Autism
Ottawa ABA Academy
Dr. Jeff Sherman
Clinical Supervisor
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(OAP) Provider
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C.Psych, Ph.D. RBA Clinical Psychology York University, 1977.
Specializing in autism treatment, child behavior management, and adolescent counseling. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Sherman has helped children, youth, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental needs. He is a widely respected psychologist who has worked across Durham Region, Ottawa, and surrounding areas, making a significant impact in the autism treatment community.
Dr. Sherman is skilled in providing personalized, evidence-based interventions to support children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD), as well as other developmental challenges. He focuses on improving communication, social skills, and emotional regulation while helping children develop skills for greater independence.In addition to his expertise in autism therapy.
Dr. Sherman utilizes a range of therapeutic approaches, including:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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(ACT)Addiction Support
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Anger Management
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Art Therapy
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Brain spotting Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Clinical Therapy Child
He is Fluent in both English and French, Dr. Sherman is able to offer comprehensive care to a wide range of families. His clinical oversight at Ottawa ABA Academy ensures that every child receives individualized behavior intervention plans to help them thrive in a structured and supportive environment.
Milad Berenjkar.PhD
Director
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Senior Therapist
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Ph.D. Philosophy of Education, Azad Science and Research University Tehran . 2014-2018.
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Tonekabon Azad University, Master's degree in Research in education, 2010-2012.
Milad is an experienced educator and behavior therapist with a rich background in teaching psychology and education courses at both university and college levels. With a career that began in 2006, Milad has spent over a decade developing and delivering courses in areas such as research methods, statistics, the psychology of education, philosophy of education, and special education.
Milad holds a PhD in Education and a Master's degree in Research in Education, specializing in special education. In his teaching roles, he has educated and mentored students, focusing on equipping them with foundational knowledge and practical skills. He is also experienced in designing and implementing individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with special needs.
In addition to his teaching career, Milad has worked as a Behavior Therapist, Team Lead Behavior Therapist, and Youth Worker, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavior modification, and youth support programs. His broad skill set allows him to integrate academic theory with practical therapeutic approaches, benefiting both students and clients.
Milad has earned a range of certifications, including First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, and certifications in behavioral therapy and Indigenous awareness. He is passionate about fostering learning environments that empower individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
Jennifer Wyatt
Clinical Supervisor
- OAP Provider
- BCBA-Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
- RBA-Registered Behaviour Analysts
- Yorkville University Master's degree of Counselling Psychology, 2013.
With over 20 years of experience in the autism field across the Ottawa region, our Clinical Supervisor brings a depth of knowledge and compassionate leadership to our team. Her professional background spans in-home treatment, residential care, crisis intervention, and center-based ABA therapy, supporting individuals across the lifespan—from early childhood through adulthood.
As the founder of Edelweiss Private Academy, the first Ministry of Education–registered private school in Ontario to offer small-ratio ABA classrooms, she has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to innovation in specialized education. Her work has supported children with diverse learning needs in highly individualized, evidence-based environments.
Throughout her career, She has trained and mentored numerous staff in key Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) methodologies, including Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Verbal Behaviour (VB), and Direct Instruction (DI). She has worked with individuals with a wide range of diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), Down syndrome, mood disorders, and more—supporting both verbal and non-verbal individuals.
She has had the privilege of being supervised and mentored for over two decades by Dr. Jeff Sherman, who trained directly with Dr. Ivar Lovaas, a pioneer in the development of ABA for individuals with autism. This mentorship has helped shape a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and clinical excellence.
In addition to her ABA expertise, she is also a registered qualifying psychotherapist in Ontario. This dual perspective allows her to support not only skill development in children but also the emotional well-being of individuals and their families—particularly as they navigate diagnosis and ongoing life transitions.
Her passion lies in helping each individual reach their fullest potential and in empowering families through compassionate, collaborative care.
