I am Tanya Gabriele and I am a registered Occupational Therapist. I have a passion for creating inclusive, affirming, compassionate, and collaborative spaces. I love supporting children to be their best selves! I have worked with children and families in clinic, home, outdoor, and school settings for over 6 years. I use a strengths-based and play-based approach in my therapy. I strongly believe in the power of connection and relationship to facilitate growth. I am passionate about supporting neurodivergent children and their families through connection, curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. I have had the privilege of working with children with autism, ADHD, FASD, and other developmental differences to create meaningful individualised therapeutic support. My approach is grounded in relationship, and celebrates each child’s unique strengths, interests, and way of being in the world. I am particularly passionate about supporting children that require support with picky feeding; emotion regulation; sensory processing; and executive functioning. I aim to meet children where they are, and walk alongside families with empathy, humour, and heart.

I am Tanya Gabriele and I am a registered Occupational Therapist. I have a passion for creating i... Read More

Margaret Guzowski, Registered Psychotherapist, has psychotherapy experience of 25 years working with children in multitude of settings including public and private sectors. She has a science degree from Queens University and Art Therapy degree from Toronto Art Therapy institute with master’s level thesis on Children with Brain Injury. She was trained at Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital and with Play Therapy Institute. She created Therapeutic Arts Program for children with Special Needs and Autism that she directed and supervised for 15 years. Presently she works at Always Connected offering art therapy individual and group sessions, she works in private practice with adults and children offering psychotherapy in Mississauga. Her passion is helping children (and adults) thrive and feel well. She loves nature, and outdoors activities including hiking and trail running. She is a yoga and mindfulness teacher.

Margaret Guzowski, Registered Psychotherapist, has psychotherapy experience of 25 years working ... Read More

Sandy Ludwig, along with her team at Music4Life, provide recreational music and music therapy.

Sandy Ludwig, along with her team at Music4Life, provide recreational music and music therapy. Read More

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Recreational Respite promotes inclusion and nurtures social health for children, youth, adults and older adults with disabilities, mental health experiences, and other barriers to participation throughout Canada. Services include one-to-one supports, group programs (virtual and in-person), capacity building workshops, and community partnerships that focus on inclusion, connection and participation.

One-to-one services are provided in your home or community, and can be used as respite for a caregiver, and as individual support in summer camps or general recreation programs. We identify and address the needs, abilities, strengths, and interests while affirming individuality, and promoting social health and emotional wellness. No diagnosis is required to access supports.

Group programs offer inclusive experiences in small groups that aim to provide social connection, soft skill development, and recreation exploration for children, youth, and adults. Programs are available virtually and in some communities across Canada, in-person.

Recreational Respite’s supports and services are recognized by public/ministry and private foundations for funding or reimbursement for families who qualify.

Contact us: 1-877-855-7070 or info@recrespite.com. Website: www.recrespite.com

Recreational Respite promotes inclusion and nurtures social health for children, youth, adults an... Read More

Dr. Jane Summer has over 30 years of experience supporting individuals with autism and their families. Dr. Summers received her Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of Toronto/OISE in 1991 and became a registered psychologist in 1995. Her first position was with the Department of Behavioral Psychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. She also held an appointment as an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine during part of this time. Dr. Summers moved to Hamilton Health Sciences/McMaster Children’s Hospital in 1994 where she held a number of positions over a 20-year period, including director of outpatient mental health and behavioural services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and clinical supervisor with a community-based program for children with autism spectrum disorder. She started at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in 2014 to take the position of Director of Interprofessional Practice with the Underserved Populations Program (child, youth and family, dual diagnosis and geriatric mental health). Dr. Summers has been working with Always Connected Treatment Network since 2018.

Areas of expertise: Autism, ADHD, Mental Health, Dual Diagnosis

Dr. Jane Summer has over 30 years of experience supporting individuals with autism and their fami... Read More

I believe in meeting each child where they are, whether that’s in their words, their gestures, or their silences, and working together to unlock their fullest communication potential. At the heart of my practice is creating safe spaces for children to express themselves freely. I aim to build trusting relationships where children feel valued, seen, and understood. My work is driven by the belief that every child has a unique voice, and it’s my job to help them find it. I I specialize in supporting children with a variety of communication needs, including: Speech clarity Early communication development Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) use Social communication and language skills.

I believe in meeting each child where they are, whether that’s in their words, their gestures, or... Read More