About us
Frances Fishman
Founder & CEO of The Play Base. Discovering Beautiful Minds.
Founder & CEO
Frances Fishman never set out to become a business owner. She simply wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. What she didn't anticipate was how profoundly those children would change her own life.
Her journey began as a young dance teacher and summer camp counselor in Toronto, where she discovered the power of play, movement, and human connection. While supporting children with diverse developmental needs, she learned that meaningful communication doesn't always require words and that some of life's greatest lessons come from the children we believe we're teaching.
Those experiences shaped a belief that would become the foundation of The Play Base: meaningful growth begins with understanding, connection, and acceptance.
Her path
Finding a more compassionate way
As Frances entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), she fell in love with the science of learning and behavior. But she also began questioning approaches that focused primarily on changing observable behaviors without fully considering the child behind them.
She believed there was a more compassionate way to practice ABA, one that honored each child's individuality while considering their emotions, nervous system, relationships, and experiences.
With the encouragement of her husband, Frances took a leap of faith and created The Play Base, beginning as a one-woman practice while embarking on her own journey into motherhood.
What started as a dream has grown into a team of dedicated professionals who share her philosophy. To Frances, her team is an extension of her heart, values, and vision, bringing the spirit of The Play Base to life every day.
Today
Teaching, and being taught
Her evolving understanding of human behavior inspired The Play Base Method, which brings together four interconnected lenses: ABA, nervous system understanding, psychology, and human connection.
Today, Frances is a mother of three, clinician, educator, entrepreneur, and host of The Play Base Podcast. Through her work with children, families, schools, and professionals, she hopes to inspire a more compassionate approach to understanding behavior and supporting human development.
Frances believes that children have as much to teach us as we have to teach them. Her mission has never been to change who a child is, but to help each child develop the skills, confidence, and self-awareness to navigate the world authentically.
Because The Play Base has never been about fixing children. It's about understanding them, connecting with them, and helping them share their brilliance with the world.
Discovering Beautiful Minds.
Let's find out what your child needs
A friendly, no-pressure conversation with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. We'll listen, answer your questions and tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.