11/05/2025
3 workshops and a panel in two weeks and another tomorrow! It has been such an energizing couple of weeks sharing ideas with educators and families about supporting autonomy driven learners! Tomorrow I am excited to be offering a workshop titled "Empowering the Independent Spirit" and we will be exploring ways to support autonomy driven learners with a neurodiversity affirming perspective. Together we will explore the nervous system connection, strategies that support flexibility and most of all, connection.
09/14/2025
✨ Update ✨
I’m excited to share that my Vancouver office-based services are now offered at — a beautiful, inclusive hub created by a fellow parent who envisioned a space where all families could feel welcome.
This World’s Ours has multiple spaces to explore — from areas where kids can climb, roll, run, and play, to cozy nooks where we can draw, create, or simply talk. It’s a setting that matches the playful, flexible, and interactive style I love to bring to sessions.
Here, I’ll continue providing 1:1 services for learners ages 3–13 with PDA, Autism, ADHD, and gifted profiles. While my focus is always on each child’s strengths, this new environment opens even more opportunities for creativity, fun, and growth.
I’m also excited to be part of a community where families can connect with other professionals — occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, counselors, and psychologists.
Thank you to the families I already see in Vancouver for making this transition with me. I’m looking forward to many playful and empowering sessions in this new space! 💙
08/21/2025
Big news from Esprit Learning ✨
Hi! Things have been busy at Esprit Learning and we have been making a lot of changes! Today was my very first day seeing clients in my new North Vancouver office!
After many years of travelling to homes and schools, I’m excited to now have a calm, welcoming space for families to come to me. This office is a place for learning, play, and connection — and I’m thrilled to start this new chapter.
For those who don’t know me, I’m Michelle 👋 — a BCBA who has worked with children, youth, and families for 25 years. I focus on creative, playful, neurodiversity affirming collaborations with learners and walking alongside parents as they build compassionate, practical strategies that really fit their family .
Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey. I can’t wait to welcome more families into this space 💙.
➡️ Stay tuned over the next week as I share more exciting updates about what’s new at Esprit Learning.
10/17/2024
Navigating PDA can feel overwhelming for families, but you don't have to do it alone. There are strategies that can support your child and your family. Are you feeling stuck in your journey with PDA? Let's talk about strategies that can help! Drop a comment or send me a DM to share your experience.
09/05/2023
🌟 What is Parent Coaching? 🌟
Parent or Caregiver coaching is like having a knowledgeable guide and ally in your corner. A coach can collaborate with you, meeting you where you are at with an open mind and a judgement free perspective. 🧡
Parents raising neurodivergent children are working with unique challenges and triumphs and a coach can help pair families with resources and ideas that can help a family as they move through life.
🚀 Benefits for Families:
1️⃣ Empower You: Gain the knowledge and tools you need to support your child's growth. A coach can help you with family challenges, provide ideas on navigating advocacy, support you during school meetings and even work with siblings to help them adjust to challenges as they arise.
2️⃣ Boost Confidence: Develop the confidence to navigate the complexities of neurodiversity. It is easy to doubt when walking through tough challenges, a coach is there to back you up.
3️⃣ Strengthen Bonds: Build stronger connections with your child through understanding and effective communication. I focus on helping families find joy!
4️⃣ Reduce Stress: Learn strategies to manage stress and daily challenges with resilience. We can’t always change what is happening in our lives but we can find ways to fuel us to face those challenges.
So, if you're on this beautiful, sometimes challenging, and always rewarding journey of raising a neurodivergent child, know that you're not alone. Curious to explore the world of parent coaching? Reach out today and let's embark on this transformative journey together. 💬🌱
🌟 What is Parent Coaching? 🌟
Parent or Caregiver coaching is like having a knowledgeable guide and ally in your corner. A coach can collaborate with you, meeting you where you are at with an open mind and a judgement free perspective. 🧡
Parents raising neurodivergent children are working with unique challenges and triumphs and a coach can help pair families with resources and ideas that can help a family as they move through life. As a fellow parent of 2 ND individuals, I have a unique understanding of the challenges along your path.
🚀 Benefits for Families:
1️⃣ Empower You: Gain the knowledge and tools you need to support your child's growth. A coach can help you with family challenges, provide ideas on navigating advocacy, support you during school meetings and even work with siblings to help them adjust to challenges as they arise.
2️⃣ Boost Confidence: Develop the confidence to navigate the complexities of neurodiversity. It is easy to doubt when walking through tough challenges, a coach is there to back you up.
3️⃣ Strengthen Bonds: Build stronger connections with your child through understanding and effective communication. I focus on helping families find joy!
4️⃣ Reduce Stress: Learn strategies to manage stress and daily challenges with resilience. We can’t always change what is happening in our lives but we can find ways to fuel us to face those challenges.
So, if you're on this beautiful, sometimes challenging, and always rewarding journey of raising a neurodivergent child, know that you are not alone.
💬 Curious to explore the world of parent coaching? Reach out today and let's embark on this transformative journey together. 🌱
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#gentleaba #executivefunctioning #vancouver #whistler #westvancouver #northvancouver #bowenisland
09/03/2023
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that we have open spots for homeschool learners! 📚✨
Whether you prefer telehealth sessions from the comfort of your home or in-person learning, we are here to support your child's educational journey. 🏡💻
Our gentle and compassionate approach to learning creates an environment where children can thrive, no matter where they are on their path. 🌱💡
Ready to learn more? Let's chat and explore how we can make this journey meaningful for your child. 💬🙌
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 At Esprit Learning, we are thrilled to announce that we have ✨ open spots ✨ for homeschool learners! During sessions learners can work in strengthening skills in areas such as planning and organization, task initiation, psychological flexibility, attention and focus, self-control, time management, perseverance, working memory, understanding social interactions, mindfulness, inferencing and more 📚
Whether you prefer telehealth sessions built around your schedule or in-person learning in your home, we are here to support your child's educational journey. 🏡💻
Our gentle and compassionate approach to learning creates an environment where children can thrive, no matter where they are on their path. And as a former homeschool parent herself, Michelle has an extensive foundation of knowledge in various homeschool models 🌱💡
Ready to learn more? Let's chat and explore how we can make this journey meaningful for your child. 💬🙌
#HomeschoolLearning #TelehealthEducation #InPersonLearning #EspritLearning #EducationMatters #homeschool #directlearning #virtual #adhd #neurodiversity #anxietysupport #autism� #autismparenting #childbehavior #elementaryschool #holisticaba #middleschool #mindfulparenting #neurodiversityaffirming #parentingadvice #parentcoach #parentingtweens #positiveparenting #MichelleKarren #helpforparents #gentlelearning #actinformedaba #gentleaba #executivefunctioning
08/23/2023
🏆 Ready to embark on a new school year? Here are a few ideas to try to help kickstart a joyful year:
🌳 Cultivate mindfulness: Find moments for mindfulness. A short guided mindful moment using an app, a walk through the park on your way home or listening to classical music can help support emotional regulation.
💡 Clarify values: Explore together what your values are. What does your child want to achieve? How do they want to feel? What feels important to them? Understanding our values can help us to align our actions with intentions.
📚 Practice Flexibility: Transitioning to a new routine can be challenging! Incorporate daily moments of flexibility, whether that’s a slightly adjusted meal or exploring a new activity. Flexibility can help support resilience. Ease in if needed, sometimes flexibility can be stressful as it’s important that we don’t match change with stress.
🪴 Every day offers a chance for growth, even if our growth is a tiny step forwards.
💫 Stay tuned for more ideas for an empowered year! 🌈 📚