Dr. Melanie Penner Dr. Penner works as a developmental paediatrician performing developmental assessments, diagnosing autism spectrum disorder, and managing psychopharmacological treatment in children with complex behavioural challenges. Her research interests are in expanding and enhancing the care provided to children with autism spectrum disorder and their families in the community. | |
Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou | |
Dr. Jessica Brian For the past two decades, Jessica has played a major role in the Canadian infant siblings research program aimed at understanding the emergence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ongoing developmental pathways into adolescence. She co-led the development and evaluation of a very early intervention program for infants and toddlers with emerging ASD which is currently being implemented in the community. | |
Cathy Petta For the past 10 years she has also worked on the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) research and clinical project. For this project, she has provided care coordination for families and works on quality improvement initiatives. She was the sleep educator for the ATN sleep study; looking at effectiveness of parent sleep hygiene education in improving sleep in kids with autism spectrum disorder. She has now adapted this curriculum as a clinical program at Holland Bloorview. | |
Moira Pena Her research interests focus on how children’s function and participation in school and in home daily routines can be improved through the use of sensory processing strategies. Moira is a regular guest lecturer in the faculty of occupational science & occupational therapy at the University of Toronto. | |
Justine Wiegelmann Justine works within the psychopharmacology clinic at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, provides consultation to research projects involving children with autism, and also works within the private sector. Justine works closely with families to address severe challenging behaviour and skill deficits to teach more effective, functional skills to children and teens with complex needs. She has developed and presented numerous applied behaviour analysis based training and education workshops to families, professionals, and community groups as well as giving talks at professional conferences. Justine is passionate about collaborating with families and interdisciplinary teams to support children with behaviour challenges to more fully participate in therapeutic and recreational programs. | |
Robin Hermolin For the past six years Robin has worked with the developmental assessment clinics and the psychopharmocology clinic at Holland Bloorview. She provides support to families who are adjusting to a recent diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neuro-developmental disorders. Robin also offers guidance to families with service navigation and connection to community resources. | |
Susan Cosgrove (Parent Advisor) She sits on advisory panels through the Autism Treatment Network and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, has presented at Canadian conferences and shared her family story on national media. Susan and her oldest son recently had the opportunity to share their story at the United Nations Conference of the State Parties on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York City. Susan is CHILD-BRIGHT Research Network’s first professional parent mentor. | |
Philippa Howell (Parent Advisor) Currently Philippa is the executive assistant to the CEO and COO at the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf where her lived experiences, as a parent and as a volunteer, allow her to serve their individuals better. | |
Adrienne Zarem (Parent Advisor) As a family research advisor with the Bloorview Research Institute, Adrienne has had the great pleasure of contributing to a number of ASD research projects, and feels privileged to be collaborating with the ECHO team to use her lived experience to bring a parent perspective to the multidisciplinary group. | |
Gunjan Seth (Parent Advisor) Through the journey & joy of raising her son with autism, she has acquired a lived experience & training exposure that has strongly motivated her to volunteer, share and advocate for the parents, caregivers and their children with ASD. As a Family Advisory Committee(FAC) member with the AUtism Treatment Network, she sits on various advisory committees/workgroups including the Sleep Committee, Behavioral Sciences Committee and Anxiety Learning Lab. She is also a Vanguard user of a sleep study called "Better Nights, Better days for Children with Neurodevelopmnetal Disorders" from Dalhousie University. As a family leader at Holland Bloorview, , she has reviewed many research study proposals and health documents, and most recently completed a review of the "Sick kids Covid-19:Guidance for School Reopening". Gunjan has volunteered in Adult Day Programs & Administration at the Geneva Center for Autism over six years, and completed several certificate courses in Autism intervention. Gunjan is deeply passionate about lending a voice to the community and being a proud immigrant herself, she is passionate about helping newcomers navigate through support networks. | |
Maddy Dever (Autistic Advocate/Parent Advisor) Maddy is the founder of Autistic Bridge, a self-advocacy group, a Director with Lanark Renfrew Health & Community Services, a Director with HAACO Ontario, and a leader in the National Disability Strategy movement to build a nation-wide coalition of disability organizations to advocate for meeting all needs of all disabilities at all ages. Maddy is also a member of Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA), where they are helping with aspects of developing a National Autism Strategy as well as helping at the annual CASDA Summit. Maddy has also led workshops and panels on topics surrounding autism and education and has spoken about autism on many occasions including at the annual CASDA Summit in 2020 and in 2021, and the UN Human Rights Committee regarding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. |
Salina Eldon Salina Eldon HBA, Dip. C.S. Project Manager | |
Lisa Kanigsberg Lisa Kanigsberg M.Ed. Research Coordinator | |
Anmol Patel Anmol Patel HBSc., Cert. B.D.M. Research Assistant |
Dr. Jessica Brian For the past two decades, Jessica has played a major role in the Canadian infant siblings research program aimed at understanding the emergence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ongoing developmental pathways into adolescence. She co-led the development and evaluation of a very early intervention program for infants and toddlers with emerging ASD which is currently being implemented in the community. | |
Dr. Melanie Penner Dr. Penner works as a developmental paediatrician performing developmental assessments, diagnosing autism spectrum disorder, and managing psychopharmacological treatment in children with complex behavioural challenges. Her research interests are in expanding and enhancing the care provided to children with autism spectrum disorder and their families in the community | |
Moira Pena Her research interests focus on how children’s function and participation in school and in home daily routines can be improved through the use of sensory processing strategies. Moira is a regular guest lecturer in the faculty of occupational science & occupational therapy at the University of Toronto. | |
Erica Laframboise In her role at Holland Bloorview, Erica works within the psychopharmacology clinic and inpatient brain injury unit. She also contributes clinically to research projects involving children with autism as part of the Bloorview Research Institute. Her experience includes clinical supervision of ministry-funded ABA based programs, assessment and treatment of severe problem behaviors, and application of ABA strategies within group and school-based settings. Erica is an accredited facilitator for Triple P Positive Parenting program and has presented numerous workshops and training sessions for families and professionals. | |
Ian Roth | |
Susan Cosgrove (Parent Advisor) She sits on advisory panels through the Autism Treatment Network and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, has presented at Canadian conferences and shared her family story on national media. Susan and her oldest son recently had the opportunity to share their story at the United Nations Conference of the State Parties on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York City. Susan is CHILD-BRIGHT Research Network’s first professional parent mentor. . | |
Maddy Dever (Autistic Advocate/Parent Advisor) Maddy is the founder of Autistic Bridge, a self-advocacy group, a Director with Lanark Renfrew Health & Community Services, a Director with HAACO Ontario, and a leader in the National Disability Strategy movement to build a nation-wide coalition of disability organizations to advocate for meeting all needs of all disabilities at all ages. Maddy is also a member of Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA), where they are helping with aspects of developing a National Autism Strategy as well as helping at the annual CASDA Summit. Maddy has also led workshops and panels on topics surrounding autism and education and has spoken about autism on many occasions including at the annual CASDA Summit in 2020 and in 2021, and the UN Human Rights Committee regarding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. |