ELLEN YACK

Director

M.Ed., B.Sc., O.T. OT Reg. (Ont.)

Ellen Yack has practiced as an occupational therapist since 1979 and has a Masters Degree in Education. She is the Director of Ellen Yack and Associates Paediatric Therapy Services, a private agency providing occupational therapy and psychotherapy services to children, adolescents and their families in Toronto and surrounding areas.

Ellen is recognized for her expertise working with individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorders global developmental delays, developmental coordination disorders, learning disabilities, developmental trauma disorder and disorders of self-regulation. Ellen is certified to provide DIR ® Floortime intervention and the Play Project. She has provided consultation to various settings that serve children and adults with autism including the Geneva Centre for Autism and the Autism Team at the Toronto District Catholic School Board.

Ellen has supported various child and adolescent group homes in the creation of sensory rooms. Ellen is a trauma-sensitive practitioner and has been contracted by various Children’s Aid Societies and Mental Health Agencies to provide assessments and to develop recommendations for children who have sensory and self-regulation challenges related to their trauma history. Ellen provided training and consultation to Covenant House to develop staff knowledge of diversity and sensory motor tools to support mental health.

Ellen conducts a variety of workshops across Canada and has published in her field. She is one of the co-authors of the book Building Bridges through Sensory Integration: Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders and is a contributor to the books Children, Youth and Adults with Asperger Syndrome and Auditory-Verbal Therapy for Young Children with Hearing Loss and their Families, and Practitioners who Guide Them.

In addition to her clinical work, Ellen offers parenting workshops with a focus on normal development, sensory processing, play, self-regulation, feeding, behaviour and social skills. Ellen also consults to corporations and school boards to support the creation of child-friendly play spaces.

Ellen is the recipient of the University of Toronto Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy 2023 Alumni Achievement Award and the Autism Ontario 2023 Gerry Bloomfield Professional Award.

Publications

Building Bridges through Sensory Integration: Therapy for Children with Autism and other PDDs

Children, Youth and Adults with Asperger Syndrome

Auditory-Verbal Therapy: For Young Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families, and the Practitioners Who Guide Them

Workshop Presentations

  • Holland Bloorview’s Autism Summit (Toronto, 2022)

  • Sensory Processgin, Behaviour and Mental Health: Theoretical Concepts and Practical Tools (Toronto, Radius Child and Youth Services, 2021)

  • Workshop Series: Executive Functions, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Impact of Sensory Processing on Mental Health and Behaviour, Trauma Covenant House, Toronto, 2021

  • Professional Collaboration: Occupational Therapy and Developmental Optometry (Toronto, November 2019)

  • Developing a Sensory Lens to Enhance Your Paediatric Practice (Toronto, September 2019)

  • Agents of Change: Occupational Therapy Services to Children with ASD (Toronto, June 2019)

  • Creating Sensory Environments in Youth Justice Settings (Ontario Ministry of Community, Mental Health and Childrens Services, March 2019)

  • Sensory Processing and Impact on Behaviour and Mental Health (March 2019, Toronto, George Hull Centre for Children and Families)

  • Developing a Sensory Lens to Enhance Your Paediatric Practice (London, Thames Valley Children’s Treatment Centre, 2018)

  • Introduction to DIR/Floortime (Toronto, Under the Umbrella Tree Services for Children with ASD, May 2018)

  • Self-Regulation in the Classroom (2017 Avon Maitland District School Board)

  • Sensory Integration Theory: An Essential Lens for Paediatric Occupational Therapy (2017 University of Toronto)

  • ASD and Sensory Differences (2017 Giant Steps School)

  • Understanding Self-Regulation and the Zones of Regulation (2017, 2016 Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre)

  • Triggers, Treatment and Tools: A Comprehensive Exploration of Self-Regulation (2016 Toronto)

  • Understanding Sensory and Motor Challenges Experienced by Children with Hearing Loss (2016 WESS Conference)

  • Pulling it Together: A Comprehensive Approach to Feeding Challenges (2016, Toronto)

  • Self-Regulation in the Classroom (2016 Bialek Hebrew Day School)

  • Sensory Processing and Children’s Mental Health (2016 Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Paediatric Committee)

  • Breaking Barriers, Expanding Roles: Sensory Integration Theory and Mental Health (2016 Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists

  • Understanding the Links Between Sensory Processing, Behaviour and Mental Health (2016 Toronto District School Board, 2015 Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre 2015 Hincks Dellcrest Centre for Mental Health)

  • Screen Time in the Classroom: Let’s Open a Dialogue (2015 The Mabin School)

  • Understanding the Impact of Sensory Processing Challenges on Classroom Performance (2015 Avon Maitland District Board of Education, 2015York Region Board of Education)

  • Agents of Change for Children with ASD (2015 Ontario Society for Occupational Therapists)

  • ASD and Motor Challenges (2013, Geneva Centre for Autism)

  • Becoming Detectives: Analyzing Sensory and Behaviour Challenges in Children and Adults with ASD (2013, Halifax, 2014 Winnipeg, Autism Awareness Centre)

  • Sensory Processing and Challenging Behaviour: Investigating the Links and

  • Developing the Tools to Solve the Challenges (2014 Toronto District Catholic School Board, 2014 Kerry’s Place Autism Services Resource Centre)

  • Developing a Sensory Lens to Enhance Your Paediatric Practice (2014 Toronto)

  • Use of Sensory Modalities in Adult Mental Health Settings (2014 Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health)

  • Understanding Sensory Processing to Foster Self-Regulation and Emotional Control (2014 Child Development Institute-Integra Program)

  • Utilizing a Sensory Integration Theoretical Framework in Paediatric Practice (2012 Queens University)

  • Sensory Challenges and Impact on Behaviour: Insights and Accommodations (2013 Child Development Institute, 2012 Autism Ontario)

  • Utilizing a Sensory Integration Theoretical Framework in the Home, School and Preschool (2012 Kelowna, British Columbia, 2012 Calgary, Alberta)

  • Building Partnerships: Exploring OT and SLP Co-Treatment for Children with ASD (2012 Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists)

  • ASD and the Role of Occupational Therapy (2011 Kidsability)

  • Sensory Processing and Behaviour: Insights and Accommodations (2011, Perth Community Health Services)

  • ASD Occupational Therapy Certificate Course (2010, Geneva Centre for Autism)

Parenting Workshops

  • Self-Regulation and Social Thinking (2018, Toronto)

  • Sensory Differences and ASD (2017 Giant Steps School)

  • Helping Your Anxious Child (2016 Howard Public School)

  • Supporting Campers: Sensory Tools and Tips (2016 Ontario Camping Association, 2015 Camp George)

  • How to Get Your Child to “Settle Down” (2015 Toronto)

  • Put Away the I-pad and Bring out the Pots and Pans (2014 Toronto)

  • Tools and Tips from Zero to Six (2012 Toronto)

  • Understanding Picky Eaters (2012 Toronto)