Dragonfly Family & Learning Services Inc’s mission is to provide evidence-based services, programs, and resources to empower a thriving neurodivergent population here in Renfrew County.
Dragonfly Family and Learning Services Inc’s team of professionals are committed to bringing you and your family the best in Services, Programs, and Resources to help your Neurodivergent child thrive!
Each member of the team at Dragonfly knows their role is an essential part of the collective effort towards providing your family with top quality services. The team recognizes that your family-unit has specific strengths and seeks to enhance these through our programming.
“Where you live should not dictate the level or quality of mental health services you receive.”
Dragonfly’s team doesn’t just help autistic children and youth, they are also skilled in supporting children with ADHD, ODD, OCD, Anxiety, and Depression. We are focused on addressing the barriers neurodivergent individuals face accessing services while living in Renfrew County. Our mission is to bring the highest quality Services, Programs, Resources to the Ottawa Valley and beyond!
We value qualified professionals who are passionate about providing evidence-based services to neurodivergent individuals. We value the hard work of those conducting research in the field of psychology, behaviour analysis, and education and as such only provide services that are informed by scientific evidence and theories. We value collaboration with other professionals, families, advocates, and the community.
Meet Our Team of Professionals
Erin Curtis, Director and Parent Educator, hand-picked the multi-talented professionals that make up the Dragonfly Team and has led them in curating a unique service model that includes the entire family from beginning to end!
Erin is living her dream of bringing meaningful services, resources, and programs to neurodivergent children and families in Renfrew County!
Erin Curtis
B.A. CYC, CAPT
Director & Caregiver Educator
As a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (formerly Ryerson University) Bachelor’s of Child and Youth Care program, Erin has always been passionate about supporting individuals with a variety of needs. Erin’s career in ABA programs began in 2012 and has helped to shape her passion for helping neurodivergent individuals to enhance their dynamic functioning.
When Erin relocated to the Ottawa Valley with her family in 2018 she quickly realized the need for services tailored to neurodivergent individuals and Dragonfly Family and Learning Services was born! Since January 2019, Erin has focused her time on curating a service model that is family-focused and curating a team of professionals passionate about bringing that service to your family!
While creating Dragonfly’s unique service model, Erin noted the importance of including Caregivers in more of the intervention process so, Erin completed coursework to become a Certified ABA Parent Trainer (CAPT)! At Dragonfly, Caregivers are a central part of our service model and have dedicated weekly appointments just for them! Erin is passionate about co-creating Caregiver Support Plans that are person-centered and recognize each individual's unique skills, life experience, and goals so you get the most out of your time with her.
Additionally, Erin loves building and leading her team of incredibly multi-talented professionals as they serve their clients. When she isn’t working you can find Erin spending time with her family either outside in the garden or the forest OR making something yummy in the kitchen!
Get to know Erin better by listening to this podcast interview!!
The ABA Clinical Team
ABA Therapy at Dragonfly is supervised by our Clinical Supervisor & RBA (Ont). with valuable support from our Senior Therapists. The ABA Therapy Clinical team at Dragonfly is passionate about creating programming that focuses on the unique strengths and needs of each family and client.
Programming goals are designed to be targeted in the client’s home and community environment to best support their long-term success.
Sadie
Hartwick,
MADS, RBA (Ont), BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
Sadie ensures that Clinical Oversight of ABA Therapy programs at Dragonfly Family and Learning Services go beyond the base requirements!
Every family receives the highest quality experience from assessment through to discharge. Sadie brings not only top-quality clinical expertise, but she also brings the fun! You will love watching your child go through an assessment or session supervision with Sadie full of smiles and laughter!
Sadie holds a Master’s degree in Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in ABA and is a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) in Ontario as well as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). Before stepping into her current role as Dragonfly’s Clinical Supervisor, Sadie worked closely with our clinical team as a Senior Therapist, following two years of hands-on experience as an Instructor Therapist at Dragonfly.
Sadie’s favourite part of her work at Dragonfly is building strong, lasting relationships with her clients and celebrating their milestones and successes along the way!
Outside of her professional life, Sadie loves spending time outdoors with her dogs or baking delicious treats in the kitchen.
Your family can feel confident knowing your child is part of Sadie’s caseload!
Brianna Murray
B.A. Soc. Welfare, MADS (Candidate)
Senior Therapist
Brianna graduated from Nipissing University with a Bachelors of Art with a major in Social Welfare and Development before completing the Autism and Behavioural Sciences Certificate from Algonquin College in 2022. In Fall 2023 Brianna began Brock University’s Master’s of Applied Disability Studies program!
