Providing family focused support for all abilities

We provide neuro-affirming, Autistic-informed, attachment and play based supports for preschool and school aged.
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“All behaviour is a form of communication”

What We Do

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Our Mission

At Windy Ridge Autism Services, we provide compassionate, developmentally appropriate support for autistic children and their families. Rooted in a neuro-affirming approach, our work is guided by the voices and lived experiences of actually autistic adults, who have helped shape our understanding of what respectful, supportive care truly looks like.

We recognize that autism is a neurological difference, not a disorder to be fixed. Our goal is not to change who a child is, but to honour their identity, celebrate their strengths, and support them in areas where they face challenges—always in a way that feels safe, respectful, and meaningful to them.

Our practice is deeply trauma-informed. We understand that many autistic individuals—especially those with unmet sensory needs, communication differences, or demand-avoidant profiles—can experience everyday environments as overwhelming or unsafe. We work to build relationships based on trust, consent, and co-regulation, and we prioritize emotional and nervous system safety at every stage of support.

Our Vision

We use a developmentally appropriate lens, meeting each child where they are—never where others expect them to be. We support play, regulation, social-emotional growth, executive functioning, and daily living skills through natural routines and strengths-based strategies. Our work is embedded in everyday environments such as the home, preschool, school, and community.

At Windy Ridge, families are active partners in care. We value the insights parents bring, and we aim to walk alongside families—not ahead or behind—through each stage of development and discovery.

Our Commitment

We believe that behaviour is communication, and we strive to understand the “why” behind a child’s actions rather than focusing on compliance. Our team works collaboratively with families, educators, and other professionals to design support plans that respect autonomy and reduce stress, rather than increase pressure.

‍Communication is at the heart of connection. We support and celebrate multi-modal communication, including speech, sign,  AAC, gestures,  scripts,  visuals, movement,  and sounds. Every child communicates in their own way, and all forms of communication are valid and worthy of being understood and responded to.

We adhere to the guidelines provided by the Autism Funding Unit, through the Ministry of Children and Families, including having a RASP Certified professional supervising our Interventionists.  
We are also a member of the Safe Space Alliance. The Safe Space Alliance is a LGBTQI+ led nonprofit organisation that helps people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide.

“Children are not meant to work for love. They are meant to rest in someone’s care so that they can play and grow; this is why relationships matter.”

― Deborah MacNamara | "Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers"

How We Help

One-to-One Intervention

One to one intervention with a Windy Ridge interventionsist
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Neuroaffiming one-to-one supports

1-2 hour sessions for preschoolers 2-4 times per week with interventionist.

Consultant, Susanna Passey, SLP, to provide assessment, goal planning, supervision and communication.
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One-to-one supports will be with the child and based on the SCERTS model of support and include:
  • Daily living skills
  • Joint attention
  • Communication (speech, language, AAC, social language)
  • Sensory and emotional regulation
  • OT/PT follow through
  • Transition support
  • Multi-modal communication supports
  • Executive functioning
  • Social problem solving
  • Early literacy skills
Please contact Susanna Passey for an initial parent interview (to ensure that Windy Ridge is a good fit for you). 

Email: Susanna.windyridge@gmail.com
‍Phone: 250-919-0809

Add name to a waitlist. 
Limited supports available.
Must have Autism Funding, monies through Jordan's Principle, or private funding to receive supports

Consultative Supports for Families

Provided by Susanna Passey
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Parent coaching

Supporting parents at home with daily living skills for preschool and school ages children (behaviours, transitions, toileting, eating, independence, etc)

Supporting parent groups as needed and/or requested.

Assessment and observation of preschool or school aged child

Provide assessment, observation, recommendations and a report, as requested.

Paperwork by RASP certified SLP

Support all Autism funding paperwork including the Justification For Equipment (JFE) and Request To Pay (RTP) forms as needed.  There is a minimal charge for completing paperwork.

Support paperwork for funding through Jordan's Principle,  the At Home Program, the Disability Tax Credit, and other paperwork.

Referrals

Following an observation and discussion, create a referral letter to Family Physician, Pediatrician, ENT, Audiologist, SLP, school team and community programs to support assessments, diagnoses and other concerns.

