Autism

Guifre Calderer B.Sc, Behaviour Intervention Consultant (Team Leader)

Guifre has been working with children with autism in Intensive Behaviour Intervention programs since 1998. He has extensive experience implementing and developing programs through his work with Autism Partnership, Renfrew Educational Services and the COCDA. In addition to skills with traditional ABA programming, Guifre also has experience with the DIR model (Floortime). Guifre is currently working on his Masters of Education.

Henrietta Penney B.A.M.S.Ed, Clinical Advisor

Henrietta has been offering behaviour services for over 30 years.  Her expertise has been accumulated from education, supervision and hands-on experience.   Her detailed profile can be viewed at Autism qualified Service Provider ACTBC.  Henrietta has trained over 800 Behaviour therapist and provides Quality Assurance for several agencies.   She strongly believes that if a child is not learning then we have to change the way we are teaching.

Karina Frisque, B.A., Behaviour Intervention Consultant

Karina Frisque has been with the COCDA Autism Program since 2007.  Karina has a solid understanding of ABA principles and is committed to working with Children with Autism.

Erin Rodier, B.A., Behaviour Intervention Consultant

Erin has had the pleasure of working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families in Alberta and BC for 5 years. She started in the field as a Behavioral Interventionist working with children aged 2 to 18 with varying abilities and skills. She also had the opportunity to work in many different settings, from residential homes to early intervention.  Erin has been working at the COCDA since 2008 and is planning on starting her Masters working towards becoming a RASP provider in the future.

Stacey Jmaeff, Behaviour Intervention Consultant

Stacey Jmaeff graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Stacey returned to school and in 2010 graduated with Distiction from Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, Alberta with a Diploma in Speech Language Pathology Assistant.  Stacey education in Speech is a definite asset to the Autism Program.

Heather Maschek, Behaviour Intervention Consultant

Heather Maschek's experience and education as an Early Childhood Educator as well as her training in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis gives Heather a strong background to work with the children in the Autism Department.  She seizes every opportunity to implement these skills when working directly with the children.

Erin Campbell, MS-LP

Erin Campbell recently joined the Autism team in a consultative position.  The COCDA received funding from BC Gaming to fund this position and is excited to have Erin's expertise as a Speech Pathologist as part of the Autism Team.   Erin is also part of our Speech Early Intervention Team and you will find her profile under that department.

Case Management

Michelle Dickie, Case Management Consultant

Michelle Dickie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Sociology and a Minor in Psychology.  Michelle also holds a Certificate for Certified Educational Assistant.   She has worked at the Centre in the Autism Program as a Behavior Interventionist and a Behavior Intervention Program Consultant, the Infant Development Program and her current position as Case Management Consultant.

Jackie Shiosaki, Case Management Consultant

Jackie Shiosaki holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education with Special Needs and Infant Toddler and a Degree in Psychology with minor in Sociology.   She has worked with children and family in this community for over 20 years in various positions: daycare/preschool teacher, respite provider, supported child development assistant, Thompson Okanagan Autism program, behavioural intervention, School District #23 - teach assistant, and consultant for Special Needs Adoption.   Jackie currently holds two positions at the COCDA - Case Manager Consultant and Supported Child Care Development Consultant.

Counseling Services

Heather Pattison, Counselor

Heather Pattison graduated with a Masters Degree in Psychology (Antioch University, Seattle WA) and a Bachelors Degree in Sociology (Simon Fraser University).  Heather has a vast experience in children and family counselling.  Heather uses various approaches and interventions to tailor a treatment plan to meet each child's academic, social, emotional and behavioural goals.
 

Infant Development

Betty Teigen, IDP Consultant  (Team Leader)

Betty Teigen is a Registered Nurse and has been an Infant Development Consultant since 1980.  Betty has accessed professional development in Prematurity, Down Syndrome, Facilitating Speech and Language Development, Family Support, Typical and Atypical Growth and Development, Attachment as well as many other areas.  Betty has been a certified Infant Massage Instructor since 2007.

Anke Purnell, IDP Consultant

Anke Purnell has worked at the Child Development Center since 2007 as an Infant Development Consultant.  Anke has training in Early childhood Education and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Linguistics.   She worked as a preschool teacher for over 13 years and managed a preschool program for 5 years.   Anke had the opportunity to work for a preschool in Australia that served the needs of children with hearing loss.   Anke enjoys working with children and families and finds the work very rewarding.

Nikki Williams, IDP Consultant

Nikki graduated from Okanagan University College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998. She has been working with children in a variety of settings since 1995. Programs included  Afterschool Programs; School Districts in Kelowna and Calgary; Preschool Program for Children with Autism and Intensive Behavior Intervention Programs. Nikki has been working at the COCDA since 2005 and has stated that “It has been a wonderful learning experience working so closely with such knowledgeable professionals.”