Queen Pinamang
Lead Therapist
Operation Manager
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University of Ottawa, Bachelor's degree, Art and psychology, Honours, Present
Queen Pinamang, a compassionate Registered Behavior Technician and ABA Therapist, is dedicated to empowering children and youth with developmental disabilities. Through her tailored behavior support plans, Queen's core mission is to help each child reach their potential. She is currently studying Psychology with a minor in Philosophy at the University of Ottawa. Queen blends academic insight and hands-on expertise to infuse empathy and creativity into every ABA session. Her practical experience spans a variety of settings, including schools and private clinics, where she works with children of different age groups, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of diverse developmental needs.
As Lead Therapist, Queen directs all aspects of program delivery, working closely with diverse professionals to ensure each child receives exceptional care. She places a strong emphasis on collaboration with families, actively partnering with them throughout the therapy process. Queen values the insights and involvement of parents, understanding that they are vital in reinforcing strategies and celebrating progress at home. Her unwavering commitment enables children to flourish, gain independence, and build confidence, embodying her core goal as an ABA therapist.
Jasmine Bonenfant
Lead Therapist
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University of Ottawa, Bachelor's degree, Arts in Psychology (Honors), 2026
Jasmine Bonenfant is a Lead Behaviour Therapist dedicated to supporting children and youth with developmental and behavioural needs through compassionate and individualized care. She graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and combines academic knowledge with hands-on experience to provide engaging and effective ABA therapy. Jasmine hold a Behavior Technician (RBT) certificate and is CPR certified, allowing her to deliver safe, evidence-based support to children and families.
Jasmine is passionate about helping each child build the skills needed to become confident and independent individuals. She believes every child has unique potential and that, with the proper support and encouragement, they can flourish in meaningful ways. Her strengths include building positive therapeutic relationships, creating supportive and engaging learning environments, maintaining patience and adaptability, and collaborating closely with families to support ongoing progress.
Jasmine’s warm and enthusiastic approach, combined with her genuine love for working with children, allows her to create meaningful connections with the families she supports. She is committed to helping children grow in confidence, develop important life skills, and experience success both within therapy sessions and in their everyday lives.
Elahe Azin
CEO
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Behaviour Therapist
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Tonekabon Azad University, Master's degree in Clinical psychology, 2018.
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Tonekabon Azad University, B.A, Clinical psychology, 2008.
Elahe Azin is a dedicated Behavior Therapist at Ottawa ABA Academy, specializing in supporting children and youth with autism. She began her career in the field in 2005 and has over a decade of experience in behavioral therapy, she is passionate about helping clients develop essential life skills and healthier thought patterns to overcome challenges.
Elaheh holds a Master’s degree in General Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology, providing her with a deep understanding of behavior management and therapy. Her expertise spans case management, crisis intervention, and both individual and group counseling, ensuring compassionate, evidence-based care for her clients.
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In addition to her clinical work, Elaheh is certified in First Aid and has received training in Critical Thinking, Anger Management, and sexual health and wellness. She has also worked as a
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Behaviour Therapist
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Special Education Counselor
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supporting students with diverse learning needs
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Child and Youth Support Worker
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Autism Support Associate.
where she worked closely with individuals facing disabilities and mental health challenges.
Elaheh is committed to delivering effective, personalized care to empower her clients in overcoming obstacles and achieving their developmental goals.
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Uma D. Bucha. PhD
Clinical Director
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(OAP)Provider
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Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2017–2023)
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Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis – Florida Institute of Technology (2009–2010)
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Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Science and Autism – Seneca College, Toronto, ON (2006–2007)
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Master of Science in Applied Psychology – Brunel University, United Kingdom (2002–2004)
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Graduate Certificate in Human and Social Services – Edith Cowan University, Australia (2001)
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Queens College, City University of New York, USA (1995–2000)
Uma D. Bucha is a highly experienced Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) with over 20 years of expertise in the field of autism, developmental disabilities, and applied behavior analysis (ABA). She has worked extensively in Canada, the United States, and internationally, supporting children, youth, and families through individualized therapy, consultation, and parent training.
Ms Bucha holds a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and advanced training in behavior science and autism from institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Throughout her career, she has served as a clinical supervisor, professor, consultant, and senior BCBA across hospitals, schools, early intervention programs, and private clinics.
