Education – Emerging Opportunities to Advance Learner Outcomes and Student Well-Being

Recorded July 13, 2024. A presentation and panel regarding education for autistic students in Alberta. Presented by our Education Community of Practice.

Shane L. Lynch (he/him)

Shane has been working with Autistic individuals and their families for over 25 years. He completed his PhD in Special/Inclusive Education at the University of Alberta specializing in Autistic students’ self-determination and intrinsic motivation in the classroom. Shane has served as a consultant to school districts across Alberta, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories for students with severe and complex learning needs. In 2018, he joined The Sinneave Family Foundation where he is currently responsible for design and evaluation of novel services and resources that will address the needs of Autistic Albertans. As a Registered Psychologist, Shane also has a practice that serves individuals with high support needs who live in residential care across Northeastern Alberta.

Lyndon Parakin

Lyndon Parakin is the executive director of Autism Calgary Association and the vice president of Autism Society Alberta. Over the last two decades Lyndon has worked with municipal, provincial and federal autism partners. He and his amazing partner are the proud parents of four young adults, his family sharing in the lived experience of neurodiversity and intellectual disability. Lyndon holds degrees in mathematics and computer science and has worked as a software scientist in computer simulation and 3D modeling.

Chandra Lebenhagen

Dr. Chandra Lebenhagen is an education consultant in K-12 schools and a sessional instructor at several Canadian universities, where she teaches graduate courses in inclusive education, autism, and evidence-based practices to support students with disabilities in K-12 settings. Her research focuses on ethics, critical disability, inclusive education, and evidence-based practices to support neurodiverse learners.

Laura Lacavex Goussis

Laura is originally from Mexico. She worked in the marketing and advertising industry for 15 years, until her life gave a turn when her middle son was diagnosed with Autism at 20 months. Laura is now the mother of 3 wonderful neurodiverse boys, all with different gifts and challenges. She is also the head of the Autism Calgary Family Support Team, which she has been part of for the last 7 years. Laura is passionate about helping families gain the tools to feel empowered to advocate for their loved ones, and get the proper resources and supports to meet their needs.

Robert Choate

Robert Choate is an educator that specializes in inclusive best practices for autistic students. He has been working with neurodivergent youth for his entire career and strives to be a strong advocate and ally for those voices that are not always heard. He continues to be excited about the growing momentum to do right by and learn from diverse learners. In his free time, Robert enjoys spending time in nature with his dog Harley.