Teach the skills behind behaviour.

Build autonomy, communication, and executive function.

Founded by Melanie de Ridder, M.Ed., BCBA, RBA(Ont.) — with 25+ years of experience in behaviour science, education, and classroom collaboration.

Her work helps adults understand behaviour at its source and build the skills learners need to thrive.

Evidence-based education for teachers, ABA professionals, and parents who want to move beyond behaviour management and learn how to build the skills that create lasting independence and engagement.

Ready, St, Let's Begin

ABOUT ABCDEmpower

Education That Changes How Behaviour Is Understood

ABCDEmpower was created to help the adults supporting children move beyond reacting to behaviour and begin teaching the underlying skills learners need to succeed.

Across classrooms, clinics, and homes, many of the challenges adults face are not simply behavioural problems.

They are signals that important skills — such as executive functioning, communication, autonomy, and self-determination — are still developing.

Through courses, workshops, and professional learning, ABCDEmpower helps educators, professionals, and parents shift from managing behaviour to teaching the skills that support regulation, communication, and independence.

Melanie is known for her ability to take complex research and behaviour science principles and translate them into clear, practical education that adults can understand and apply immediately.

Why Choose Us

A DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING ABOUT BEHAVIOUR

Education That Changes How Behaviour Is Understood

Maybe it’s not that you haven’t tried hard enough.

Maybe it’s that much of what we’ve been taught to do when behaviour becomes difficult focuses on what a child needs to stop doing — instead of what they need to start building.

Many traditional approaches emphasize compliance.

Be quieter.
Sit longer.
Stop reacting.

But those expectations don’t teach a child how to:

• understand boundaries
• set boundaries
• make meaningful choices
• communicate needs clearly
• regulate emotions in challenging moments

They often teach suppression — and suppression isn’t skill-building.

As a Registered Behaviour Analyst (Ontario) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Melanie’s work focuses on helping adults understand the skills that sit underneath behaviour.

Instead of focusing only on reducing behaviour, her approach focuses on building the capacities that allow learners to succeed in real environments.

Children do not need to become smaller to succeed.

They need opportunities to become stronger.

Stronger in how they regulate.
Stronger in how they make choices.
Stronger in how they communicate their needs.

This is education grounded in behaviour science that builds capacity — not compliance.

Why Choose Us

OUR CORE FOCUS AREAS

ABCDEmpower was created to help the adults supporting children move beyond reacting to behaviour and begin teaching the underlying skills learners need to succeed.

Across classrooms, clinics, and homes, many of the challenges adults face are not simply behavioural problems.

They are signals that important skills — such as executive functioning, communication, autonomy, and self-determination — are still developing.

Melanie is known for her ability to take complex research and behaviour science principles and translate them into clear, practical education that adults can understand and apply immediately.

Autonomy

Autonomy is the beginning of self-regulation.
When learners are supported in making choices and understanding their role in learning, engagement and independence increase.

Assertive Communication

Behaviour often reflects unmet communication needs.
Teaching learners how to express their needs, preferences, and boundaries reduces frustration and supports meaningful participation.

Self

Determination

Learners thrive when they understand their strengths, preferences, and voice.
Building self-determination helps learners advocate for themselves and develop long-term confidence.

Executive

Function

Skills such as planning, emotional regulation, flexibility, and task initiation are essential for learning and independence.
ABCDEmpower helps adults understand how to scaffold and teach these critical skills effectively.

Is this for you?

WHO WE SERVE

Teachers & Educators

ABCDEmpower provides research-informed professional learning that helps teachers go from outdated systems to build classroom environments that support executive functioning, autonomy, and engagement.

Behaviour Science Professionals

Professionals can access engaging continuing education opportunities that explore behaviour science through a skill-building lens and encourage deeper thinking about how learning environments influence outcomes.

Parents

Parents gain practical insight into understanding behaviour, supporting communication, and helping their children build the skills they need to become confident and independent learners.

Newest Resources

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

ABCDEmpower offers education designed to support those working with neurodivergent learners.

Learning opportunities include:

• professional learning workshops for educators
• CEU courses for behaviour professionals
• educational resources and tools
• speaking engagements and presentations