Her clinical expertise includes functional behavior assessments, developing individualized behavior support plans, staff and parent training, crisis prevention, and implementing evidence-based interventions such as PECS, Pivotal Response Treatment, and Verbal Behavior. She is also trained in a wide range of developmental and behavioral assessment tools, including ADOS, CARS, ABLLS-R, AFLS, and VB-MAPP.
Beyond her clinical practice, Uma Bucha is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), Ontario Association for Behavior Analysts (ONTABA), and the Canadian ASD Alliance. She is fluent in English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Creole, and has a working knowledge of Spanish, which helps her connect with diverse families and communities.
At Ottawa ABA Academy, Uma Bucha brings her dedication, compassion, and deep knowledge of ABA to help clients reach their full potential, while guiding families with empathy, professionalism, and care.
Emilia Macchione
Clinical Supervisor
-(OAP provider)
- BCBA-Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
- RBA-Registered Behaviour Analysts
- Florida Institute of Technology BCBA Applied Behavior Analysis2020 - 2022
- York University Master's degree Education Cumulative 2015 – 2016
Emilia is a Registered Behaviour Analyst supervising children at The Ottawa ABA Academy. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and is a registered behaviour analyst since 2022. Emilia has been working in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) since 2017 where she started as an instructor therapist and grew into a clinical role. In addition, Emilia is also the proud owner of The Beautiful Mind ABA & Tutoring Academy in Ontario, where she leads a passionate team dedicated to individualized learning and behaviour support in ABA and tutoring in the home setting.
With a strong foundation in school and home-based interventions, Emilia is committed to creating meaningful, lasting changes in the lives of children. Her approach is collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based—always tailored to meet the unique needs of each learner. Emilia brings years of experience in both ABA and education, and she is deeply committed to creating individualized learning environments where children feel supported, empowered, and understood. Her approach blends compassion, evidence-based strategies, and creativity—ensuring that each child’s unique needs, strengths, and learning styles are honored.
April Desiree Estipona
Lead Therapist
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Ateneo de Davao University, Bachelor's degree, Arts in Psychology (Honors), 2023
April Desiree Estipona graduated with a Bachelor of Arts major in Psychology from Ateneo de Davao University, earning the academic distinction of Magna Cum Laude. In 2025, she passed the Philippine Licensure Examination for Psychometricians and became a registered Psychometrician in the same year. She previously worked as a Guidance Facilitator at Holy Cross of Mintal, Inc., where she spent two years providing and organizing mental health services for students, parents, and staff. Currently, she is pursuing Social Service Worker studies at Algonquin College.
Alongside her studies, April works as a Supervised Lead Therapist at Ottawa ABA Academy, a center that provides services for children with special needs. She is deeply passionate about supporting children in reaching their fullest potential through individualized, compassionate, and evidence-based care. Her experience in behavioral intervention has strengthened her commitment to creating safe and empowering environments where children can develop confidence, independence, and meaningful life skills. Driven by empathy and advocacy, she aspires to continue making a positive impact on the lives of children and families through accessible and inclusive mental health and social services.
Emily Wilson
Office Manager
Lead Therapist
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Carleton University, Bachelor's degree, Arts in Psychology (Honors), Peresent.
Carleton University, Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Combined Major in Linguistics and Psychology, Present
Emily Wilson is a dedicated Lead Therapist and hold Behaviour Technician certificate (RBT) at Ottawa ABA Academy, with over five years of experience supporting children and youth, particularly those who are neurodivergent. She specializes in implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programs across a variety of settings, including clinic, home, and community environments, with a focus on fostering communication, independence, and meaningful skill development. Emily is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Linguistics and Psychology at Carleton University. Her academic background strengthens her approach to therapy, particularly in language development, social communication, and understanding behaviour through both psychological and linguistic perspectives.
Throughout her career, Emily has worked in diverse roles supporting children, university students, and seniors, which has given her a well-rounded and adaptable approach to care. She has extensive experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, supervising program implementation, and guiding other therapists to ensure high-quality service delivery. In her role as Lead Therapist, Emily is committed to creating individualized, evidence-based programs while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with families.
Emily is passionate about helping each individual reach their full potential. She is known for her empathetic, patient-centered approach and her ability to create engaging, supportive environments where clients feel understood, confident, and motivated to grow.