Our Board
From left to right: Don Fankhanel (Secretary Treasurer), Lori Fankhanel (President), Linda Robertson (Director), Betty Dean (Vice President), Kathy Mulka (OT, Unlmited Potentials), Meryl Lehn (OT, Stick Kids), Diane Luzny (Director), Susan Einstein (Member), Susan Terris (Director)
Lori Fankhanel
President, Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation
Upon receiving the first diagnosis for their son Jordan, Lori began her search for answers. In her search, she read ‘Out of Sync Child’ by Carol Kranowitz - and the rest is history.
Lori became involved with the SPD Foundation (U. S.) and established parent support meetings here in Edmonton. She then created SPD Alberta, a website that could touch all Albertans. From that experience, Lori led the way in the creation of the Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation (www.spdcanada.org), dedicated to reaching out and helping families, friends and professionals touched by SPD.
Lori is an experienced public speaker and facilitator. She is President of Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation, has been a board member of the Kid Foundation, and was Co-chair for Magic Moments, Birth to Three Society.
Betty Dean, M.Ed.
Vice President, Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation
Betty is a published author and retired school principal, experienced in working with students from 2 ½ years to 20 years of age. Learning about SPD has provided a lens through which to more clearly understand the needs of children, her professional practice, and her own history. With a passion for collaboration, and a specialization and interest in special needs children and language development, being the Vice President of the Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation has provided another opportunity to learn and to use her skills.
Don Fankhanel
Secretary Treasurer, Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation
Don is a very involved father, working to help both his children and others with SPD. He has volunteered for many events that involve helping children with special needs, where his organizational skills and sensitivity to the needs of children with ‘invisible disorders’ are invaluable. Don was co-chair of the Magic Moments fundraiser for the Birth to Three Society. With his wife, Lori, Don supports all those touched by SPD through the work of Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation.
Diane Luzny
Director, Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation
Diane has had contact with people with special needs for most of her life, beginning with her brother who has Down’s syndrome. Diane’s combined passions of psychology, sewing, and helping people with special needs, led to the founding of InnovAid, a company which produces innovative aids and therapeutic tools for children with special needs, and specifically those with sensory issues. As she spoke with more and more of her clients, she realized the isolation and frustration some parents and professionals felt, and the need for easier access to information regarding SPD. Diane is pleased to serve on the SPD Canada Board, and to contribute time and energy to help people whose lives have been impacted by SPD.
Linda Robertson
Director, Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation
Linda Robertson had close to 20 years experience in hotel sales, marketing and conference planning, but decided to hang up her business suits and heels to stay at home and advocate for her two special needs children. Little did she know she was honing her skills in sales, marketing, negotiating, planning and management to run intervention programs for both her children!
Linda brings her knowledge of marketing and conference planning to the work of SPD Canada. As well, Linda brings her passion as a mother of two children with diagnoses listed on the DSMIV as well as Sensory Processing Disorder. She is committed to having SPD recognized, and to help educate all those who come in contact with her children and all children with SPD.
Susan Terris, BCR
Director, Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation
For the past 20 years, Susan Terris has been studying the brain and body, the body’s reflex survival triggers, and how they work together to enhance or inhibit growth and learning. This understanding has been complemented by her work in schools and seniors centers as a rehabilitation practitioner and a therapy assistant. Now as a Specialized Kinesiologist, Susan has a private practice where she uses a variety of modalities which work with the wisdom of the body to take itself out of survival, therefore promoting health, creativity, joy and an enhanced ability to learn. Her involvement as a fitness instructor also supports her discipline, as does being on the SPD Board. Susan’s three children have been her best motivators and teachers.
Susan Einstein, BASc
Member, Sensory Processing Disorder Canada Foundation
Susan Einstein comes from a background in science and engineering, and is the mother of Mattias, a 5 year old boy with both autism and sensory processing disorder. Due to her son’s significant sensory challenges and their improvement with treatment, she has become increasingly passionate about raising awareness of SPD and its treatment. Susan feels that having access to information and resources is crucial for families and individuals affected by SPD, and her work on the SPD board extends that access. Her son currently attends a mainstream public kindergarten, with support.