Loan of materials to trial

Borrow books, equipment, visual supports, regulation supports, and more upon request.
Check out our resources recommendations

Other Services

Provided by Susanna Passey
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Community team supports

Supporting home school programs, preschool or daycare teams with neuro-affirming autism strategies.

Attending team meetings, upon request.

Supporting the understanding of neuro-affirming practices for professional or parent development, as requested.

Creating materials and supports for pre-teaching before a 'melt-down' happens

Support your learning through our resources:  Daniel Siegel, Mona Delahooke, Autism Level UP!, Kelly Mahler, Stuart Shanker, Gordon Neufeld, Hanen, Sarah Ward, the PDA society, etc

School team supports

Supporting public, private school, and home school teams with neuro-affirming strategies.

Supporting professional development opportunities, upon request.

Attending team meetings, upon request.

Assessment and observation of child

Provide assessment, observation and reports (with recommendations) as requested.

“If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”

― Dr. Stephen Shore

Our Process

01.

Initial Parent Meeting

Please request a free 30 minutes video consultation to see if Windy Ridge is a good fit for you and your child.
02.

Initial Paperwork

The windy ridge team will support you in completing paper work necessary for the autism funding unit (RTP), Jordan's Principle, and paperwork for windy ridge to engage with you and your child in a professional and confidential manner
03.

In Person Assessment

Susanna will observe your child in various settings to determine likes, dislikes, goals and a supportive plan.
04.

Determine Support Style

Choose either one-to-one supports with interventionist, if available, or consultative (parent coaching) supports with SLP or other consultant, if available.
05.

Support Your Child

Receive consistent emailed summaries from SLP to family and-or team to support team building and give ideas on how to support your child at home. Supporting strategies in multiple environments will create success and empowerment for your child.

"When their storm meets our calm, co-regulation occurs"

― Kristin Wiens

Why Windy Ridge

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The Windy Ridge Way

A neuro-affirming model of support recognizes that autism is a natural variation of human neurology. It focuses on understanding and honoring the child’s unique communication style, sensory needs, and ways of engaging with the world. The goal is not to "fix" or change the child, but to reduce stress, build safety and trust, support regulation, and increase meaningful connection. Neuro-affirming approaches prioritize consent, autonomy, and emotional well-being. Strategies are often child-led, relationship-based, and adapted to the child’s developmental level and nervous system.

In contrast, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and other behavioural approaches are based on modifying observable behaviour through reinforcement, prompting, and repetition. These models often focus on increasing “desirable” behaviours and reducing “challenging” ones, sometimes without fully considering the child’s internal experience, sensory needs, or communication differences. While ABA has evolved over time, critics—especially many actually autistic adults—have raised concerns about long-term stress, loss of autonomy, and the masking of authentic behaviours.

Why The Neuro-Affriming Model

In short, a neuro-affirming model sees the child as already whole and worthy, and aims to adapt the environment to support their development, while behavioural approaches tend to focus more on changing the child’s behaviour to fit expected norms.

Windy Ridge Autism Services is here for you and your family

“We don’t treat Autism, we support autistic needs”

Meet our team

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Susanna Passey

Susanna is passionate about the unique gifts that neurodivergent children  bring to the community and has embraced a neurodivergent affirming, attachment based and trauma informed philosophy.  Supporting the whole child and family in quality of life goals leads naturally into supporting school, preschool and daycare teams.

Why do I want to be an support person?  Why is Windy Ridge my passion?

I have worked as a speech therapist for ~30 years within a system that is often based in   neurotypical development and the medical model.  I believe in understanding how brain differences, sensory differences and trauma can affect communication and social interactions.  I believe in a growth mindset, seeing the beauty in different ways of thinking, real inclusion and supporting children as they are.  I believe in un-learning old ways and learning from neurodivergent, trauma informed and attachment based people and models.   I believe in sensory friendly environments and supports.  I believe in understanding the WHY's behind behaviours.  I believe in learning from autistic and other neurodivergent adults to create a welcoming and safe space for my team and the families we work with.

