TESS WORTLEY

Social Service Worker, Behavioural Support Worker, and Occupational Therapy Assistant

Tess is a social service worker, behavioural support worker, and occupational therapy assistant
with extensive experience supporting autistic and non speaking children, as well as children with
complex sensory, communication, and regulatory needs. She is currently undergoing Individual
Assessment with the College of Early Childhood Educators and has pending registration with
the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

She has spent over a decade in roles including support worker, outdoor educator, inclusive adventure guide,
behaviour therapist, and preschool and kindergarten teacher in enriched early years settings.
Tess holds an Honours BA in International Development from the University of Guelph and
completed her Social Service Worker diploma at George Brown College. Her practitioner
training includes counselling, motivational interviewing, nonviolent crisis intervention and
deescalation, trauma informed practice, paediatric CPR, case management, and community
resource navigation.

Her practice is strengths based, sensory integration informed, neurodiversity affirming, and
grounded in culturally competent, anti oppressive, and family systems frameworks. Tess draws
on DIR/Floortime and developmental play based approaches, bringing a warm, attuned, and
joyful presence that supports co regulation, participation, and connection. Her background as a
competitive dancer, national level cross country skier, and lifelong vocal musician informs her
use of movement, rhythm, music, and nature to enhance engagement and regulation.
Tess is committed to ongoing mentorship, supervision, and continued learning, and is excited to
support children and families at EYA through an integrated blend of social service work,
behavioural support, and occupational therapy principles.