Our Team
My advanced education began at Ryerson University where I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) specializing in Disability Studies. I received a Diploma (advanced standing) in Child and Youth Care from Humber College. I am a Certified Crisis Prevention Instructor and received my certification from the National Crisis Prevention Institute. I am also a blogger for the National Crisis Prevention Institute having contributed to the resources section for educators, namely an article on the importance of touch and its impact on an agitated student’s level of cognitive arousal. Additionally, I have been an active participant at a number of Geneva Centre conferences related to the learning needs, profiles and behavioural needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I am a proprietor of Shining Stars Support Services for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Inc. Shining Stars Support Services incorporates methods of Applied Behavioural Analysis and provides in-home, centre and community-based instructional and behavioural support to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-morbid disorders. Shining Stars assesses student’s learning needs and determines specific Cognitive Behavioural strategies and interventions to help students reach their full potentialities. Shining Stars works collaboratively with Occupational Therapists to assess a student’s sensory needs.
It has been my great privilege to provide 20+ years of service for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-morbid disorders for the Peel District School Board. For the past 13 years, I have worked on the Autism Resource Team for the Peel District School Board where I work collaboratively with teachers and para-professionals to better understand the learning profiles of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disorders, teach educators how environmental and instructional accommodations can enhance such students’ success. In this respect, I use various cognitive and behavioural assessment scales (Brigance Early Inventory of Developmental Skills, Assessment of Basic Language and Learning-Revised) to develop Individual Education and Positive Behavioural Intervention Plans with measureable goals.
I am a Certified Crisis Prevention Trainer and train teachers and school administrators. The primary objectives of Crisis Prevention Training are: training staff with effective techniques in approaching and reducing the tension of an agitated person; focusing on the alternatives if a person loses control and becomes violent; instructing staff members in techniques to control their own anxieties during interventions and maintain the best possible professional attitude; and providing nonverbal, paraverbal, verbal and physical intervention skills to allow staff to maintain the best possible care and welfare, as well as safety and security, for all involved – even during the most violent moments .
I am well-versed in the delivery of cognitive and behavioural assessments. I have facilitated Assessment of Basic Language and Learning, Assessment of Functional Living Skills, Functional Independent Skills Assessment, Brigance Asssessments, Verbal Behaviour Milestones Assessments among others. In the near future, I will become familiar with assessing students who fit the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder using the ADOS-2 assessment tool.
A recipient of the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award and the Margaret L. Stoicheff Alumni Spirit and Leadership Award, and with over 21 years as a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and as Lead of a Private Practice, Wassim has had the pleasure and delight to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, communication disorders and other related language difficulties. Wassim is a well-versed Speech and Language Pathologist who has worked with students with various complex communication needs and developmental disorders from childhood to young adulthood. He has extensive experience in the delivery of assessments, therapy and intervention, as well as consultative services. His kind, compassionate and calm nature is effective when supporting the communication and academic needs of students and collaborating with teaching teams. Shining Stars welcomes Wassim as Speech-Language Pathologist!
Andrea earned her Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in February 2012 and became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst in September 2012.
Andrea’s private practice consists of providing assessment, treatment development and clinical oversight of behaviour support plans (BSPs) for adults with severe problem behaviours and PRN protocols in community settings to comply with O. Reg. 299/10: Quality Assurance Measures. In addition to the adult population, Andrea clinically supervises programming for children and adolescents who are recipients of Ontario Autism Program (OAP) funding. In September 2018 and after a rigorous process, Andrea was selected to be a BCBA Reviewer for the Clinical Review Process for the OAP.
Andrea started in the field of developmental disabilities in 2005 and has extensive experience in behavioral and standardized assessments, treatment development for skills deficits and excesses and supervision of staffing in a variety of settings and with a broad range of clients of different ages and with varying degrees of needs. Andrea’s work experience includes private and government funded programs for children with autism, adolescents and adults with dual diagnoses and mental health issues, consultation with school boards, long term care homes, treatment homes and hospitals. Andrea has experience teaming up with clinicians of other disciplines to develop transdisciplinary treatment plans.
