Thursday, March 26, 2026
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. (AST) / 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. (NST)
This webinar will explore how sexual health and safety education can be meaningfully embedded into everyday programming for neurodivergent learners. Throughout our session, we will emphasize the value of preventative teaching as well as highlight ways in which educators may already be supporting skill development in the areas of body autonomy, consent, boundaries and personal safety. Participants will leave with a clearer framework for recognizing these teachable moments and integrating intentional, developmentally appropriate sexual health instruction into existing supports..
Presented by: Olivia Ottenheimer-Byrne and Melissa Howell
Olivia Ottenheimer-Byrne is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) who completed her certification in 2021 after graduating from Pennsylvania State University’s Master of Special Education with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. She currently works as an Autism Itinerant with NL Schools, as well as working privately through her business Avalon Behavioural Consulting. More recently, she has returned to school to advance her studies through Yorkville University’s Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Olivia’s professional values center around the importance of connection and relationships. Learning with and from those she supports is her biggest motivator in providing ethical and evidence based interventions that are strength based, values driven, and implemented from a place of joy.
Melissa Howell is an Autism Itinerant with Newfoundland and Labrador Schools (NLSchools), where she provides consultative and direct support to autistic students, families, and school teams across the province. She applies evidence-based practices to support individualized programming, skill development, and inclusive, supportive learning environments. Melissa has recently been accepted into Memorial University to begin her Masters of Counselling Psychology. Her future plans involve opening a private practice and offering adolescent counselling, psychotherapy, and behavioral work.