Niverville is home to a new group of professionals. S.M.A.R.T. Learning and Behaviour Network will be opening its doors at 295 Main Street, providing analysis, training, and tools to parents, teachers, daycare workers, and childcare professionals. The business name represents the many areas they address regarding childhood development: skills, motivation, academics, relationships, and training.
The ownership trio bring with them years of education and experience, equipping them with knowledge and background well-suited to enhancing childhood development. They met as employees of the St. Amant Centre, a not-for-profit organization focusing on developmental disabilities and autism. Aware of the long waitlists faced by children in need, the three decided to venture out on their own.
Leigh-Ann Jones and Corrie Neil have Master’s degrees in behaviour analysis and are certified in the Positive Parenting Program, a provincial government initiative. Leigh-Ann also specializes in psychology and special education, having worked in the field for over twenty years. Marissa Levesque has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and has completed graduate coursework in behaviour analysis.
“The field of behaviour analysis is built on scientific principles which describe behaviour, why we do what we do,” says Neil.
Behavioural issues include autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities, struggles with learning, and anxiety. S.M.A.R.T. believes in taking a holistic approach to childhood behaviours. They look at barriers that block a child’s abilities, the motivations a child may need, and environmental issues.
S.M.A.R.T.’s new location has a private entrance and will be equipped with consultation and treatment rooms. Their expertise will also reach beyond the office into homes, classrooms, and daycares, if needed, to observe a child within their different environments, where a more direct analysis can occur. They will have trained therapists on staff to work one-on-one with parents and children.
“You need to know how that child learns and, in a classroom of 30 kids, the teacher doesn’t always have that luxury,” says Jones. “We can help with that.”
Once the child’s concern is identified, they can provide tools to teachers and parents, equipping them to understand learning or behavioural issues and how to better work with the child.
S.M.A.R.T. will also host workshops, the first of which will be dedicated to daycare workers on positive behaviour management.
“Generally, people don’t come to us broken. They come to us missing some tools from their toolbox,” says Jones. “This is your child. Your child is whole. Let’s help this child be the best that they can be.”
