About Claudia Faierman-Shulman,
Founder of Sensational Learners Inc.
Claudia Faierman-Shulman has more than 25 years of experience in International Business, Marketing and Management. As a former Vice President for Être Belle North America, she was their spokesperson on National Television at the Shopping Channel. With the birth of her children, she decided to devote herself full time to motherhood, something she felt enthusiastic and passionate about.
When one of her own children encountered a language delay, Claudia immersed herself in the world of special needs and education. She began attending every conference, workshop and lecture she could find on topics such as Autism, Sensory Integration, Social Skills Training and Feeding Management. She began reading, researching, educating herself and connecting with renowned clinicians. The more she learned, the more she realized the importance of learning through play!
With talent and creativity, she invented unique games to connect with her children and address challenging concepts with fun and ease.
In 2010, she created the My Feelings game, with the intention of helping her own child to identify feelings in himself and in others, and to cope with them in positive ways.
Encouraged by enthusiastic responses from world-renowned clinicians, she embarked upon the monumental task of developing and producing the My Feelings games, to make them accessible to all children.
With that mission in mind, in 2012 Claudia founded Sensational Learners Inc., a company dedicated to creating fun, educational games to help parents engage and play with their children as they explore challenging concepts in an entertaining way.
That same year she met Dr. Lucy J. Miller, PhD, OTR, Clinical Director and Research Director at the STAR Center in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Miller is a pioneer and a top authority in the field of Sensory Integration and Self Regulation. Claudia presented her games to the STAR Center staff, and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Dr. Miller was eager to use the games to help kids at the STAR Centre. That vote of confidence fueled Claudia’s passion to make her dream become a reality.
Soon after, Claudia developed a collaborative relationship with Dr. Miller that has changed her life forever. Dr. Miller taught Claudia about regulation, and Claudia introduced Dr. Miller to Video Self-Modeling (VSM), a form of observational learning in which children observe themselves performing a behavior successfully on video, and then imitate the targeted behavior.
In 2014, Dr. Miller invited Claudia to make a presentation about VSM at the STAR Center. That same year, Claudia attended her first Toy Fair Convention in New York City, where she began to build a network that would contribute to the success of Sensational Learners Inc.
Later in 2014, Claudia was invited to address the York Region chapter of OSLA (Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists) with a lecture about Video Self- Modeling.
She was also the guest speaker at the All Staff Meeting of the Geneva Centre for Autism, where she shared the theory of Video Self-Modeling, combined with her personal experience, and gave unique insight into the challenges, successes and techniques that have contributed to achieving a happy and rewarding relationship with her children.
In 2015, Claudia launched the My Feelings game in the global market, enjoying great success via Amazon, Sensational Learners online stores, and soon after Toys R Us Canada, Indigo Chapters and other international distributors.
Later that year, Claudia was invited by the York Region chapter of OSLA (Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists) to present a workshop about the My Feelings game as a teaching tool to promote language and feelings literacy. Claudia was also invited to present the My Feelings game to a large group of therapists at the Geneva Centre for Autism.
In 2016, Claudia presented the My Feelings game at an Ellen Yack conference to a large group of occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and teachers.
She continues to present the game in schools, clinics and major retailers in an effort to make this revolutionary game accessible to everyone. Claudia's mission is to empower parents to fully enjoy their children, and to empower children to fully enjoy their childhood!
"Claudia is one of the most determined individuals I have ever met. When she cares about something, she makes it her mission and she makes it happen. Her work with the board game, My Feelings, is a great example. It has taken many, many, years, but is now a one-of-a-kind game, very engaging, and an excellent addition to everyone's closet who works or lives with children with autism.
When I first met Claudia My Feelings was a dream, and now just a few years later it is a reality. In addition to motivation, Claudia has true empathy and caring. What a tremendous combination to find in one person. I am so glad Claudia is a part of my world. I honor our friendship and sharing of interests and values."
Dr. Lucy Jane Miller
PhD, OTR, Founder and Clinical Director, STAR Center