About Us

The Northern Star – a navigation tool used for centuries. 

We’ve dedicated our organization to this navigation icon because receiving an Autism diagnosis for your child can feel like someone has taken the map from you and flipped it upside down. It is our promise to show you the way, in every decision you make.

Family walking - parenting autism spectrum
Edmonton parenting autism spectrum

Why Us?

We are a caring group of experienced professionals who can guide you on your family’s journey with Autism. We offer in-home visits, school consultations, and a wide range of services to get your family back on track. Throughout our 16 years of combined experience, we have heard the same story countless times. Your child received an autism diagnosis, but no one told you where to begin.

Northern Star

What does this mean for my child’s future?

Northern Star

What intervention should I choose?

Northern Star

Who are the providers?

Northern Star

When can I start?

AN ASSESSMENT PLANS THAT WORKS

How We Help Families

Northern Star Behaviour Services is here to you with these and many other questions you may have after learning your child has received an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.

We offer Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) support from exceptionally trained and dedicated Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBA). With only 55 individuals certified in the province of Alberta, your family will receive the top recommended intervention technique for children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: behaviour intervention.

Within two months of service with Northern Star, you can expect a detailed assessment of your child’s current skills with a plan to address any concerns you may have. BCBAs target all areas of development including challenging behaviour, communication and language support, self-help (toilet training, tooth brushing, dressing etc.), social skills, safety, picky eating, and mastering your everyday routines in a way that works for you and your family.

The BCBAs at Northern Star target all areas of development including:

address challenging behaviours

improving communication and language

facilitating self-help skills (toilet training, tooth brushing, dressing etc.)

developing social skills

alleviating safety concerns

developing food repertoire (picky eating), and

mastering your everyday routines in a way that works for you and your family.

ABOUT US

Our team

Caring, highly trained professionals you can rely on.

Join Our Team
Courtney Schulze, M. Ed. BCBA
Courtney Schulze, M. Ed. BCBA
Program Director/Founder
Mack Riesterer, PE
Mack Riesterer, PE
Director of Operations
Veena Chinniah, M. Ed., BCBA
Veena Chinniah, M. Ed., BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
Connie Cabuena, M. ADS, BCBA
Connie Cabuena, M. ADS, BCBA
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Alysha Bouchard, M. PEd.
Alysha Bouchard, M. PEd.
Senior Behaviour Consultant
Dr. Farzad-Zare Bawani, PhD.
Dr. Farzad-Zare Bawani, PhD.
Registered Psychologist
Jenny Visconti, MSc.OT
Jenny Visconti, MSc.OT
Occupational Therapist
Amanda Adamopoulos
Amanda Adamopoulos
Occupational Therapist
Kelcie Davis, MSc, R.SLP, S-LP(C)
Kelcie Davis, MSc, R.SLP, S-LP(C)
Speech-Language Pathologist
Samra Hussain, M.Sc. SLP (C)
Samra Hussain, M.Sc. SLP (C)
Speech-Language Pathologist
Melissa McAllister, M.A., R.SLP
Melissa McAllister, M.A., R.SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Jennifer Fraser
Jennifer Fraser
Administrative Coordinator
Isaiah Lauder
Isaiah Lauder
Lead Interventionist
Dayanara Fruhbrodt
Dayanara Fruhbrodt
Behaviour Interventionist
Daniela Medina
Daniela Medina
Behaviour Interventionist
Marianne Depradines
Marianne Depradines
Behaviour Interventionist
Jonathan Parcasio
Jonathan Parcasio
Behaviour Interventionist
Mikayla Surmik
Mikayla Surmik
Behaviour Interventionist

FAQs

You’ve got questions and we are here to provide answers and solutions.

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No one else was wanting to/ able to help. You got us through the start of this scary journey, and we already feel so much more confident! Once we get funding, however long that takes, I will absolutely be reaching out again as you ladies really came through when we felt at our lowest.

J.H

Edmonton

I have loved our experience with Northern Star Behaviour Services thus far! As my family is located in Grande Prairie, I knew that many of our appointments would be supplemented with video calls, and I was slightly nervous about the quality of these online sessions. But I am glad to say that our provider is extremely observant and truly makes the most out of both in person and online appointments! They have provided us with many useful tools to make not just my son's life easier, but my own as well. The team at Northern Star is amazing and so easy to work with; I am so thankful for them

Emma S

Grand Prairie

We had been struggling for the past few years trying to help our autistic son develop language skills. We tried multiple different programs – on the recommendation of specialists – but none of them took. But that all changed in October 2021 when we were introduced to Northern Star Behaviour Services and they graced us with our consultant. Now, only five short months later, he has taken to the PECs system incredibly quickly. He is engaged far more and is actually participating in school activities with his peers and making friends! Such a night and day difference – it truly was nothing short of miraculous.

Ricole L

Edmonton

Contact Northern Star today to get your family back on track

We will equip you with proven strategies that make a difference.