience successfully applying behaviour analysis (ABA/VBA) techniques and principles to help children with autism and PDD, both to increase and reduce specific behaviours.

Extensive experience as a lead therapist working with children of a variety of ages and learning stages (from early learners to advanced learners) in the home and school setting under the supervision of Lynne Thibodeau M.Ed.

Commitment to ongoing training and professional development in the field of autism and ABA.

Skilled in helping present ABA training workshops to instructor therapists and parents

Workshops / Training

2009 (Nov) Advanced Learner Workshop

2009 (Apri) CPI Training

2009 (Mar) Teaching Verbal Behaviour in the Intensive Teaching Environment
Cherish Twigg, MS, BCBA and Holly Kibbe, MS, BCBA Establishing Operations Inc. 2 day workshop (Ottawa)

2009 (February) Introduction to Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice. Kathleen Rooney (Ottawa)

2008 (November) A Behavioural Analysis of Eye Contact as a Language Pragmatic Skill and How to Teach It to Children with Autism. Dr. Vincent Carbone. BCBA (Toronto)

2008 (November) Increasing Following Instructions and Accepting "No" Through Teaching Interactions and Music Lyrics. April Wallace, Marie-Line Jobin, Gary Bernfeld, Pauline and Steve Harvey (Toronoto)

2008 (November) Ontario Benchmarks of Progress in Intensive Behavioural Intervention. Tracie Linblad, SLP., Dr. Nancy Freeman, PhD. (Toronto)

2008 (November) Effectiveness of Peer-Mediated Social Skills Training for Students with Autism: Prerequisites for Generalization. Carmen Hall, Michelle Servais, Charmaine Chadwick (Toronto)

2008 (October) Introduction to Oral Motor and Articulation Skills
Jacquee Glance, SLP

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

2008 (June) Establishing Operations Inc. Teaching Verbal Behaviour in the NET
Holly Kibbe, MS, BCBA and Cherish Twigg, MS, BCBA, 2 day workshop

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

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

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

2007 (January) Functional Approach to Assessment and Treatment

Brandon Herscovitch, M.S. A.B.A, BCBA (Ottawa)

2006 (August) Advanced Topics in Functional Analysis

Brian Iwata, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania)

Common Misconceptions in Behaviour Analysis

Jack Michael, Ph.D. (University Park, Pennsylvania)

Beyond the Early Learner: Teaching Advanced Skills to Children with Autism

Vincent J. Carbone, BCBA. (Pennsylvania)

Errorless Teaching: Pros and Cons. Patrick McGreevy, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania)

What Typical Language Development Can Teach Us About Language Training for Children with Autism. Mark Sundberg, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania)

2006 (July) The Lifesaver First Aid Course. St. John Ambulance (Ottawa)

2006 (February) Shaping Speech Production Skills in Children with Autism

Tamara Kasper, MS, CCC-SLP, BCaBA. One day workshop (Ottawa)

2006 (January) Teaching Verbal Behaviour in the Natural EnvironmentJennifer Donnelly, BA, BCaBA and Cherish Twigg, MS, BCaBA. Two-day workshop (Ottawa)

2004 (June) Workshop #1- Introduction to Verbal Behaviour

Dr. Vincent J. Carbone, BCBA. Three-day workshop (Ottawa)

2004 (January) Intoduction to Applied Behaviour Analysis Prinicples

Jennifer Close, M.A. East Coast Regional Director for the U.S.A. based Centre for Autism and Related Disorders (C.A.R.D). One-day workshop (Ottawa)

2003 (December) An Overview of Applied Behaviour Analysis: Teaching Skills to Children with Autism

Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed., Clinical Supervisor. Two-day workshop (Ottawa)

2002 (June) Experience Autism. Marcia Gragg, Ph.D., C. Psych. One-day workshop (Windsor)

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:

2007-present The Portia Learning Centre Inc.

2005- 2007 Spectrum Intervention Group (lead therapist)

2003-2008 ABA instructor therapist

2003 (summer) Autism Services Inc.

2000-2001 Family Respite Services