About us
The story behind My Place Learning Centre
Our continuing story...
Our daughter was diagnosed with Autism at age 4. It was a relief to have a partial answer. But the wait for the diagnosis was long and the wait for access to suitable programs was just as frustrating. When we finally got to the top of the list with our Regional Provider new changes were announced that made her ineligible for the program due to her age. The next list we faced was two years long. We did not want to wait and so in March 2017 My Place Learning Centre opened in Milton. My Place has changed over the past three years, and we have embraced ABA Therapy Programs. Our ABA program continues to grow under the direction of our Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Senior Therapist and we are grateful to all our staff who continue to support the program and MPLC families.
Mow and Anna Tea
A Home for MPLC
June 2019
We moved in July 2018 from our old location on Nipissing Rd. to 220 Bronte St. N. This new space has allowed us to accept new clients and begin the creation of our Therapy Gym. We are pleased that more families are discovering that they do have options and we are proud to watch our children progress and thrive in their homes and schools. We have met many professionals over the last two years who have generously given their input. We have also learned to appreciate even more the input of the parents who have taught us that the ones who ‘live the life’ are the most valuable resource.
August 2020
We moved again last month to our new home at 56 Bronte St. S. We are looking forward to putting down roots and creating a supportive and fun learning space for our families.
Meet the team
A committed family of professionals
My Place Learning Centre has a team of dedicated therapists who wants to ensure your child has the tools to succeed wherever life takes them.
Suha Wais
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Suha has obtained a Post-Graduate Certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science from George Brown College. She also possesses a degree in M.B.Ch.B (MD) from Bagdad University and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA).
Suha has extensive experience working with children with ASD in her role as a Medical Doctor and Clinical Director in Africa, in her role as an Instructor Therapist in Canada, and most recently as BCBA at My Place Learning Centre.
Suha is certified in Pre-K Readiness and Writing and Literacy and Math, as well as K-5 Handwriting, through Handwriting Without Tears. Suha is also a member of ONTABA and in good standing.
Suha has extensive experience working with children with ASD in her role as a Medical Doctor and Clinical Director in Africa, in her role as an Instructor Therapist in Canada, and most recently as BCBA at My Place Learning Centre.
Suha is certified in Pre-K Readiness and Writing and Literacy and Math, as well as K-5 Handwriting, through Handwriting Without Tears. Suha is also a member of ONTABA and in good standing.
Saima Latif
Speech Language Pathologist
Saima Latif is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a Masters degree from Clarion University. She has been working with children with special needs ages 2-18 for over a decade.
Her specialties are in working with clients with ADHD, Down syndrome, Global Development delay, Cerebral Palsy and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Saima’s areas of expertise are muscle-based oral motor difficulties impacting articulation, phonology, literacy, and social language.
She follows an eclectic approach to therapy – drawing from a variety of specialized training, including Oral Placement Disorders (Level 2), Myofunctional Disorders, Cued Articulation, Social Thinking®, and Applied Behaviour Analysis to name a few. She is also trained in PROMPT (introduction and bridging), DTTC, and Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol for the treatment of Apraxia.
Saima uses a multi-sensory approach and adapts her therapy sessions to her clients’ unique learning style. She optimizes learning by using preferred toys/activities as reinforcement, sensory bins and movement breaks. This allows clients to be excited about learning in various contexts and has a better likelihood of achieving their goals.
She follows an eclectic approach to therapy – drawing from a variety of specialized training, including Oral Placement Disorders (Level 2), Myofunctional Disorders, Cued Articulation, Social Thinking®, and Applied Behaviour Analysis to name a few. She is also trained in PROMPT (introduction and bridging), DTTC, and Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol for the treatment of Apraxia.
Saima uses a multi-sensory approach and adapts her therapy sessions to her clients’ unique learning style. She optimizes learning by using preferred toys/activities as reinforcement, sensory bins and movement breaks. This allows clients to be excited about learning in various contexts and has a better likelihood of achieving their goals.
Melissa Gagnon
Speech Language Pathologist
Melissa is a Speech Language Pathologist with a Masters degree from the University of Toronto. She works with children as young as 18 months who present with language delays and with preschoolers and school aged children who present with speech, language, and/or literacy delays.
