About Stacey

I am very proud to be part of the KidsConnecting team. Stacey and I have run the Summer Camp program together since 2018. In 2020, I left my teaching position at a private nursery school in Toronto but, having a lot of energy and a host of stories, songs and activities to share, I wasn’t ready to retire. I was thrilled when Stacey asked me to join her team to run year-round groups with her.

My years of working with young children has always been part of my life, and now I can continue to share my vast  knowledge of child development with Stacey and her team of therapists. I, in turn, have learned so much from Stacey about neurodivergent children.

Together we provide a stimulating, exciting program to our clients in a warm, welcoming environment. We give love, hope and encouragement to our families.

We hope you will join us on this journey.

My name is Bari Handelman. Through my broad range of teaching experiences, I have had the privilege of creating engaging lessons that support my students’ varied needs and abilities. In every teaching experience, it is essential to me that I successfully foster an inclusive, safe, comfortable, and equitable learning environment.

Helping a child meet their goals and feel accomplished solidified my passion for teaching. I approach each child with an open-mind and a willingness to ensure their learning is a collaborative experience. I like to teach using an array of different methods including: imaginative play, art, music, reading, and problem solving, providing a range of diverse resources to the children. This appeals to students with various learning styles, needs, and abilities.

I hold a Master of Teaching, with a specialization in Special Needs Education, from the University of Toronto as well as various additional qualifications that have certified me as a Special Education Specialist. I am TRIBES trained, well-versed in various social thinking and self-regulation programs, and I am very knowledgeable on the integration of assistive technology. As a professional, I have worked as the Special Education Lead in a Toronto private school where my responsibilities included writing and implementing IEPs (Individual Education Plans) for every student, working with children in a 1:1 setting to complete assessments and provide academic and/or social support, and to collaborate with parents and teachers on ensuring student needs are represented in the classroom. 

I look forward to working together and helping your child set and reach their goals.

“My name is Jean Phan.

I have 5 years of clinical experience and 3 years of research experience in developmental pediatric, autism, and mental health.  I am a certified BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst).

I have received training in the Comprehensive Application of Behaviour Analysis to Schooling (CABAS) AND Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). I have used this training when implementing behavioural intervention in school-based and clinic settings to help my learners develop socially significant skills that allows them to meaningfully participate in their daily life. 

I was drawn to Kidsconnecting because of its child-directed, play-based, and naturalistic approach. This approach aligns with my belief to create an enriching environment where my learners can enjoy being an active player of their own growth.”

My name is Amy, and I am passionate about making a difference and helping my clients and their families. I have been in this field for over 5 years and have worked in several different settings such as in-home, in-clinic, at school and in the community. 

I am very enthusiastic about helping children improve their language and social skills while decreasing problem behaviour. Throughout my practice over the years, I am also interested in empowering parents and encouraging their involvement in their children’s therapy. I always ensure that my clients have fun while working on meaningful, developmentally appropriate goals.  

I received training in Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge (PEAK) Relational Training system. I am currently completing his Master of Professional Education (MPEd) - Applied Behavior Analysis at Western University and working toward my BCBA accreditation.

I am Gabi Reiss and I have been working with children for the last 15 years in many different capacities - as an after-school program coordinator, art teacher, karate instructor, camp counselor and mom of 2! 

I am passionate about allowing kids to explore and learn through art and play, and I believe that all kids are capable of fostering their own creative growth when given the space to explore. 

I have completed my certification in Visual and Creative Arts and a Bachelors of Animation from Sheridan College, and hold a Board Certification in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving. I work in TV animation, and my work has been featured on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.

In her free time, I love to draw, bake, and clean up after my kids' creative explorations! 

Hi I’m Shirley Gim and I have been working with children with Autism for the past 9 years in home, schools and clinics across GTA. I hold an M.A in ABA and I am also ESDM trained. After witnessing the success of many of my clients in the ESDM program, I firmly believes in a more naturalistic and multidisciplinary approach to treatment. I enjoy working with young children and their families to help support them in play-based therapy. In my free time, I enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with my 3 children.

My name is Jina and I am the parent of two young children, one of whom is autistic. After pausing my legal career in 2020, I have been involved in various community initiatives, including presenting to police officers on the subject of interacting with disabled persons. I have written articles for the CBC, co-founded a non-profit organization for neurodiverse children, and I assist parents of autistic children in navigating the public education system. 

I have sat on leadership boards of organizations that serve seniors living with Alzheimer’s Disease as well as adults recovering from mental health crisis. I hold a degree in biochemistry from McMaster University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.