Meet Our Team
Sharon McCarry
Executive Director and Coco’s Mom
Sharon McCarry is a passionate community advocate for families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neuro-developmental disabilities. She is committed to making meaningful and significant change in policies and services to benefit families in disability communities.
In 2008, she founded La Fondation Place Coco, a Canadian charity that manages and operates the Little Red Playhouse (LRP). LRP is an integrated preschool, where neuro-diverse and neuro-typical young children learn side-by-side in a supportive educational setting.
McCarry is also an active volunteer. She is a member of the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Advisory Committee on the Disability Tax Credit, which advises the Minister of National Revenue and the CRA on how the Agency can improve the way it administers and interprets tax measures for Canadians with disabilities. She is also a member of the Steering Committee for CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal contributing to their Strategic plan. She has been a proud member of the Advisory Committee for the Strongest Families Neurodevelopment Program with the Child Bright Pan Canadian Research network: Parents Empowering Neurodiverse Kids, which provides evidence-based parent coaching interventions for the last 3 years. Most recently, she was named the Director of Citizen Engagement for the Child Bright Network, a part of the Strategic Patient Oriented Research group, and sits on their Executive Committee and National Steering Committee funded by CIHR and 25 other funding partners.​
An accomplished business professional, McCarry has also worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies in marketing strategy and brand management. McCarry holds a BA from McGill University and lives in Montreal, Quebec, where she is a mother to two sons, one with autism.
Program Lead and Educator
Alison Bissonnette has over ten years of experience working with children between the ages of two and twelve in a variety of educational and recreational settings. When she came to the Little Red Playhouse for an internship position, she was happy to discover a unique organization that allowed her to blend her Bachelor’s degree in Kindergarten/Elementary Education from McGill University and her graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science from Algonquin College in new and exciting ways. She has remained as part of this amazing team for over 8 years taking on a variety of positions including educator, ABA therapist, staff manager and program lead. She loves being able to explore innovative and diverse teaching methods to help each one of her students achieve their highest potential. Alison is the Program Lead for our ABA programming. She is the one to speak to regarding teaching methods and behaviour or therapy programs.
Alison Bissonnette
Coordinator
Morgan has a great deal of experience working with children and their families of all ages in this community and in greater Montreal. Having worked in day camps, schools and community centers, she has a wide range of skills. and has played her role as an Educator, Instructor Therapist, Social Skills Facilitator and more throughout her time at LRP. Morgan is excited about the great sense of community at the Little Red Playhouse and she is eager to further develop it through social skills, creative explorations and family support. Morgan has her BFA in Theatre for Community Development from Concordia University, and is passionate about applying diverse methods of engagement and learning in her work. Morgan is the one to talk to about payments, registration, extended services, tax receipts and forms, communications, etc.
Morgan PK
Senior Therapist and Educator
Allie completed a DEC in Special Care Counseling at Vanier College and went on to obtain a graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Science from Algonquin College. She has completed her Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) certification as well. Allie has experience working with children between the ages of 3 and 12 as an integration aide, instructor therapist and educator. She achieves an inclusive, nurturing, and exciting classroom setting and her goal is to create memorable moments with her students by encouraging communication, creativity, and personal development. She enjoys interacting with children and helping them reach their potential. Allie is passionate about encouraging children to be successful in all that they do and strives to create a fun and supportive environment to do so. As our Lead Therapist, Allie serves as a support person for our therapeutic team and programming as well as preparing materials for programming and therapy.
Allie Searle, RBT
BCBA Supervisor and Consultant
Kelly studied for the BCBA at Brock University in Ontario and received a certificate in ICI supervision from University of Laval in Quebec City. She has worked more than 27 years in the field of special needs with both adults and children with a variety of diagnosis and, over the last 18 years, specifically with ASD children and their families supervising ICI programs. Kelly enjoys exploring children’s interests and integrating their abilities to advance learning.
Kelly Wilson
Instructor Therapist & Group Facilitator
ÇaÄŸan completed her Bachelor's Degree at McGill University with a major in psychology and a minor in communications in sociology. Since graduating she has spent her time working with children at an adolescent program, after school program, and our Camp Next Steps. She has played many important roles here at LRP including educator, ABA Therapist, group facilitator and more!
ÇaÄŸan Diken
Livia Stewart
Educator, Instructor Therapist & Group Facilitator
Livia is experienced at gearing educational activities for kids between the ages of 3 to 12 after coordinating an overnight summer camp with a focus on personal development while learning in the outdoors. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education. Livia strives to better support the experience of young students with care and individual attention. While in preschool classrooms, she has worked to develop supportive programming as well as introduce various accommodations to her students. She is a creative educator and is excited to be working amongst the Little Red Playhouse team to better support and instruct the young and bright minds of tomorrow.
Glory Chima
Instructor Therapist
Glory graduated with honours from McGill with a BA in Psychology and Minor in Philosophy, and was valedictorian of her year. Glory has had many fulfilling opportunities as a research assistant and student in the field of Autism & Development research. She has experience working in a variety of clinical settings including Yaldei as a SLP Assistant, the Montreal Fluency Centre, Jake’s House and the West Island Neuropsychology and Counselling Centre. Outside of work, Glory is deeply committed to community service and volunteering within her community, and she is excited to be a part of the warm community here at LRP.
Seth Day
Educator & Group Facilitator
Working with children has been a lifelong passion for Seth! He has a BA in Art Education and has over ten years of experience working with kids. They have worked in different facets of childcare including as a teacher, professional nanny, museum educator, a workshop facilitator, and much more! He also is the founder and host of Rad Child Podcast which is all about how to have open, honest conversations with kids about tricky topics like race, gender, disability, etc. He loves to combine his passion for childcare and social justice! Seth is proudly queer and disabled. In his free time, Seth enjoys playing ukulele, playing board games, dancing, petting his four bunnies (when they allow it), spending time with his wife, and performing stand-up comedy.