She specializes in literacy, early language, and high level language for preschool and school aged children. She has specific training in teaching children how to read (Lindamood Bell’s Seeing Stars Program and Smarter Intervention) and is very passionate about providing both clients and families with the tools to be successful readers. She has also completed the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol and Expanding Expressive Language Tool courses. Furthermore, she has pursued continuing education in the areas of applying ABA strategies in therapy sessions.
Her approach is family centered- creating goals and therapy materials that are engaging and motivating to help children be successful. Melissa currently offers online therapy sessions only.
She specializes in literacy, early language, and high level language for preschool and school aged children. She has specific training in teaching children how to read (Lindamood Bell’s Seeing Stars Program and Smarter Intervention) and is very passionate about providing both clients and families with the tools to be successful readers. She has also completed the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol and Expanding Expressive Language Tool courses. Furthermore, she has pursued continuing education in the areas of applying ABA strategies in therapy sessions.
Her approach is family centered- creating goals and therapy materials that are engaging and motivating to help children be successful. Melissa currently offers online therapy sessions only.
Anam Shafi
Lead Therapist
Anam is the Lead Behaviour Therapist at My Place Learning Centre. After earning her Honours Bachelors of Science from University of Toronto, majoring in Psychology and Sociology, Anam went on to complete a post graduate certificate in Behavioural Science from Humber College. She is currently working towards her BCBA certification. She has worked and volunteered with clients who have been diagnosed with Autism and has served clients within the community in a multitude of settings, including schools, community homes, summer camps and ABA Centres.
Tarunpreet Kaur
Instructor Therapist
Tarun is an experienced instructor therapist who has been working in the field since graduating from George Brown College with a degree in Autism and Behavioural Sciences in 2017. She is driven by making a positive impact and building functional skills in her clients in order for them to reach optimal levels of independence . She is currently pursuing her license for BCaBA.
Zainab Zaheer
Instructor Therapist
Zainab holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology. Once she completed her undergraduate degree she continued with her education and received a post graduate diploma as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. Zainab has also completed certificates in "Hanen Training-It Takes Two to Talk", "PECS Training", "Reinforcement", and "Naturalistic Teaching". Zainab has made her career in the ABA field for over 5 years. She started her journey with My Place Learning Centre in July 2018 and has been enjoying her time working here ever since. Zainab follows the policy of "Why fit in when you were born to stand out"-Dr Seuss.
Ramen Wasir
Instructor Therapist
Raman holds a bachelor’s degree in the Honors Behaviour Analysis program from George Brown College with a focus on using ABA principles as a scientific approach to modify behaviour in a desirable way. Raman has experience providing support to individuals with ASD and developmental disabilities in classroom settings with the Toronto District School Board. Raman has completed the Crisis Prevention Intervention certification. As an instructor therapist, Raman hopes to provide meaningful guidance to all individuals in a 1:1 setting to teach a multitude of skills specific to each learner while maintaining a friendly and safe environment.
Rupinder Gill
Instructor Therapist
Rupinder holds a Masters of Applied Disability Studies degree with ABA specialization from Brock University. She is currently on track to write her exam to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. She completed a Bachelors in Public Health from Brock University and has a post-graduate diploma as a Developmental Service Worker from Humber College.
Rupi has been working with the Peel District School Board for the last 6 years as an Education Resource Facilitator and as a Behavioural Assistant for children with ASD and/or other developmental diagnosis in elementary and middle schools. She also brings to MPLC her experience as a tutor and Instructor Therapist for children with ASD.
Rupi has been working with the Peel District School Board for the last 6 years as an Education Resource Facilitator and as a Behavioural Assistant for children with ASD and/or other developmental diagnosis in elementary and middle schools. She also brings to MPLC her experience as a tutor and Instructor Therapist for children with ASD.
Maria Lomaro
Instructor Therapist
Maria Lomoro has been working with children with ASD for 3 years. Prior to joining MPLC Maria was the Lead Therapist at a Mississauga based ABA centre.
Lisa Fendley
Instructor Therapist
Lisa has been working as an Instructor Therapist at My Place Learning Centre since May 2018. She creates and run’s social classes as well as conducts 1:1 and 1:2 ABA Therapy Sessions. Lisa earned her diploma from Humber College in Child and Youth Worker studies. She has completed multiple ABA training courses, Naturalistic Training, PECS Training and the Registered Behaviour Training Course.