Karen Hartley, IDP Consultant

Karen Hartley has worked with children and families for the past thirty two years.  Her post secondary education is in Early Childhood Education and Psychology.  Karen’s  work experience includes ten years as a  Child Development Program Supervisor,  2 years as a College Instructor for the Early Childhood Development Program and the last 20 years as an Early Intervention/Infant Development Consultant.  She has also worked with deaf children and adults and continue to be part of the Early Hearing Program team at the COCDA.  Karen’s passion continues to be, working with families who have children birth to three years old. 

Karin Hesketh, IDP Consultant

Karin Hesketh has her Masters degree in Child and Family Studies from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands.  Karin lived and worked in several different countries, including the Netherlands,  United States, Luxembourg and Indonesia. She has worked as an Infant Development Consultant at the COCDA since July 2009.

 

Occupational Therapy

Suzanne Lauzon, Occupational Therapist (Team Leader)

Suzanne Lauzon's career as an Occupational Therapist (OT) began in Ontario after graduating from the University of Western Ontario.   Suzanne has worked in the field of paediatrics with children from birth to nineteen years of age.  Prior to joing the COCDA in 2001, Suzanne worked at a variety of children's hospitals and school districts in five provinces.

Diana Kriel, Occupational Therapist

Diana Kriel graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University Stellenbosch (South Africa) in 1982 and obtained Canadian Occupational Therapy Certification in 1994, American Board certification in May 2002. She has 26 years pediatric experience in evaluating and treating children with a variety of neurological and developmental disabilities such as: down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, asperger syndrome, sensory processing disorders, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. International experience provided flexibility as a therapist, with client centered practice and providing therapy in a variety of settings, (schools, preschools, playground, home, daycare, and sensory integration clinic)   She has worked as a member of a transdisciplinary team, consulting to the child and family and providing community education on sensory integration and autism. Diana is certified in Sensory Integration testing, interpretation  and treatment.   Diana is a certified infant massage instructor. Infant development, promoting parent/infant bonding, and preventive therapy has been her primary focus while working with medically fragile infants in the United States.
 

Danielle Ponder, Occupational Therapist 

Danielle Ponder graduated from the University of Western Sydney, Australia with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in 2002.  Danielle has worked as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist in Australia, Canada and Ireland.  She has a variety of experience working with children aged birth to 18 years with diagnoses of learning difficulties, developmental disability, physical disability, autism, aspergers syndrome, and sensory processing disorders.   She has presented a research paper at the National Paediatric Occupational Therapy Conference in Brisbane, Australia in 2002.  Danielle is an enthusiastic therapist who is dedicated to helping children reach their maximum potential through occupational therapy using a family centred approach.

 

Physical Therapy

Carol Peter, Physical Therapist (Team Leader)

Carol Peter received her Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree from the University of Manitoba.  Moved to Kelowna in 1990 and has had the pleasure of working with the children and families at the COCDA since 1991.

Kim MacLeod, Physical Therapist

Kim MacLeod graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from Queen's University in 1994.  Earlier in her career she greatly enjoyed working with adults with strokes and brain injuries.  Prior to her current position at the COCDA she worked at BC's  Children's Hospital from 1995 until 1999.  She is particularly interested in helping children with neurological impairment.

Tracey White, Physical Therapist

Tracey graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy (B.H.Sc. P.T.)  Tracey has been with the COCDA since 1998.  Tracey is the head physiotherapist for the Hippotherapy Program.

Lanna Brydges, Physical Therapist

Since convocating from the University of Saskatchewan in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, Lanna has worked in a variety of settings including all hospital units, home care, and private clinics in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Germany.  Pediatric experience includes NICU, hospital and outpatient pediatrics and has now worked at the COCDA since 2007.  Lanna has Advanced Level 2 Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding Certification and works with the HATRC Program

Tasha Carmichael, Physical Therapist

 

Speech Language Pathology

Deni Skutshek, S-LP (Acting Program Director)

Deni Skutshek is a Speech Language Pathologist with over 25 years of experience.   She has an undergraduate degree from University of Northern Colorado in Deaf Education and a masters in Speech Language Pathology from San Diego State University.  Her areas of interest are hearing loss, sign language, cued speech and incorporating music into  intervention.

Erin Campbell, MS-LP

Erin obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Victoria and went on to complete the Therapist Assistant Diploma (studies in physiotherapy, occupational therapy and sppech-language therapy) at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, AB.  After working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant for the Capital Health Region, she completed her Masters of Speech-Language Pathology degree at the University of Alberta.  Erin joined the COCDA team in 2005 to provide early intervention services and is a Registered Autism Service Provider, as well as a current member of BCASLPA, CASLPA and CSHHPBC.

