Meet the Founder
22+ years of experience. One clear purpose: helping neurodivergent people find connection and belonging.
For more than 22 years, Kathleen has supported neurodivergent children, youth, and adults across a wide range of settings. Through every role, one thing has remained constant: a belief that connection begins with feeling understood.
Experience Across Settings
Her professional background spans early-career roles in ABA and behaviour support, respite and private support work, individualized one-to-one programming, specialized classrooms, community programs, and EarlyON. Over time, her approach evolved toward the relationship-based, neurodiversity-affirming work that now defines Buddy UP! — recreational, non-clinical groups built around connection, belonging, and individual strengths.
Across Canada and Australia, she has worked in homes, schools, daycares, specialized classrooms, and community settings.
Schools • Daycares • Homes • Specialized Classrooms • Community
Experience That Grew Into Leadership
At a private school for neurodivergent students, Kathleen served as Assistant Executive Director, helping develop programs while supervising, training, and leading teams of educators.
But experience is only part of the story.
The Relationships Behind the Work
What has stayed with her most are the relationships — the child whose personality shines when they feel accepted exactly as they are, the young person who feels understood, and the participant who discovers that connection can feel easier.
She starts with who they are: what makes them laugh, what they care about, their strengths, and the support that helps them feel comfortable being themselves.
Where Buddy UP! Began
It all began with one simple request.
One Mom Reached Out
A local mom was looking for something her teenage daughter desperately wanted — a friend.
A Few Teens Met at the Library
What began as a small gathering at the local library in Angus became a weekly place to play games, create art, laugh, talk, and spend time together.
Friendships Began to Grow
And week after week, they kept coming back.
Those casual gatherings began turning into genuine connections and real friendships.
Something Bigger Began
That little library group became Buddy UP! Since then, groups have reached communities across Simcoe County, while the goal has stayed the same: helping neurodivergent people find connection and belonging close to home.
The Heart Behind Buddy UP!
She believes there is no single “right” way to socialize or communicate. Buddy UP! respects individuality, builds on strengths, and supports personal growth through genuine connection — without asking anyone to become someone they are not.
At the heart of it all is a genuine love for the people she works with and a deep respect for who they are.
A Note from the Founder
“One thing you’ll notice pretty quickly in a Buddy UP! group is that I love to laugh.
Humour, playfulness, and positivity are a big part of how I connect with people. Social growth doesn’t have to feel clinical or overly serious — some of the best moments happen when everyone is relaxed, laughing, being a little silly, and genuinely enjoying being together.
Of course, not every day is an easy day, and there’s room for that too. But I always want Buddy UP! to feel like a place where people can be themselves, have fun, and leave feeling seen, welcomed, and glad they came.
Connection matters. Belonging matters. And I think laughter belongs there too.
At the end of the day, if someone leaves a group feeling a little lighter, a little more confident, and like they truly belonged there, then I know something meaningful happened.
And if friendships are beginning to form along the way? That’s when I know Buddy UP! is doing exactly what it was created to do.”
Kathleen Burroughs
Founder & Program Facilitator
Buddy UP! Social Skills
A place to connect, belong, and be yourself.
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