The areas of interest Andrea has worked with are assessment and treatment of problem behaviour to include aggression to others, property destruction, self injury (SIB), non-compliance, toileting and on-task. In addition to behavioural and skills assessments, Andrea administers standardized tools that help in understanding the needs of the individuals she works with.
Andrea’s experience with children, adolescents and adults with behavioural challenges and skill building programs make her an insightful clinician who understands the needs of clients throughout their lifespans.
At a personal level, Andrea is a mom to two active teenage boys and a dog and is working towards becoming a certified Personal Trainer.
Hello, I am an Occupational Therapist and Owner of Playful Strides Therapy. I work with children and their family to support them to be able to do things they want or need to do. I believe in supporting and strengthening the core relationships in a child’s life, building on the strengths and sharing both my experience and knowledge with the network around a child including the school, home and community.
I provide intervention for motor delays/dysfunctions, regulation skills, both sensory and self-regulation, feeding intervention and social emotional skill development.
I can address a child’s gross motor, fine motor, sensory motor and everyday skills as they relate to home, school and communication management.
I have a special interest in children with complex needs including those working on eating, emotional regulation and complex physical/health issues
Laura Chubb is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), who meets the provincial standards as a qualified Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Clinical Supervisor. Laura has worked in the field of behavioural health and therapeutic support for over a decade, with the bulk of that work serving clients with dual or multi-diagnosis who have behavioural health concerns.
Laura has advanced clinical experiences developing, supervising, and implementing applied behavioural analytic (ABA) therapies, and naturalistic developmental behavioural interventions (NDBI’s). Laura is passionate about culturally safe and trauma-informed therapy. Laura has experience in designing, supervising, and implementing multiple forms of functional behaviour assessment, including holding Lead Implementation credentials in Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skills Based Treatment (SBT).
Laura currently is a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Prior to this Laura completed her Masters of Applied Disability Studies with field specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Brock University, and her Bachelors of Arts [Honours] double major in Disability Studies and Psychology at the University of Windsor.
Mehak completed her Masters of Education in Developmental Psychology at the University of Toronto in 2020. Prior to her Masters, Mehak completed her Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminology at the University of Toronto in 2019. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Applied Disability Studies at Brock University, with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis to obtain her license as a BCBA. Mehak has experience working with children with developmental and learning disabilities in both recreational and clinical settings, in addition to experience working in pharmaceuticals. Her previous research has revolved around looking at the impact of burnout and compassion fatigue on individuals’ mental health. Mehak is also currently a teaching assistant, helping out professors at Brock University.
At Shining Stars, in her role as a Supervising Therapist, Mehak supports therapists and children with skill acquisition programs, behavioral protocols, and daily living skills. Her role requires her to provide supervision and 1:1 support for therapists in helping children. Mehak conducts a variety of assessments as per the child’s individual characteristics and devises plans accordingly to ensure children’s success. Mehak enjoys her time in-center and supporting the team in-home. She is also available to support parents in parent training to better support their child’s individual needs.
Hello! I’m Sukhman Singh, I am a Speech-Language Pathologist. I completed my Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology at McMaster University in 2022. Throughout my Graduate program and clinical experiences, I have been drawn to working with the child population. I believe that early intervention and person-centered care is essential and can truly see its value when working with this population. I also have experience working with children with developmental and learning disabilities and providing support to their families. I believe in being kind and showing patience to all and providing my best support to everyone!
Instructor and Lead Instructor Therapists
Our committed and specialized Instructor Therapists are well-versed in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Shining Star’s staff hold a degree in Psychology and/or Behavioural Science and have completed or are working towards their Registered Behaviour Technician Certification. The training and certification of our Instructor Therapists upholds Shining Star’s Mission statement, Children Can Succeed!”