Who is Behind Hand-in-Hand?

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Who is Behind Hand-in-Hand? *

Hello! My name is Sasha Rizo and I am the Founder of Hand-in-Hand Neurodiverse Care. Hand-in-Hand is a labour of love, and over 15 years of experience in early learning, autism/disability studies and education.

Many years ago, I received my Bachelor of Early Childhood Development, specializing in working with children with disabilities from Toronto Metropolitan University. After that, I worked in specialized classrooms, childcare centers, and at Ronald McDonald House. Life led me to Regina, SK and I had many opportunities to work alongside many extremely knowledgeable professionals in childcare centers as an early childhood consultant and as a early childhood educator (level 3). I am extremely passionate about early learning and was honored to teach the early childhood education (level 1) program at a local college for the past few years.

During this time, I learned about navigating the system personally with my own family. After listening to so many families and professionals in our community share their stories, I decided it was time to take the next step. I completed my Neurodiversity Coaching Certificate. I registered for the JASPER Autism training at UCLA, and started some entrepreneurship training. I have many certificates that I am proud to hold, including Trauma-Informed Care, and Mental Health & Wellness. And the rest, they say, is HER-story.

Hand-in-Hand has been intentionally created by me, for you!

I hope to help strengthen our community, help parents feel less alone, and help children who may be neurodivergent feel like they belong.

A young woman with wavy brown hair, glasses, and a white shirt sitting on grass in a park with yellow flowers, playing with toys and a dollhouse.
A young woman with wavy brown hair, glasses, and a white shirt sitting on grass in a park with yellow flowers, playing with toys and a dollhouse.

I believe in the power of PLAY and having fun! No matter what our goals will be or what we are learning, we will find ways to have fun along the way.

A young woman with glasses and a choker smiling while sitting on a swing at a park with green trees and blooming yellow flowers in the background.

Early Childhood Education

I believe that we all belong and are all worthy of love no matter what! I strive to create safe spaces for folks to freely be themselves and to feel seen and heard.

Woman sitting on the grass outdoors reading a children's book with colorful illustrations, a plush turtle toy, and craft supplies nearby.

Neurodiverse-Affirming

A young woman with glasses and short hair blowing bubbles outdoors with a green blurred background.

I believe in the importance of treating everyone with respect, grace, and understanding. I believe in the importance of safety, trustworthiness, transparency, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, freedom of choice, and amplifying the voices of those with lived experiences.

Trauma-Informed

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