The Portia Learning Centre

11/19/2025

🌟 MEET THE TEAM: Kari Morrow 🌟
Clinical Director, Registered Behaviour Analyst, MPEd, BCBA, R.B.A (Ont.)

Kari has been part of The Portia Learning Centre since 2014, starting as an Instructor Therapist and now serving as Clinical Director at our Nepean location. 💙

A Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Registered Behaviour Analyst in Ontario, Kari holds a Master of Professional Education in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Western University. She brings a wealth of experience, clinical insight, and compassion to every aspect of her work.

Kari is passionate about supporting children in developing communication skills, reducing challenging behaviours, and navigating school transitions with confidence. She also plays a key role in mentoring and supervising future professionals in the field of ABA.

Her thoughtful leadership and unwavering dedication make her an integral part of the Portia team.

Thank you for all that you do, Kari! 💙

11/11/2025

Did You Know We Offer Parent Training Opportunities?🤔💡

Portia Learning offers parent training services designed to involve families in the learning process. Parents and siblings are welcome to attend sessions to observe how skills are taught, reinforced and generalized across different environments.

Learn More Here: https://www.portialearning.com/services/parent-support-guidance/

11/06/2025

🥶 Cold weather is coming - here's how to prepare.

Getting kids dressed in winter gear means zippers, buttons, shoelaces, and snaps. For children developing fine motor skills, these small tasks can turn mornings into a challenge.

The good news? You can start practicing now with simple activities that build hand strength and coordination:

🎨 Play dough - Rolling, squeezing, and shaping strengthens hand muscles
✏️ Colouring - Holding crayons and markers improves grip and precision
🧵 Lacing - Threading beads or lacing cards builds hand-eye coordination
🧩 Puzzles - Inset puzzles develop finger strength and dexterity

These activities make learning feel like play - while preparing your child for independent dressing this winter.

https://www.portialearning.com/

10/31/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween from the Portia Learning Centre 🎃

What an amazing day celebrating Halloween across all our locations. Our staff brought so much creativity, joy, and Halloween spirit.

We celebrated with festive crafts, a Mad Libs board, and trick-or-treating at our special Halloween door. Everyone had a blast!

Thank you to our incredible teams in Ottawa and Whitby for making this day so special.

These moments of learning through play are what we're all about 🧡

10/31/2025

Thanks so much, TutorBright 📣💙

🎓 How ABA Therapy Supports Executive Function

This week, we’re partnering with The Portia Learning Centre to show how ABA therapy can help children build executive function skills (like planning, focus, and emotional regulation) and how tutoring can reinforce these skills for success at school and beyond.

From breaking tasks into manageable steps to celebrating small successes, this approach boosts confidence, independence, and learning enjoyment.

✨ Learn practical strategies for supporting executive function in children, whether at home or in the classroom.

🔗 Read the full blog here: https://www.tutorbright.com/blog/how-aba-therapy-supports-executive-function

10/29/2025

Looking for free ABA printable materials you can use at home? 🧩

We’ve rounded up a great collection of parent-friendly resources from Shiny Educational Resources — all available for free through our new ABA Printable Materials page.

These worksheets and visuals are perfect for practicing ABA strategies, daily routines, and social skills at home.

👉 Check them out here: https://www.portialearning.com/resources/aba-printable-materials/

Shared with thanks to Shiny Educational Resources for creating and sharing such helpful materials for the ABA community. 💙

10/23/2025

🌟 MEET THE TEAM: Brianna Delaney 🌟
Supervised Clinical Lead, BA., Psych

Brianna serves as Supervised Clinical Lead at our East-end location, providing training and clinical support to Instructor Therapists while delivering personalized 1:1 therapy to clients and families.

Since joining Portia, she's developed a passion for creating positive impacts through her dual role in staff mentorship and direct client care. Brianna fosters a collaborative learning environment and plays a key role in maintaining high-quality clinical services.

Thank you, Brianna! 💙

10/16/2025

🎉 Celebrating One Year with Jania! 🎉

This month marks one year since Jania joined The Portia Learning Centre, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her dedication, compassion, and commitment to our learners and families.

With a strong background in Autism and Behavioural Science, Jania brings a thoughtful, client-centred approach to every session. Her ability to connect with children, support emotional regulation, and implement individualized ABA strategies has made her an invaluable part of our team.

⭐ From her early work supporting children with autism and developmental needs to her ongoing growth as an Instructor Therapist, Jania continues to exemplify our Portia values.

Please join us in congratulating Jania on her first anniversary at Portia! 💙

10/14/2025

🎯 Think You Know ABA? Think Again!

❌ MYTH: "ABA is rigid table-work" ✔️ REALITY: We use play-based, child-led learning

❌ MYTH: "It uses punishment" ✔️ REALITY: 100% positive reinforcement approach

❌ MYTH: "Kids become robotic" ✔️ REALITY: We celebrate individuality & build genuine connections

Modern ABA looks nothing like outdated stereotypes. See the difference experience makes.

Learn the truth 👉 https://www.portialearning.com/blog/aba-myths-vs-reality-why-modern-aba-looks-nothing-like-what-you-think/

10/09/2025

🎉 CELEBRATING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE! 🎉

We're incredibly proud to announce that Yigit Ali Paputcu, one of our dedicated Lead Therapists, has had his undergraduate thesis poster published in the Carleton Undergraduate Journal of Science!

His dedication to both clinical excellence and advancing the field through research exemplifies the calibre of professionals on our team. We're honoured to have someone so committed to improving autism services for all families.

Congratulations, Yigit! Your passion for inclusive mental health makes a real difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. 👏

10/07/2025

🍁 THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL FALL FEST! 🍁

What an amazing day at the Canadian Forces Morale & Welfare Services - CFMWS Fall Festival!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth on Saturday. It was wonderful connecting with military families and sharing how we can support your children's journey.

A special shoutout to the organizers for hosting such a fantastic community event!

We're grateful to be part of this supportive community. 💙

10/02/2025

🍁 SEE YOU THIS SATURDAY! 🍁

The Portia Learning Centre will be at the Canadian Forces Morale & Welfare Services - CFMWS MFS NCR Fall Festival!

📅 THIS Saturday, October 4
⏰ 1:00 - 4:00 PM
📍 Uplands Military Community Centre
330 Croil Pvt., Bldg 471, Ottawa

Rain or shine - we'll be there! ☔️☀️
https://www.cfmws.ca/national-capital-region/events-activities/events/fall-festival