​I have two grown children and have witnessed bullying, exclusion and worked on problem solving with my girls and their peeps. LGBTQI+, Indigenous, and other neurodiverse issues have been a big part of our learning.

Susanna graduated with a Master’s in Science from UBC in 1995 and has worked in both private and public practice since becoming a speech therapist.  This work has included being part of  multidisciplinary teams at School District #5 (Southeast Kootenays) for school aged children, Interior Health for the preschool population and as a private practitioner for families.  Susanna hopes that Windy Ridge can offer choice for neurodivergent people in our community.​

Please inform me of ableist and triggering language in this website and in my practice.  I understand that I can only present my business and myself from my own perspective.  I am trying hard to learn more about being an ally and welcome questions, comments and concerns.
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Susanna Passey
Owner | Consultant | Parent Coach
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Maddison Sharpe

Madison has been with Windy Ridge since July 2018. She moved to Kimberley in June 2018, and has loved every bit of living in the Kootenays with her family.

Madison received her diploma as an Occupational and Physical Therapy Assistant from Grant McEwan University in 2013, and went on to receive her degree in Community Rehab & Disability Studies from the University of Calgary in 2017. Her experience in cognitive, physical, and occupational therapy has transfered into her work with a wide variety of individual's with varied abilities. Her passion has always been working with children. Professionally, Madison has been working withautistic children since 2013.

Personally, Madison credits her love for working with autistic children to her younger brother Nash; who was diagnosed with autism when he 6. Madison enjoys working with the Windy Ridge program and bringing a personalized and play based approach to each and every session with our kids.

Madison's loving and caring demeanor is such a gift for our Windy Ridge Team and is an asset for our children and families!
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Madison Litman
Windy Ridge Support Worker
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Dunja Bond

Dunja moved to the Kootenays in 2018 and absolutely loves living in the mountains. She enjoys the outdoors through walking, kayaking and downhill skiing.

Dunja has a degree in social work, obtained in the Netherlands where she was born. During her education she gained an interest in working with autistic children. She now has 15+ years of experience in a variety of capacities, settings and countries. On a personal level, she has the experience of raising her three autistic sons and is neurodiverse herself.

Dunja has a love for learning and has continued to learn more and more about autism and neurodiversity. She is enthusiastic about the way Windy Ridge is serious about offering a neurodivergent affirming approach and is happy to be part of the team.
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Dunja Bond
Windy Ridge Parent Coach and Book Keeper
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Kind Words By Kind People

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The Staff Are So Loving
“I have recommended time and time again, the staff are so loving and amazing and my child would not be where they are today without them!”
The Staff Listen
“They listen and help the children in a different way.  Staff feels like family, and also I have learned a lot in supporting my own children.  The Windy Ridge staff have made my child feel special and loved while providing developmental support in a fun way!”
Extended Family
“Windy Ridge is like an extended family and provides exceptional support.  The difference in my 4 year old in just a short while has been such a positive wonderful experience. He looks forward every day for his visits!”
From A Happy Mom
"Windy Ridge embraced my child for who she was and provided exceptional, loving support. My family highly recommends Windy Ridge!"
Above and Beyond
"Susy and staff go above and beyond to make you feel heard and to form a connection with each child. My son has benefited so much from Windy Ridge. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!"
Patient, Kind and Genuine
“I have recommended Windy Ridge to friends and said that my son actually enjoyed going, that I could see support strategies making a difference for him and that the people there are patient, kind, genuine, and so fun.”

"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said."

― Peter Drucker

Resources for children and families

Resources are endless. Windy Ridge follows a neuroaffirming approach to Autism supports.  We support neurodiversity and listen to voices of Autistic adults and children to learn for ourselves and lead our way.  Many of these resources reflect this approach. If you are in need of other resources please reach out to us.
Community & Online Partners

#actuallyautistic and neurodivergent voices - Online Partners For Collaboration:‍

