In this episode, Kathleen and Benton talk to BCASP member and school psychologist in Surrey, Olivia Paddack (she/her). We are joined by Amy Cannava (she/her) a school psychologist from the United States and chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Committee with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) . Both Olivia and Amy arepassionate about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and raising awareness amongst school psychologists and other professionals on how we can better serve and support this population.

Olivia wrote the BCASP position statement about supportivepractices for 2SLGBTQ+ clients, aligned with legal and professional guidelines. Amy has authored or co-authored guidance documents with NASP as well asnumerous journal chapters.

BC Resources:

SARAVYC (UBC): ⁠https://www.saravyc.ubc.ca/research/⁠   

SHER Pride: ⁠https://www.sherpride.ca/about⁠

Emergence, documentary by SHER: ⁠https://emergencefilm.net/⁠

TransCare BC for online resources and workshops: ⁠https://www.transcarebc.ca/education-centre?mid=4331&time=1770675627⁠

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)⁠Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth Position Statement

⁠SafeSchools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students⁠

⁠SupportingLGBTQ+ Youth During Troubling Times⁠ 

⁠SupportingLGBTQ+ Youth When Policies Mandate Discrimination⁠

⁠SchoolSafety and Crisis Response Considerations for Serving LGBTQIA+ Youth⁠⁠SupportingStudents Amid Political Events: Tips for Families and Educator⁠

SupportingSexual/Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents in Schools⁠(APA & NASP)

⁠Understandingthe Evolving Legal Landscape for LGBTQ+ Students⁠ (Communique Volume 52Issue 8, PP. 12-16)

⁠PolicyThreats and Challenges - Critical Information for School Psychology Leaders⁠Advocatingfor LGBTQ Students with Disabilities⁠

 (Revised by HRC Welcoming Schools, 2024 ⁠NavigatingSupports for LGBTQ+ Students Receiving Special Education Services⁠)

 ⁠NASPCondemns State & Local Efforts to Undermine Transgender Youth Rights and Wellbein⁠g

⁠GenderInclusive Schools⁠ 

NASP Self-Study Prof. Development

⁠Advocatingfor LGBTQ+ Students in Unfriendly Settings⁠ (May 20, 2026; 3:00-4:00 EST)

School psychologists often operate in environmentswith restrictive laws or unsupportive community attitudes toward LGBTQ+ youth.This webinar examineslanguage around LGBTQ+ identification, offers tips for navigating ethical andlegal constraints, provides guidance for talking with others about theseissues, and explores a case study addressing a transgender student’s socialtransition at school. Participants will leave with extensiveexamples and resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students in theircommunities.  

⁠TrueColors Shining Bright: WAIPER Schools for LGBTQIA+ Youth, Staff, and Families⁠

There are multitude of organizations and programs whichpromote inclusive (Gender Spectrum), welcoming (HRC Foundation), and affirming(NASP) schools for LGBTQIA+ students, but physical and psychological safetyrequires a more holistic approach. Welcoming, affirming, inclusive, proactive,equitable, and responsive (WAIPER) schools are needed across all grades topromote learning and mental wellness. ⁠EmpoweringSchool Psychologists to Deliver Therapeutic Supports for LGBTQ+ Youth ⁠

Some Publications⁠EmpiricallySupported Practices for LGBTQ+ Students: Implications for SchoolPsychologists ⁠Goingthe Distance: Perspectives and Practices of Physical Activity Staff inSupporting Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth⁠

⁠BestPractices in Inclusive School Environments and Tiered Supports for LGBTQIA+Youth⁠⁠MyChild Told Me They're Trans: What Do I Do?: A Q&A Guide for Parents ofTrans Children⁠

⁠IdentifiedProtective Factors to Support Psychological Well-Being Among Gender DiverseAutistic Youth

⁠QueerTheory and Intern Supervision: The Harm of Heteronormative Supervision⁠

⁠GrowingUp Trans: Professional Development⁠

In this episode, Kathleen and Benton talk to speech language pathologist, Caitlin Malli, about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). We discuss the importance of raising awareness about DLD so that students receive effective targeted support and communication challenges are not misunderstood as behaviors.  Definition, assessment and supports are discussed. 

Resources:

SHBC Language Disorders Designation Position Paper:Final-Language-Disorders-Designation-Position-Paper.pdf 

 Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder: RADLD - Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder - RADLD

Developmental language disorder: Its impact on literacy and beyond 

DLD Toolbox Western University: DLD Toolbox - Language and Working Memory Lab - Western University 

Saanich School District co-hosts a professional development conference with Victoria Speech and Language Centre through grant funding from SHBC. Our next conference topic is https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dynamic-assessment-from-a-diversity-and-anti-racist-lens-tickets-1887321763199

Child English Second Language (CHELS) Centre (which also includes links to questionnaires for Alberta Language Development Questionnaires): https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/chesl/home 

In this episode, Dr. Melanie Nelson returns to the BCASP podcast to speak with Kathleen and Benton about the intersections between First Nations and western cultures. Dr. Nelson shares about her experiences through her many roles, including as an inclusive education teacher, school psychologist, and now as an assistant professor and researcher at the UBC School and Applied Child Psychology program.

Resources:

Psychology’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report (2018): TRC Task Force Report_FINAL.pdf

Drs. Lisaingo (he/him) and Nelson (she/hers, Samahquam) are currently developing a course to fulfill the CHCPBC Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-Racism Standard of Practice. The goal of the course is to better support psychologists in their practice with Indigenous people and it will be publicly available Fall 2026. 

