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Employment & Training

Clinical Staff

	Lynne Thibodeau, BCBA, M.Ed. Executive and Clinical Director Spectrum's Executive and Clinical Director, Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed, has a solid reputation in the local autism community as an advocate and professional. She has been supervising home and centre based ABA programs for children and teenagers with autism for the past ten years throughout the province of Ontario as well as overseas. In 1999, she created the AutismsupportOttawa list which is an e-mail list that reaches over 800 parents/professionals in the Ottawa area and beyond. Her passion for the field has lead her to complete five graduate level classes in ABA from North Texas as well as to complete 1500 hours of mentorship from Siri Ming, BCBA. She has travelled extensively through North America attending conferences and workshops. She presented research at ABA International’s annual conference in 2009. As Clinical Director at Spectrum, Lynne works closely with the Senior Staff in all aspects of program development and delivery. Her hands on approach allows her to share her vast knowledge and experience with all the Spectrum Staff and volunteers. She also shares her expertise with the community through the creation and delivery of workshops.
	Debbie Barbesin, MADS Debbie has been involved and worked with children who have autism for over 10 years. To understand more about disabilities and specifically autism and related disorders she completed a post-diploma certificate in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) through Algonquin College in 2005. Determined to learn more about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), she pursued a Master in Applied Disability Studies Applied Behaviour Analysis (MADS) from Brock University in 2011. Debbie has attended a number of workshops in both Canada and the United States to maintain current with research, techniques and practices in the autism community. She has been an active member of the autism community as the co-owner of the autismsupportOttawa list with Lynne Thibodeau. In 2002, Debbie created the Directory of Services for Individuals with Autism which lists information and services available in the Ottawa region along with contact information to access these services. She updates the directory on a regular basis and sends it out to the autismsupportOttawa list members as well as area professionals who provide it as a resource to their clients. She is dedicated to providing information about services available to families and is recognized as an advocate in the autism community. Debbie has worked with children ranging in ages from 3 to 16 with autism and related disabilities since 2005 as an ABA therapist. Most of her professional work has been supervised by Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed and Kristen Copeland, BCBA, MA. As a parent of two boys on the autism spectrum, she also brings a unique understanding and appreciation of the challenges faced by families who have children with autism.
	Emily Collins, B.A. Senior Therapist Emily originally graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BA, majoring in Psychology. She has been working in Ottawa, with children with Autism since 2004 and has been involved with Spectrum Intervention Group since 2005. She has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of learners in home, centre based and classroom settings during both 1:1 and group instruction. Through the years she has gained experience as an Instructor Therapist, Therapist Trainer, Team Leader, and now currently as a Senior Therapist. All of her work has been guided under the consistent and ongoing supervision of Clinical Supervisor Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed. and Kristen M Copeland, BCBA, MA. Emily shows dedication to her career through ongoing professional development, by attending many workshops on a wide range of ABA related topics. Her motivation to deliver quality programming has lead to continued education in the science of ABA, she is currently a student in the Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Florida Institute of Technology. Emily also has the pleasure of being involved in community education by presenting ABA workshops for parents and professionals in the Ottawa/Eastern Ontario area along with Lynne Thibodeau.
	Kristen M. Copeland, BCBA, MA Clinical Supervisor/Senior Therapist Kristen is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) who has been working with learners with autism for 10 years. She received her Master of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Arts Highest Honours (Psychology) from Carleton University. She has also completed Pennsylvania State University's Graduate Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis for Special Education (ABA) and 1500 hours of mentorship from Siri Ming, BCBA. In addition, she is a member in good standing of ONTABA and ABA International. For the past 8 years, Kristen has worked in collaboration with Lynne Thibodeau M.Ed and Spectrum Intervention Group, using the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behaviour (VB). Kristen is experienced with working with verbal and nonverbal learners of all skill level aged 2-16 in Ottawa and the surrounding area as well as internationally. While Kristen loves working with children of all ages, she is passionate in using the science of ABA to enhance the lives of school aged children, particularly teenagers. She creates functional programs for learners over ten to teach critical life, communication and community skills. She is dedicated to helping each learner reach their full potential and live as independently as possible. Kristen’s commitment to the science of ABA has led her to participate in numerous workshops across North America. She was a presenter at ABA International’s 34th and 35th Annual Convention, as well as being a guest lecturer for both Carleton University and Brock University. She is dedicated to helping improve the quality of services available to children and teens with autism and has supervised practicum students from Brock University's MADS program, as well as providing mentoring to those wishing to complete requirements to write the Board Certification exam. These endeavours allow her to share her passion for her job and learners. View Resume - click here
	Anne Frazer B.A. Honours Senior Therapist A graduate from the University of Guelph, Anne has been working in the field of ABA since 2006. Involved with Spectrum Intervention Group for much of this period, she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of learners ages 2 to 16 in home, school and social group based settings. Throughout her career, she has gained experience as an Instructor Therapist, a Lead Therapist, a Therapist Trainer, a Group Therapist and most recently as a Senior Therapist. All of her work has been supervised by both Lynne Thibodeau M. Ed and Kristen Copeland M.A. B.C.B.A. Anne is dedicated to the continuous learning and development of the children she works with. Her commitment to quality programming has lead her to pursue continued education in the field of ABA and she is enrolled in the Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Florida Institute of Technology. She also regularly attends workshops in ongoing professional development.