Brianna first started working with neurodivergent youth as a resource support staff at a daycare, and later worked as an educational assistant prior to her role at Dragonfly. Brianna’s growth during her time with Dragonfly Family and Learning Services Inc has resulting in her be promoted to Lead Instructor Therapist to Senior Therapist, where she works alongside the clinical team conducting assessments, co-creating client programming, supporting Instructor Therapists, as well as working directly with clients.
In her free time, you can find Brianna spending time with her friends and family – especially her cats and puppy!
The ABA Instructor Therapist Team
Our Instructor Therapists are the heart and soul of the Dragonfly ABA Team!
Instructor Therapists spend the majority of Dragonfly’s time with ABA clients right in their homes getting to know the whole family and what is important to each of them.
Each of our Instructor Therapists have a long history of supporting neurodivergent individuals and combine this experience with their post-secondary education to arrive to your home prepared to curate a session of fun and learning for your child focused on goals that are the most meaningful for your entire family.
Mikhaela Graham
B.A. Pysch, ABS
Instructor Therapist
Mikhaela graduated from Laurentian University with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. During this time, she developed a curiosity for supporting neurodivergent individuals which then prompted her to returned to school and obtain an Autism and Behavioural Sciences Certificate from Algonquin College.
Mikhaela started her journey in the field working with older individuals with intellectual disabilities and wanted to grow her knowledge and experience with the younger generation. She was primarily raised in Renfrew County and has seen the growth in available local services and wants to continue to play a part in supporting the community through these agencies, like Dragonfly.
During Mikhaela’s spare time, she can be found out on the water or hanging out with her dogs & chickens, husband, family and friends!
Selina is dedicated to continuing education, after completing a diploma in social service work, she has completed multiple Child Development courses and is working towards completing her Childhood Mental Health Certification.
Selina joins the Dragonfly family with over 10 years of experience in working with children with exceptional needs. Selina started her journey with children with multiple medical and concurrent disorders and over the past 10 years she has worked with the County of Renfrew as Support Staff in child care settings as well as within the school system as an Education Assistant.
In her spare time, you can find Selina spending time with her children and husband out on the water in the summer and at ski hills over the winter. Selina loves working with her husband to help rescue and rehabilitate rescue dogs and give them a chance to find a FURever home.
Brandon Layman
BA Psych
Instructor Therapist
Brandon graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University which helped to develop his passion for helping neurodivergent individuals, and finding creative solutions to help them achieve their goals. In the Fall of 2023, Brandon started Athabasca University’s Master's in Counselling program and is very eager to apply what he learns in his courses to his professional career.
Brandon started his career at Community Living in Barry's Bay where he gained invaluable experience with the disability community. Through this experience, Brandon found his passion for improving life skills and achieving important milestones alongside the individuals he supports. Brandon especially loves working and thriving in the chaotic environments that comes with this line of work, and finding inspiration for problem solving in new places.
Brandon is very excited to learn and grow with the team at Dragonfly, and can't wait to develop new skills surrounded by great people.
In his free time, you can find Brandon hanging out with his puppy or [headbanging?] at heavy metal concerts.
Paige graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Developmental Services Work, but Paige first discovered her passion and drive to support neurodivergent individuals while in high school. Paige gained valuable experience working with neurodivergent individuals while completing a co op in school settings and confirmed her career plan.
After graduating college, Paige began her career providing recreational programming at both Miramichi Lodge and Community Living- Pembroke. Paige prioritizes dignity and fun in her work and with everyone she meets while out in the community.
Paige is excited to join the team here at Dragonfly Family and Learning Services and to grow as an Instructor Therapist!
In her free time, you can find Paige reading sappy romance novels or listening to Taylor Swift.
Amber graduated with Honours from Cambrian College with an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Work, driven by her lifelong passion for working with kids.
Amber began her career at Madawaska Valley Association for Community Living, where she spent 10 years gaining experience, crafting her skills and supporting individuals with diverse needs. Now, Amber is excited to channel her energy into working with the younger kiddos.
On her down time, Amber loves spending time with her family. You can often find them enjoying outdoor adventures and soaking up some sunshine!
Laila has a BA in Social Work with a focus on mental health and addiction, earned in Germany. She began her career with a focus on traumatized youth , and later supported adults with intellectual disabilities. She is now ready to circle back to her passion for working with children!
Currently pursuing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, Laila is excited to join the Dragonfly team and continue her professional growth.
Outside of work, Laila enjoys training her horse, Nimbus, and practicing equestrian vaulting!
Admin Team
Kayla graduated with Honours from Willis College receiving a Diploma in Addictions and Community Service Work and brings to Dragonfly her passion for advocacy work and disability rights; a passion born from both professional and personal experiences.
Kayla has experience working in community service organizations prior to joining the Dragonfly Team and is eager to bring her administrative skills to the team to help us to serve our amazing clients.
In Kayla’s free time, you might find them scouring antique stores for a new treasure or curled up with a good book!