Our board of directors consists of a variety of professionals who are parents of children with autism, and we are also forming an Advisory Panel of community members and Autism Service Providers that we will work with. We strongly believe in “Parents Helping Parents”, we highly value our grassroots beginning will continue to operate with no financial gain.

View our Constitution and Bylaws here.

Dione Costanzo – President

Dione Costanzo is a mother of two teenage boys and was instrumental in founding the Autism Support Network and is currently the president of the organization. Her youngest son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. She is most passionate about ensuring every family and individual has access to science-based autism treatment. Dione has a wealth of experience in advocating for autism treatment and services in BC and is continually supporting other families. Dione is a freelance Social Media Director and independent business woman. Email Dione

 

Nancy Walton – Treasurer

Nancy Walton, a mother of two, has been involved in meetings with MLA’s, MP’s and School administrators regarding ABA services for all children with ASD, since her son was diagnosed in 2000. She facilitated meetings for parents for 7 years first through the Autism Society of BC and later through the Autism Support Network Society, an organization which she founded in 2007. She was also one of the founders of the ABA Advisory in the Surrey School District and was instrumental in the development of the ABA Support Worker program in the district. Nancy is a secondary mathematics teacher.  Email Nancy

 

Barbara McLeod, BEd., MEd. – Director

Barbara is a retired member of the Faculty of Education at Vancouver Island University. She is a Director for the Qualicum Beach Honours Society and an Executive member of Special Olympics Oceanside. Barbara is the mother of two sons; the youngest, now 23 years old, is on the Autism Spectrum. She and her family have been advocating for autism services for the past 20 years. She is proud to have been involved in the original Auton Case which resulted in autism funding for children under six, and, in appeal, for children over 6, as well as the Hewko Case establishing the right to appropriate access to support in educational services. She is a former Director of FEAT of BC, the Autism Education Society, and, now, the Autism Support Network. She and her husband have planned and implemented a plan for their son’s successful transition to adult life and supported living in his own home. Barbara is passionate about the power of Applied Behaviour Analysis in teaching and learning and the successful inclusion of individuals with special needs in classroom and community settings. Email Barbara

Louise Witt – Secretary

Louise is a registered social worker and parent of two teenage children. Since her son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2, she has been actively involved in the autism community and was a founding member of the Autism Support Network. Within the ASN, Louise does a great deal of volunteer outreach work with parents in crisis. Louise was also a member of the Pacific Autism Family Network steering committee. Email Louise

Michelle Auton – Director

Michelle is a mother of 3, and has been involved in the ABA community for the past 19 years. She and her husband, on behalf of their son, are proud and grateful to have been one of 30 families involved in the Auton case, which resulted in funding for children with autism. Michelle works as a Behaviour Interventionist. More recently she has concentrated on advocating for ABA services for adults. Email Michelle

 

Franca Pastro – Director

Franca Pastro, is the mother of two children, including an adult daughter with autism and intellectual disability.  For the past 20 years she has been an active member of multiple organizations that support the dissemination of science-based treatments for autism, and she was involved in the Auton 2000 case. She is a Board Member of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT). Her commitment lies in supporting parents of children with autism to become savvy consumers, showcasing the long-term benefits of evidence-based treatment in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and sharing accurate information of autism and its treatment with the community at large. Email Franca

Jason Philipchuk – Director

Jason is a manager in the software industry.  When not leading his team at work he and his wife spend their time chasing after their three boys.  Their oldest son has autism and is currently in elementary school.  Jason’s older brother is also on the spectrum so Jason has seen first-hand throughout his entire life the importance of advocacy within the autism community and hopes to contribute to that effort through his Board position. Email Jason