About Us
I am the founder of Where Waters Meet, a business born out of both passion and lived experience of around 16 years. Through my experiences, I have come to understand firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with raising a child with autism
I moved my family to Kamloops, BC, from Golden, BC, to pursue formal education in Disability Studies. The community has been a pillar of support, and in return, I am committed to offering my services to help other families navigate their unique journeys with the same care, kindness, compassion, and understanding that we received along the way.
Throughout our highs and lows, we've learned how important it is to have a strong support system, and that’s why I’m so passionate about offering services to families facing similar challenges. I truly believe in the power of community and connection, and I want to help guide and support you as you navigate your journey, your family’s journey.
I would be honored to join your family’s journey and offer support in any way that I can. My goal is to make your experience a little easier, a little brighter, and to provide the tools and compassion needed for both the good times and the hard ones. Let me stand alongside you and share in the support, as we grow together.
~ Deborah Brennan
Autism and Special Needs Consultant
Why choose Where Waters Meet? What do I offer?
A Relationship-First Approach
At the heart of Where Waters Meet is connection. I believe that when we build rapport, respect individual strengths, and include the whole family, we create lasting and positive change.
Whether you’re looking for support with emotional regulation, communication, social skills and play skills, or daily routines and lifeskills — I’m here to help, in the space where your child feels safest.
If you’re in Kamloops or the surrounding area and looking for guidance, connection, and practical support, I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s meet where you are — and grow from there.
Some lessons are best taught in the natural world – real-life settings. I will take your child out into the community to enhance any therapeutic benefit.
I am flexible to what is best for the individual I serve.
Find the Right Therapuetic Solutions for your neurodiverse child.
Therapeutic strategies are effective and have proven to support autism and other neurodiverse challenges. I am skilled and educated in Applied Behaviour Analysis. I do believe in ABA Principals and do use ABA when it is the best strategy for the therapeutic outcome. I do what is best for the neurodiverse individual to learn. I have used other therapeutic strategies that meet the needs of the child and the values of the family.
My Approach to Supporting Your Family
Initial Meeting & Intake
I begin by meeting with your family to build a relationship and learn about your needs. During this time, we complete an intake form to better understand your concerns, goals, and values. We discuss the types of services that are best suited to work towards the goals and the budget.
Services Offered
The Support Plan
Using the information gathered from the intake, I create a support plan that aligns with your family’s priorities and supports your child’s development.
There are support plans for every journey.
The starter plan ranges in simplicity from your child working 1:1 with the Consultant through sessions. There are scheduled updates for the parents quarterly.
A more complex plan is available to work with educational professionals (such as attending IEP's) and other professionals on your child's team. This plan can include the Consultant providing resources for the parents to work on with their child. This plan can include long-term goal setting with the family. The Consultant and parents meets quarterly they request more frequent meetings.
A comprehensive plans involves the Consultant working with your childs other service providers. The family goal setting is in place and concurrently family are receiving home support from the Consultant. The Consultant will work with the family weekly in the home.
Budget and Moving Forward
During the intake, we confirm what your Autism budget is. This determines the level of the support plan, 1:1 service frequency, collaboration, parent support or a combination. Collaborating with other team members will impact the budget. By having this conversation early, we are clear on expectations and can best serve your child and family.
If you have any questions on autism funding or services, I am here to support you.
Social Skills and Play Skills
Social Skills and Play Skills are both vital for a child's overall development, and they continue to be important through life.
Communication
Communication Skill are essential for success in nearly every area of life. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a learned skill for many neurodiverse individuals.
Fine Motor Skills/Gross Motor Skills
Both Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skills are crucial for a child's physical development and independence.
Emotions/Behaviours
Big emotions and feelings can lead to some challenging behaviours. Understanding one's emotions and appropriate responses with self-regulation is a crucial skill in many environmental settings.
Lifeskills
This encompasses a wide range of daily activities that are necessary for health, awareness, and promoting independence. This is the lead to living a fullfilling and meaninful life.
Services
I meet with your family to start a relationship, while completing an intake form to understand concerns, goals, and values.
I then write a plan tailored to your family based from the intake.
I offer direct services with your child in a 1:1 setting through lessons in your home.
I offer services to work with the parents and family members for them to use strategies in a home setting.
I offer services to work with other team members to coordinate strategies and goals.
Social Skills and Play Skills
Social Skills and Play Skills are both vital for a child's overall development, and they continue to be important through life.
Communication
Communication Skill are essential for success in nearly every area of life. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a learned skill for many neurodiverse individuals.
Fine Motor Skills/Gross Motor Skills
Both Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skills are crucial for a child's physical development and independence.
Emotions/Behaviours
Big emotions and feelings can lead to some challenging behaviours. Understanding one's emotions and appropriate responses with self-regulation is a crucial skill in many environmental settings.
Lifeskills
This encompasses a wide range of daily activities that are necessary for health, awareness, and promoting independence. This is the lead to living a fullfilling and meaninful life.
What Are Our Families Saying ?
Feedback from our delighted families.
Thank you for supporting J. and everything you do for us.
Jennifer and Jordyn
Debbie was a great BI for our son. She was very patient with him and adapted to his needs and responses. The combination of her skillset and approach was a solid match for our family.
J&A
Thank you for supporting Daron during his therapy sessions with you. Daron always enjoyed the sessions. Daron noticed improvement in his daily routines as well.
Chido & Rejoice
FAQS
What ages do you work with?
My main client ages are between 6-18 year olds. I am willing to work with adults.
What is your experience and qualifications?
I started family life with a non-verbal autistic challenging boy who is now in high-school sucessfully. I graduated from Douglas College with a Certifiate in Behaviour Intervention and a Certificate in Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis. I am currently enrolled at Thompson River University in an Open Learning program to purse further education interests.
How do you accept payment?
I bill through the Autism Funding Unit using the family's autism funding. A family signs the Request To Pay (RTP) form listing me as a service provider as a behaviour consultant.
I do accept private pay for those who do not have autism funding.