  • ASAN - Autistic Self Advocacy Network
  • Terra Vance - Neuroclastic
  • Amy Laurent and Jacqueline Fede - Autism Level Up 
  • Oswin Latimer - FDM (Foundations for Divergent Minds)
  • Meghan Ashburn - https://notanautismmom.com/
  • Autistic women and nonbinary network - https://awnnetwork.org
  • NeuroWild - Facebook page (Emily Hammond - NeuroWild Teaching Resources | Teachers Pay Teachers)
  • Kristy Forbes - Autism & Neurodiversity Support Specialist
  • Jules Edwards - Autistic Typing
  • Alex Kimmel - The Self Determinator - Home (alexkimmel.com)
  • Jenny Hunt - Autistic Sighentist
  • Tiffany Joseph - Nigh Functioning Autism
  • and more


TREKK - Therapeutic Rehabilitation for East Kootenay Kids
Occupational Therapy & Physio Therapy Interior Health Authority
Cranbrook Health Unit: 250-420-2200​​

CYMH - Child and Youth Mental Health  
Intake support: 250-426-1514​​

SCD - Supported Child Development
EK Supported Child Development Program
www.ccscranbrook.ca

FSI - Family Support Institute  
Strengthening and Connecting Families
www.familysupportbc.com

Community Connections of SouthEast BC
www.ccscranbrook.ca

Local Regulation, Sensory Assessments, and Mindfulness Support
Private OT, counselling and SLP supports:  please ask for contact information

Books For Children

A Day with No words - Tiffany Hammond (apraxia, BIPOC characters, compassion, AAC)​

Alphabreaths - The ABCs of mindful breathing - by Daniel Rechtschaffen · Christopher Willard (co-regulation)​

The Kissing Hand - by Audrey Penn and Ruth Harper (separation, relationship, attachment)​

The Autistic Boy in the Unruly Body - Gregory Tino (apraxia, autistic pride, self acceptance)​

Spencer's Special Interests - Amanda Paige (anxiety, special interests, BIPOC characters)​

Don't hug Doug - Carrie Finison​

Questions and Answers about Growing up - by Katie Daynes​

The Brain Forest - Sandhya Menon (neurodiverse brains, brain differences)​

Trudy's Healing Stone - by Trudy Spiller (attachment, relationship)

​The Boy Who Couldn't Speak, Yet - by Jordan Christian LeVan​

Me and my PDA - Gloria Dura-Vila​

Books For Caregivers

Parenting from the Inside Out - Daniel J. Siegel​

The Autistic Mind Finally Speaks - Gregory C. Tino

​Uncommon Sense: An Autistic Journey- Adam Mardero​

I Will Die on This Hill  - Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards​

Beyond Behaviours - Mona Delahooke, PHD (not autism specific)​

Autistically Thriving - Judy Endow​

Declarative Language Handbook - Linda K. Murphy, CCC-SLP (not autism specific)​

Sincerely Your Autistic Child - AWN​

Rest Play Grow - Deborah MacNamara (not autism specific)​

Uniquely Human - Barry Prizant​

We're not Broken - Eric Garcia

​Lost at School - Ross W. Greene PhD (not autism specific)​

The Highly Sensitive Child - Elaine N. Aron PhD (not autism specific)​

One Without The Other - Shelley Moore (not autism specific)​

Autistics on Autism - Kerry Magro​

All the Feelz - Autism Level up (Amy Laurent and Jacquelyn Fede)​

Unmasking Autism - Devon Price, PhD​

Lives in the Balance website - Dr. Ross Greene​

Local Kootenay Resources

Huckleberry Books
Books, books, and more books​​
16 - 9th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC V1C 2L8
www.huckleberrybooks.ca

‍Cranbrook's Education Station
Educational resources, sensory tools, and books
18-13th Avenue South Cranbrook BC V1C 2V3
cranbrookstation@gmail.com

Bumble Tree
Games, sensory tools & toys
33-10th Avenue SouthCranbrook, BC V1C 2M9
www.bumbletree.ca

“Children are not meant to work for love. They are meant to rest in someone’s care so that they can play and grow; this is why relationships matter.

― Deborah MacNamara

Let's have a chat

Mail us

susanna.windyridge@gmail.com

Call us

+1 (250) 919-0809

Located In

Cranbrook, BC
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Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are guests on the unceded traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation including the communities of ʔaq̓am and Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡiʾit.
As a settler organization, we are working respectfully to hold and nurture relationships with Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit people).
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