37th Annual BCASP Conference

The BC Association of School Psychologists has a fantastic line up of speakers and emphasizes that this information will speak to everyone in the education. Join us in Vancouver Nov. 12, 13 and 14⁠https://www.bcasp.ca/en/upcoming-events/detail/37th-annual-bcasp-conference/70923⁠

37th Annual BCASP Conference

The BC Association of School Psychologists has a fantastic line up of speakers and emphasizes that this information will speak to everyone in the education. Join us in Vancouver Nov. 12, 13 and 14⁠https://www.bcasp.ca/en/upcoming-events/detail/37th-annual-bcasp-conference/70923⁠

In this episode, Kathleen and Benton speak with Vanessa Worthington and Nicole Harris (POPFASD's Literacy team), and Myra-Jade Lui (POPARD Literacy coordinator). They discuss the literacy initiatives undertaken the Provincial Outreach Programs during the 2024-25 school. Ways to support learning for both typical and neurodivergent learners are discussed. As well, both POPFASD and POPARD have collected information from teachers and classrooms across B.C. about literacy practices and sharing this information in many formatsResources:

POPCON links

For the first time, B.C. Provincial Outreach Programs joined together to present workshops on literacy on the Provincial NID.Oct. 25, 2024. This is formation is available as a replay. ⁠https://www.popcon.ca/replay.html⁠

Given their success a second day is scheduled, Oct, 24 2025 ⁠https://popcon.ca/2025/⁠

CrossCurrents TIE-BC

Myra-Jade Lui and Doug Abbot are also presenting both in-person and virtually at the Cross Currents Conference, Oct 24th 2025. This aims to provide educators with an overview  of how literacy instruction can be achieved or supported with different AACs.  CrossCurrents TIE-BC⁠https://www.crosscurrentsconference.ca/in-person/workshops-in-person?track=in-person⁠

Ministry of Education and Childcare Screening

Ministry of Education and Childcare has released information regarding screening our students  for potential challenges which might impact literacy.

Early Literacy Screening FAQs⁠Https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/kindergarten-to-grade-12/support/diverse-student-needs/learning-supports/early-literacy-screening-faq.pdf⁠

Early Literacy Screening Tools Resource:⁠Https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/kindergarten-to-grade-12/support/diverse-student-needs/learning-supports/early-literacy-screening-tools-resource.pdf

Dyslexia Canada also provides information regarding universal screening: (Universal Screening — Dyslexia Canada⁠)

POPARD Literacy Lab! 

POPARD has some great resources at their literacy lab. They also created some wonderful videos of the hands-on work being done by B.C. educators across B.C. These are highlighted in Reading ReelsReading Reels - POPARD   https://autismoutreach.ca/category/literacy-lab

Self-Regulated Strategy Development

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) is an evidence-based framework that explicitly teaches the writing process, text structure, and the self-regulation and metacognitive skills students need to succeed as writers. SRSD Online provides training and resources for teachers using SRSD. 

What Is SRSD? A Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers

 37th Annual BCASP Conference

The BC Association of School Psychologists has a fantastic line up of speakers and emphasizes that this information will speak to everyone in the education. Join us in Vancouver Nov. 12, 13 and 14https://www.bcasp.ca/en/upcoming-events/detail/37th-annual-bcasp-conference/70923⁠

In this episode, Kathleen and Benton speak with Jessica Sprick about chronic absenteeism, factors that contribute to student and family challenges, and strategies to overcome these challenges. Jessica was the keynote speaker to the 2025 BCASP Spring Virtual Workshop.

Resources:

2025 BCASP Virtual Spring Workshop 
https://www.bcasp.ca/en/upcoming-events/detail/2025-bcasp-spring-virtual-workshop/64881

Safe and Civil Schools

https://www.safeandcivilschools.com/

School Leader's Guide to Tackling Attendance Challenges by Jessica Sprick and Randy Sprick https://ancorapublishing.com/product/school-leaders-guide-to-tackling-attendance-challenges/

The Tough Kid Tool Box by William Jenson et al. https://ancorapublishing.com/product/the-tough-kid-tool-box/

Attendance Works 

https://www.attendanceworks.org/

NASP Membershiphttps://www.nasponline.org/membership-and-community/member-benefits

Benton Dorman and Kathleen Cherry chat with BCASP president, Dr. Simon Lisaingo, about many topics relating to school psychology in B.C. Issues of advocacy, recruitment, retention, training and professional development are discussed.

In this episode, Kathleen and James chat with Kristin Wiens about the PATH process for supporting and empowering students.

Listener resources:

- For a visual introduction to PATH

https://www.fasdoutreach.ca/resources/

Questions/comments? Reach out to us on our socials @bcaspcertified on Instagram and X

In this episode, James and Kathleen welcome Melanie Baerg (returning) and Ana Vieira for another discussion on literacy. We dive deeper into screening, teacher training, intervention principles, and systemic challenges and changes (BC Ministry of Ed and Childcare).

Resources:

Dyslexia Canada Spotlight: Myths, Barriers and Successes https://youtu.be/Dj2R3JDsOHQ?si=-qbVwSmjg3yLrxQ5

MECC April 16, 2024 Announcement:

2024 Budget (p. 16)

Gov of BC Website Announcement

Check out the link to register and complete the intake survey! The sessions are online - 7 pm on Wednesdays, beginning May 22, 2024. Even if you can’t attend, you can still complete the survey. The recorded sessions will be posted on Dyslexia Canada’s website:

https://dyslexiacanada.org

In this episode, James and Kathleen chat with Lisa Kelly-Vance and Vern Davis regarding professional wellness and strategies for preventing burn-out.

Remember to connect with us on our socials:

X: @bcaspcertified

Facebook: BC Association of School Psychologists

In this episode, James and Kathleen talk with Dr. Juliana Negreiros about mental health and specifically, best practices for supporting students with anxiety.

For more resources recommended by Dr. Negreiros, please navigate to:

https://www.beaconpsychology.ca/anxiety