Hello, I’m Suzanne.

I am a parent of two PDAers and I know some of the extremities that PDA parents can face because I have faced them, too. But, just because this parenting experience is often messy and extremely intense, I do not believe that our kids are the issue. Our neurology is not the problem. The issues felt within the family unit are due to an extreme lack of support, external issues and pressures of being expected (and often that expectation is on a deep, subconscious level), to show up and adhere to societal and neuro-typical norms.

I am not aware that there is a specific qualification that would capture all the information and knowledge that would qualify someone to take on this role of supporting non-medical sleep issues for our highly complex kids and so, as you can see below, I have gained my certifications and training through a wide variety of means from sleep neurobiology and behaviour science, child developmental psychology, PDA advocates and educators, Polyvagal Theory (The Science of Safety), autism-specific training, movement therapy, sensory and reflex integration. This is a field that is growing in it’s understanding and unlearning of old and inaccurate information. I believe that the role I am filling is new to the autistic community.


I am a proud autistic and ADHD advocate, I am trauma-informed and neuro-affirming.

I am a certified Infant and Family Sleep Specialist, trained postpartum doula, respectful parenting and neurodivergent advocate along with a homeschooling, unschooling mom to two young sons with a PDA profile of autism and ADHD.   My kids are just like me: passionate about fairness and justice, nurturing to others, we enjoy novelty and impulsivity and thrive with rhythms and predictable flows. We can’t, and don’t even want to do routines - they are too imposing on our desire to be free. We also have a deep desire and need for connection - just like the vast, vast majority of all humans.

Most strategies and support methods that I found in the field of sleep support for this particular area of neurodivergence were missing the mark for the root causes and misinterpreting failures in the strategies with failures in parenting.

Speaker Appointments

  • Low Demand Parenting Summit, 2023

  • Little Zzzs Infant Sleep Summit, 2023

Published Articles

Training and Certifications

Completed Certification and Training:

  • “Foundations of Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy”, 2024

  • Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory with Stephen Porges, PhD: Trauma, Attachment, Self­Regulation & Emotions, PESI, 2024

  • The Neuroscience of Safety: The Transformative Impact of the Polyvagal Theory on Supporting Children on the Autism Spectrum, PESI, 2024

  • Kristy Forbes InTune Pathways with PDA, 2023

  • Introduction to Rhythmic Movements, Nurtured Young 2023

  • Certified Infant and Family Sleep Specialist, Dr Greer Kirshenbaum and Bebo Mia, 2021

  • CPR-C with Canadian Red Cross through Safe Beginnings 2021

  • Obstetric Violence 101 hosted by the Obstretric Justice Project

  • Trained Postpartum Doula with Doula Canada 2020

  • International Criminal Records check 2019

  • Positive Connections Parenting course with REACH 2019

  • BSc. International Relations 2006

Current training

  • University of Michigan, Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine and Society

  • PESI Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory in Trauma Treatment with Stephen Porges & Deb Dana: Integrating the Science of Safety, Trust, Self-Regulation and Attachment

  • PESI Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Intensive Training (ASDCS) - 2nd Edition: Affirming Neurodiversity with Strengths- and Abilities-Based Interventions

  • Kelly Mahler, Best Practices for Implementing Interoception-Based Supports

  • Harkla, Primitive Reflexes - Master Level

Masterclasses and webinars attended:

Dr Naomi Fisher courses and webinars:

  • Demand Avoidance 101

  • Helping Autistic Children With School

  • Helping Your Autistic Child Develop a Healthy Relationship with Screens


Mona Delahooke, PhD masterclasses and webinars:

  • Highly Sensitive & Anxious Children

  • The Paradigm Shift in Parenting

  • The Pathway to Resilience

  • When You Feel Alone as a Parent

The Raising Humans Collective by Ashleigh Warner, Holistic Family Psychologist.

  • Webinars attended: Fundamentals (of child developmental needs),

  • Workshops: Beneath The Aggression, Beneath The Fear, Supporting Your Highly Sensitive Child

  • Masterclasses: Sleep, Daycare, school and attachment, Anger in Adults,

Dr Gordon Neufeld, Getting Bedtime Right

Harkla, (Occupational Therapy): Sensory Diet webinar

PESI, Techniques for After an Autism Meltdown: Supporting Prevention of Future Eruptions