Cheryl Elsworth, S-LP

Cheryl graduated with a Master's of Science Degree in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology in 1999.  She worked in a number of pediatric settings including community health centers and specialized preschool before coming to the COCDA in 2006.  Cheryl has a special interest in working with children with Autism.  She has been involved in Autism Intervention since she was an undergraduate student and currently provides therapy and therapist/parent training services.

Diane Gretzinger, S-LP

Diane Gretzinger has been working with the COCDA as a Speech language Pathologist since 1996.  During the past few years, Diane's specific areas of expertise and interest have included Apraxia, Hearing Impairment and Augmentative Communication for children at risk for developing intelligible verbal language.  Diane is also a designated service provider for the Early Hearing Intervention Program at the COCDA.

Lucy Ruthven, S-LP (Team Leader)

Lucy Ruthven is a Registered Speech Language Pathology (M.Sc) with sixteen years of clincial experience providing assessment and intervention services to young children with a wide spectrum of communication needs, including children with complex medical, physical and developmental disabilities.   She is a member of CASLPA, BCCASLPA and RASP.  She is the Speech Pathologist on the Interdisciplinary CDBC Assessment Team (ASD stream).

 

Supported Child Development

Lana Kneeland, SCD Consultant  (Team Leader)

Margaret Blair-Cook, SCD Consultant

Margaret Blair-Cook has been employed with the Central Okanagan Child Development Association since 1993.  Prior to that, Margaret had volunteered in the Integrated Preschool at the Centre.  Her volunteer position put her on a new life path.   Margaret returned to school and received her diploma in Early Childhood Education.   She has worked in a young parents program with infants and toddlers, and in 1993 started at the Children's Centre Preschool at the COCDA where she discovered that exceptional children were her first love.   After the opportunity of acting as supervisor in the preschool for three years, Margaret entered the Supported Child Development Program and has been a Supported Child Development Consultant since 1996.

Cheryl Fralick, SCD Consultant

Cheryl Fralick has dedicated her career to working with children and their families for the past 30 years - 7 of which have been with the COCDA.   A diploma graduate of the Early Childhood Education with Special Needs and Infant Toddler, she has supervised in various integrated settings such as; daycare, preschool, and toddler programs.   She also worked as a Behaviour Interventionist in the COCDA Autism Program.   Cheryl has worked as a Supported Child Development Consultant since 2005.  She considers her work a privilege and enjoys the continuous learning growth, laughter and challenges that come with working with children and their families.

Terri Russell, SCD Consultant

Terri Russell has been employed with the Central Okanagan Child Development Association since 200.  Prior to the Supported Child Development Consultant position, Terri was a Supported Child Development Program Assistant for three years.   Terri graduated with her Early Childhood Certificate in 1996 from the University College of the Fraser Valley and has experience working in and operating family daycare, preschool, group daycare and out of school care.   Terri graduated in 2009 from the Okanagan University of British Columbia with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work with a Child Welfare Specialization.

Jackie Shiosaki, SCD Consultant

Jackie holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education with Special Needs and Infant Toddler and a Degree in Psychology with minor in Sociology.   She has worked with children and family in this community for over 20 years in various positions: daycare/preschool teacher, respite provider, supported child development assistant, Thompson Okanagan Autism program, behavioural intervention, School District #23 - teach assistant, and consultant for Special Needs Adoption.   Jackie currently hold two positions at the COCDA - Case Manager Consultant and Supported Child Care Development Consultant

 

COCDA Volunteer Board of Directors

2010-2011

President

Carol Meise / Manager, Cooper Medical Supplies

1st Vice-President

Rick Riley  / Health Administrator KGH (Retired)

2nd Vice-President

E.R. (Ted) Grimwood  / President, WASA Developments

Treasurer

Craig Gronsdahl / President, Fraser Financial Group

Secretary

Daphne Reynolds / Manager, DeDutch Restaurants

Directors

Donna Austin / Interior Savings

Brenda Bell / Reitred Teacher & Adjunct Prof. at UBCO

Paul Farina /Sr.Account Executive, Astral Radio

Blair Forrest / Pushor Mitchell LLP

Dr. Cliff Henderson / Pediatrician & Founding Member

Jean Lanoue / Manager, Premier Salons

Cal McCarthy / CEO SW Audio

Lauren Pisesky / Social Worker (retired) M.S.W.

Pam Wetterstrand / Instructor OK College - Early Childhood Education

 

 ADVISORY BOARD

Hugh Gloster / Superintendent of Schools - SD#23 

Dwanye Nittel / Inspiring Excellence Incorporated  www.inspiringexcellence.ca/

Philip MacDonald / Philip MacDonald Architect Inc. pma-architect.ca/