About Shauna

Portrait of a woman wearing a blue top, smiling at the camera in front of a plain blue background - BCBA Inner West

I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and have been working with children with ADHD, autism and other developmental disabilities for over 10 years. I founded Umbrella Tree Behaviour Consulting to support families in my local area, and because I love seeing the look of pride on a client’s face when they achieve something important to them.

Back home in Canada in 2009, I graduated with an honours degree in psychology from York University. I then relocated to Sydney, Australia where I started my own family as well as a career in disability services. Since then, I have completed a master’s degree in special education, a graduate certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis and became certified by the BACB. Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of learning and working alongside many exceptional clinicians, including fellow behaviour analysts, speech therapists, occupational therapists and disability advocates. However, my greatest teachers have always been my clients, who teach me something new every day.

About Behaviour Support

Behaviour Support is grounded in the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), the science of how individuals learn and behave. ABA has a robust evidence base, particularly in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, however, its application varies quite a lot. At Umbrella Tree Behaviour Consulting, our neurodiversity-affirming approach respects and embraces each person’s differences, using ABA principles to promote learning in ways that are supportive, meaningful, and respectful of individual strengths and preferences.

My Approach

I love getting to know my clients and their families and figuring out the goals that are most meaningful to them. I like to work directly with my clients, but also with their caregivers, teachers, siblings and anyone else significant in their life. I’m passionate about creating lasting change which I achieve by:

  • Teaching clients practical skills they can use across environments.

  • Empowering the people who support the learner day-to-day.

Depending on your child’s goals, abilities and preferences, we might engage in any combination of:

  • Direct teaching sessions with the learner (at home, school or daycare)

  • Face to face or telehealth coaching sessions for parents and caregivers

  • Consultation or training sessions with teachers and educators