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Affaf Ahtisham(905) 525-9140 ext. 27847 | Affaf Ahtisham works as a Web Analyst at CanChild, and provides technical support and development for various CanChild projects. He has completed a Bachelor of Sciences from McMaster University, majoring in Life Sciences, with a focus in Computer Sciences and Software Engineering. |
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Mary Beaudoin(905) 525-9140 ext. 27853 | Mary Beaudoin is CanChild's Development Officer. She assists CanChild in developing its future directions and raising funds to support its long-term sustainability. Mary has a Master's degree in Social Work, several years of front-line and supervisory experience in agencies working with children and their families and numerous years of program and policy experience, in the area of children with special needs, at the Ontario Ministries of Children and Youth Services and Community and Social Services. |
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Martha Cousins(905) 525-9140 ext. 27849 |
Martha Cousins is the Project Coordinator and Knowledge Broker for the Development of the Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication project funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. The goal of this study is to develop and evaluate the measurement properties of an Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF: SC), to describe and categorize functioning of preschool children with ASD. Martha has coordinated multiple studies for CanChild, including the Participation and Environment Project (funded by the US Department of Education, National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) study funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Acquired Brain Injury and Environment Project (ABI and Environment) funded by the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. Martha has a Master's of Education in Counselling Psychology from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. |
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Rhea D'Costa(905) 525-9140 ext. 27850 |
Rhea D'Costa currently holds the position of Clerical Support at CanChild. She is completing her fourth year in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at McMaster University and hopes to pursue a career in the field of pediatrics. |
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Cindy DeCola(905) 525-9140 ext. 26074 | Cindy DeCola is the Project Coordinator for the Partnering for Change study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This study aims to improve access to rehabilitation services for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) through a new school health service delivery model. Cindy has a background in Health Studies, Sociology and Health Promotion. |
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Barb Galuppi(905) 525-9140 ext. 27852 |
Barb Galuppi is currently the Project Coordinator for Canada and USA for the On Track Study to create developmental trajectories of balance, range of motion, strength, endurance, health conditions, and participation in young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Barb has coordinated numerous multi-site research studies at CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research and in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. Barb was involved in the development of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and coordinated the Ontario Motor Growth Study following a cohort of over 650 children with cerebral palsy to create motor development curves; and the subsequent adolescent study (ASQME study) following some of these same young people as adolescents to assess patterns of activity, forms of mobility and factors associated with changes of function specific to adolescence. Barb also coordinated a randomized clinical trial (Focus on Function) to compare two treatment approaches ("child-focused" and “context-focused”) aimed at improving function for children with cerebral palsy and other motor delays. In recent years, Barb has coordinated a national study of quality of life in children with epilepsy, an intervention study supporting youth with chronic health conditions and disabilities as they transition from pediatric to adult care, as well as the Stay-FIT program of research to develop and evaluate a program to promote physical activity in youth with CP. |
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Donna Johnston(905) 525-9140 ext. 27846 | Donna Johnston works part time with CanChild assisting with the management and support of financial and accounting activities. |
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Chia-Yu Lin(905) 525-9140 ext. 27548 |
Chia-Yu Lin is the Project Coordinator for the "Participation and Environment Knowledge Hub: Translating Evidence about Children with Disabilities" project, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The aim of this project is to improve access to and use of knowledge about children's participation and environment, an essential first-step toward changes in practice to fully support inclusive participation. Chia-Yu has a background in Kinesiology and a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Science from McMaster University. |
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Nadilein Mahlberg(905) 525-9140 ext. 27854 |
Nadilein Mahlberg is the Project Coordinator for both the "Enhanced Physical Activity in Children and Youth with Epilepsy" (STEP) study led by Dr. Gabriel Ronen and the "Concurrent Validation of the NDDS-R and the Rourke Baby Record in a Primary Setting: Evaluation of Two Tools for Developmental Screening at the 18-month Well Baby visit" (Well Baby) study led by Drs. John Cairney and Jean Clinton. The aim of the STEP study is to assess the effects of physical activity on the quality of life, health, and social well-being of inactive children with epilepsy. The aim of the Well Baby study is to look at whether the questionnaire and checklist used in the enhanced 18-month Well Baby visit are useful to assess healthy development in children. Nadilein has completed her BA specializing in Child Health at Brock University. She is currently completing her M.Sc. in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University. |
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Brittni Makund(905) 525-9140 ext. 27847 | Brittni Makund works as a Web Assistant. As part of the knowledge translation team, Brittni works on CanChild's website and social media outlets. She is also involved in the development of many CanChild publications. Brittni recently completed her Honours Bachelor of Science at McMaster University majoring in Life Sciences. |
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Rhea Makund(905) 525-9140 ext. 27059 | Rhea is an administrative assistant for Dr. Cheryl Missiuna. She is involved in the development and organization of numerous research projects, and aids in the preparation of various publications and presentations. Rhea is currently completing her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics at McMaster University. |
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Dayle McCauley(905) 525-9140 ext. 26851 | Dayle McCauley is a Research Coordinator who assists CanChild members with the preparation of research grants and provides support for Ministry of Children and Youth Services projects. She has a background in Mathematics and Statistics and has completed her M.Sc. in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University. |
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Oksana Hlyva(905) 525-9140 ext. 27854 |
Oksana Hlyva is the Project Coordinator for the TRACE Study: Transition to Adulthood with Cyber guide Evaluation, conducted by investigators at CanChild and Sick Kids in Toronto. The study explores the use and impact of the resources developed to promote a successful transition from pediatric to adult-oriented health care, empowerment and agency of youths with various chronic conditions. Oksana has a Master's degree in Higher Education and Ph.D. in Professional Discourse Studies, both of which highlighted issues pertinent to transition, knowledge translation, interdisciplinarity, and qualitative research. In addition to teaching workplace writing to university students, Oksana has done medical education research, program evaluation and usability research in health sciences. |
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Marlice Simon(905) 525-9140 ext. 26852 | Marlice Simon is an Administrative Assistant supporting Drs. Peter Rosenbaum and Jan Willem Gorter; she also assists with the preparation of research projects. She is a Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) and has a background in Social Work. She is currently completing her Diploma in Management Studies at McMaster University. |
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Rachel Teplicky(905) 525-9140 ext. 26851 | Rachel Teplicky is a Research Coordinator for the Participation and Environment Project. She is trained as an occupational therapist and has worked with preschool-aged children with special needs and their families. Rachel has a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Science. |
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Betty Yundt(905) 525-9140 ext. 27847 | Betty is a physiotherapist with experience working with preschool children in a children's rehabilitation centre. She is responsible for facilitating the development of resources on the CanChild website as well as other knowledge translation and exchange activities. Betty has a Masters of Rehabilitation Science degree from UBC. |
