The Building Links Team:
Dr. Kim Cornish
Dr. Kim Cornish was the original coordinator of the Building Links Project. She works at Australia's Monash University as the Head of Discipline, Psychology and Deputy Head of the School of Psychology and Psychiatry; she is also the Director of the Developmental Neuroscience and Genetic Disorders Laboratory. She has almost 20 years of experience of assessing and working with students with differing developmental disabilities and their families and teachers. Her areas of expertise involve defining cognitive and academic "signatures" in children with disabilities such as fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, autism and ADHD.
Dr. Tara Flanagan
Dr. Tara Flanagan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University and is the Director of SPARC (Social Policy, Advocacy, Research, Community) which is based in the Faculty of Education. Dr. Flanagan’s main research and theoretical interests lie in the areas of Social Cognition, Social Inclusion, and Social Policy for persons with Developmental Disabilities. Her particular expertise is in the area of transitions from school to the community for young adults with Developmental Disabilities.
Kim Daniel
Kim S. Daniel is a PhD Candidate in the Counselling Psychology program and the research coordinator of the Building Links Project at McGill University. Her research and professional clinical experience has demonstrated the critical importance of using a multi-disciplinary approach to research and practice (e.g. integrating counselling psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, disability studies with education) in order to identify the barriers that prevent educators at all levels from fully embracing the inclusion of students with differing developmental disabilities into regular classrooms.
Lynda Simone Rochester
Lynda Simone Rochester completed her Masters degree in the School/Applied Child Psychology program at McGill University, and has been working with the Building Links project since its inception. She is presently working with the francophone aspect of this project, Créer des Liens.
Marina Dupasquier
Marina S. Dupasquier is a PhD Student in the School/Applied Child Psychology program at McGill University. Before beginning her Master’s Degree under the supervision of Dr. Kim Cornish, she competed her B.A. (Honours) at the University of Manitoba in 2006. Her current research focuses on parent perceptions of inclusive education, and the factors impeding successful integration of children with developmental disabilities into regular classrooms. This research will contribute to the design and development of the Building Links Project website.
Michael Sornberger
Michael Sornberger is a PhD Student in the School/Applied Child Psychology program at McGill University. He is a research associate with the Building Links project, helping to write some of the web-based content, and coordinating with Dr. Flanagan to organize the online phase of the project.
Consultants:
Aniko Burjan
Aniko Burjan has a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from McGill University, with a focus on Inclusive Education. Aniko has 12 years of clinical experience working with children with Developmental Disabilities in various cultural settings. Her main area of expertise involves Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities. She also teaches workshops to school and daycare educators aiming to increase the understanding of the unique features of various disabilities and promote the inclusion of children with special needs.
Maria di Stasio
Maria Di Stasio is a PhD student in Educational Psychology, in the Human Development program at Mc Gill University. She has been involved with research for ABRACADABRA- a web-based literacy tool that reflects a balanced curriculum, with the latest evidenced-based research strategies for reading intervention. Her doctoral work will explore preschool children’s literacy skills and social-emotional development. Maria has also assisted in a research project examining the impact of Inclusive Resource Models in the New Frontiers School Board. Maria has 7 years experience as a specialized educator working with children diagnosed with a Developmental Disability, mainly with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also a substitute teacher in high school, for the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board.
Dr. Lisa Reisinger
Dr. Reisinger is a clinician for the Autism Spectrum Disorders Program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. She is also a part-time lecturer for McGill University in the departments of Educational Psychology and the Center for Educational Leadership. Dr. Reisinger was previously a certified elementary school teacher and has worked in the public school system for over 10 years. She is currently involved in the research and diagnosis of children with developmental disabilities. She continues to provide teacher-based seminars aimed at the teaching of children with autism, language instruction for children with developmental disabilities, and children with severe behavior disorders.
School Boards:
Lester B. Pearson School Board
Riverside School Board
Central Quebec School Board
New Frontiers School Board
Our Partners:
Fonds de recherche sur la société et la culture Québec (FQRSC)
Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University
