We can help you create an Epic Life
discover a life abundant in possibilities and accomplishments
Dr. Ward is a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA-D) who has been working with children and youth with ASD and their families for 30 years; in early diagnosis, Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) for young children, ABA for school-age children, parent- and teacher-training for behaviour change, and supporting youth and their parents in the transition to adulthood.
For the past 9 years, Dr. Ward has been Assistant Professor at Brock University in the Centre for Applied Disability Studies, teaching behaviour analysis to MA level students. She is now the Clinical Director of the Phoenix Centre for Learning, serving children and youth with ASD in Niagara Region.
Starting in 2013, Dr. Ward and her previous MA students created the Epic Win course, designed to assist youth and young adults with high functioning ASD to develop an “Epic Win Attitude” toward planning and fulfilling their dreams and goals for the future.
Dr. Ward got the term “Epic Win” from a TED Talk© by Jane McGonigal (2010), a gaming sociologist. McGonigal’s idea was that if young people brought their positive and resilient gaming attitude to real life, they could solve all the world’s problems.
In the Epic Win course, youth participants (with the help of facilitators, peers and parents) will develop skills to empower them in designing and creating the Epic Life they desire. Participants learn how to goal set, action plan, problem solve, build supports and attain their goals.
Dr. Ward brings her commitment to the use of evidence-based ABA practice to the development and delivery of all Phoenix Centre programs, including the My Life as an Epic Win Course. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires and interviews to help us evaluate the course’s effectiveness.
By the end of the course, it is expected that youth participants will be more able to actively listen, work collaboratively, set goals, create action plans, problem solve, and stay in action on their goals.
Dr. Rebecca A. Ward
The Epic Win Team
Dr. Rebecca A. Ward Ph.D. / C.Psych. / BCBA-D
Team: Allison - James - Owen
- Allison Drake – Parent group facilitator
- James Mattiazzo and Owen Hunter – Youth group co-facilitators