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