Laurie McCarthy is a respected autism consultant, educator, and professional speaker with over 25 years of experience supporting children and youth with autism and developmental needs. With a strong foundation in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and a passion for inclusive education, Laurie has dedicated her career to helping educators, families, and communities create supportive environments where all learners can thrive.

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Laurie is a certified teacher and has worked extensively in schools, clinical settings, and Indigenous communities across Canada including British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Her hands-on approach, combined with deep knowledge of evidence-based practices, makes her a trusted resource for developing meaningful strategies to reduce challenging behaviours and build communication, independence, and social-emotional skills.

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Laurie brings evidence-based strategies to the forefront of her work with children on the autism spectrum and those with complex learning and behavioural needs.

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As a dynamic speaker and workshop facilitator, Laurie is known for her practical, compassionate approach and her ability to translate research into real-world strategies. She has delivered autism education, behavioural strategies, and inclusive classroom training across numerous Ontario school boards and educational authorities, including:

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St. Clair Catholic District School Board, Lambton Kent District School Board, Avon Maitland District School Board, Bluewater District School Board, Grand Erie District School Board, Greater Essex County District School Board, Thames Valley District School Board, Toronto District School Board, Waterloo Region District School Board, London District Catholic School Board, Ottawa Catholic District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Providence, and The KidsAbility School Authority.

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Laurie has been a keynote speaker at the Geneva Centre for Autism for Positive Behaviour Supports and has travelled across the country to visit schools and deliver comprehensive training on ABA and Autism and how to teach students of all abilities.

Laurie received her early training in ABA and IBI with the Thames Valley Children’s Centre based in London, Ontario. To extend her reach, she also trained in Quebec to learn French, enabling her to provide consulting and support to French-language school boards across Ontario.

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Laurie has worked in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Education to implement PPM 140 and promote best practices for autism in schools across the province. She has also collaborated with the Martin Family Initiative (MFI) through the Martin Project, supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in advancing family, educational, and behavioural outcomes for Indigenous children and youth. 

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Laurie is passionate about empowering educators and caregivers to create supportive, structured, and engaging learning environments that promote growth, communication, and independence for all learners. Her work is rooted in respect, cultural responsiveness, and a deep commitment to the well-being and success of every child.