Early Childhood – Moving Alberta Toward Timely Access for the Youngest of Children

Recorded July 13, 2024. This presentation is an update on what the Early Childhood Community of Practice has been up to and new projects being done for young, autistic children around Alberta.

Kimberly Ward (she/her)

Kim completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1995 at the University of Calgary. During her years in graduate school, she focused specifically on the social-cognitive differences associated with Autism. Kimberley became a Registered Psychologist in 1996 and joined the clinical team at Society for Autism Support and Services (SASS) (formerly Society for Treatment of Autism). After serving as the Clinical Director for nine years, she transitioned to the role of Executive Director in 2018. Kim joined the Canadian Autism Alliance of Canada Board of Directors in 2020 where she serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee and Board Secretary.

Terri Duncan, MSLP, R.SLP, S-LP (C)

Terri Duncan is the founder and Executive Director of Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton. She is a registered speech language pathologist and has worked with children with autism and a broad range of developmental delays for more than 25 years. Terri has her B.A. in Psychology and Linguistics from the University of Ottawa and her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Alberta. Her interest in working with children with autism began when she worked as an aide with a four-year-old boy with autism in a family’s home in the early 90’s. Since that time she has been fascinated by the complexity of autism and the resilience of families dealing with the challenges they face on a daily basis. Terri started Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton in 2004 and since that time, the organization has grown to be one of the largest service providers in Western Canada.

Shelley Booker Salvador

Shelley Booker Salvador is a speech-language pathologist who has specialized in supporting autistic children and adults for over 20 years. Shelley’s been involved in research and program development throughout her career, presenting on a variety of communication-related topics and research outcomes across Canada and internationally. In 2019, she initiated the development of LEAP (Learning, Engagement, and Play) at Society for Autism Support and Services, a program specifically designed to support infants and toddlers diagnosed with or at-risk for autism.

Monica Eggink

Monica Eggink is a speech-language pathologist who studied at the University of Alberta for her Bachelor of Arts (1993) and at McGill University for her Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders (1997). She began working with autistic children while employed with Edmonton Public Schools in an Early Education program, then again during several years of full-time private practice. Monica joined Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton in 2011. She has been the coordinator of the multidisciplinary autism diagnostic clinic there since its inception in 2018, helping families navigate their journey from assessment and diagnosis to intervention and support.