	Stephanie Germain, B.A.H., M.Ed., C.C.C. Senior Therapist After graduating magna cum laude in a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in psychology (B.A.H.), Stephanie worked privately for two years in home-based ABA programs with learners with Autism. Concurrently, she worked for two years as an integration aide with children with disabilities for the Western Quebec School Board in Gatineau, Quebec. To date, Stephanie has been involved with Spectrum Intervention Group for over three years in the capacity of an Instructor Therapist, Lead Therapist, and Group Therapist with learners of varying skills and ages. Stephanie is a dedicated and caring therapist and holds her learners and their education in the highest regard. Her passion and commitment to maximizing the potential of all the learners she has had the privilege to teach recently prompted Stephanie to continue her own education in the fields of mental health and education. She currently holds a Masters degree in Educational Counselling (M.Ed) from the University of Ottawa and was proud to present a poster on ethics at the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s (CCPA) May 2011 conference. She looks forward to the continued application of her skills in ABA and now counselling to her work with youth and families who have children on the Autism spectrum.
	Shawna Robinson, MADS Part-time Senior Therapist in Kingston and Belleville regions Shawna has been working in the field of applied behaviour analysis since 2007. In this time she has experienced working in direct service as an instructor therapist, as well as providing staff training, consulting to professionals in the public school system and designing and implementing home based programs. In addition to her professional experience in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis, she has also completed her Master’s in Applied Disability Studies from Brock University as well as a post-graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science from St. Lawrence College. She is a member in good standing of ONTABA and ABA International. Shawna has experience working with a wide range of learners including children with autism spectrum disorders, children with intellectual disabilities and typically developing children with severe behaviour disorders. She has worked with both verbal and non-verbal learners, ranging in age from 2 to 18 years of age. Shawna is committed to providing high-quality, functional programming for children of any age or ability. She continues to work towards improving the availability and quality of ABA services for children and adolescents in her community. Shawna has provided many workshops to professionals on the topics of ABA and treatment of challenging behaviours. She is currently working under the supervision of Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed., and Kristen Copeland, BCBA and is working towards certification. View Resume - click here
	Jackie (Chretien) Shore, B.Ed. Senior Therapist Jackie completed her B.A. (Sociology) from the University of Toronto and followed this education with a Teaching Degree from University of Ottawa's Bachelor of Education program in 2004. She had worked as an ABA therapist and, later, Senior Therapist in Ottawa for the last 8 years. Jackie is a Senior Therapist for Spectrum Intervention Group in-center programs and home programs in Ottawa and surrounding communities Her experience in providing services to over 40 children both at home and in-school settings as well as implementing programs ranging from basic learner curriculum to advanced programming has been consistently supervised by Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed. Jackie is deeply committed to both education and the field of Autism and advances this passion through ongoing training and regularly attending workshops. She has completed graduate level courses in Applied Behaviour Analysis through Brock University. Jackie is continually working towards further certifications within the field and is enrolled in the Applied Behavior Analysis program at Florida Institute of Technology. Jackie is also actively involved in community education initiatives by regularly presenting ABA workshops for parents and professionals in the Ottawa/Eastern Ontario area in co-operation with Lynne Thibodeau, M.Ed.