5 tips for inclusive birthday parties 1) Plan ahead and make sure the space is accessible. 2) Consider sensory needs, and a quiet space in case of overstimulation. 3) Gather your guest list early with an RSVP form for dietary restrictions or accessibility. 4) Let parents know the party schedule ahead of time. 5) Prepare to have an extra adult on deck to help you. More effective care When professionals are interacting with your child for the first time, ask them to: • Identify themselves and address your child directly. • Slow down and be clear with instructions. • Make no assumptions abo ..read more

Calm-Down Corners, or cozy corners, have been shown to provide a more positive experience for children than a classic time-out. Many young families are creating safe and comfortable spaces that provide a private spot for child to spend time in when they’re upset, overstimulated, or needing to self-regulate.  Not necessarily in corners, these quiet spaces have blankets and pillows to sit with, sensory toys, and a few calming activities that will allow for mindfulness. A corner is ideally easily accessed by the child whenever they want some personal space or notice themselves feeling uncomf ..read more

Can a tutor help? If your child is falling behind, not stimulated, or has other learning disabilities or ADD, extra support is often recommended to assist with skills like; time management; planning and organizationally skills. While time needed and type of assistance will vary from child to child, regular tutoring can help build confidence, language skills and homework as well. Handling an anaphylaxis emergency • Give epinephrine (e.g. EpiPen®) at first sign of suspected reaction.  • Call 9-1-1 and tell them it’s an anaphylactic reaction.  • Give a second dose of epinephrine 5 min ..read more

…for Lochlin, a young patient with autism By Kiley Lortie and Dr. Gillian Hogan  Nine-year-old Lochlin Baxter was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) shortly before his third birthday. Over the years, he developed a strong dislike to solid foods and struggled with healthy weight gain. But that has changed for the better thanks to support from the McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) Autism Program. The program is located at the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre (RJCHC), which is part of Hamilton Health Sciences, and is home to one of the largest growing hospital-affiliated autism ..read more

S ocial skills are an essential part of a child’s growth. Through social skills we build opportunities for teachable moments which are often unplanned lessons that allow one to inform or generate discussion that allows for education. Furthermore, these teachable moments can allow for the most remarkable learning. What are social? Social skills are the skills we use when we interact with others. These skills can be verbal or non-verbal and they assist in bettering our relationships and communication with others. Many social skills can be taught early in life, paving the way for a successfu ..read more

Timing, rules, and safety By Jessie Forbes The age in which your youngster should be given their own phone is becoming a  topic of debate as digital devices become more of an everyday tool. Regardless of peer pressure, what’s is important to keep in mind, your  child’s needs, abilities and lifestyle. Consider the pros and cons… Cellular devices can be incredible resources as well as safety tools but they can also be used to connect with or participate in activities that could be inappropriate and or unsafe. Pros • Find me: With internal tracking devices and location settings parents ..read more

Talking about money A new national survey reveals that 25% of adults rank their current financial situation as their main source of stress and that this stress is inadvertently impacting their children. To help kids understand finances and potentially challenging times:  1) Go slowly and encourage open conversations.  2) Create a welcoming space where children can ask money questions. 3) Discuss cost differences between buying one toy or two and the evils of overspending. 4) Talk about saving part of the money they’re given. 5) Encourage budgeting and financial tools, beginning with ..read more

You may not feel lucky yet.  If you are reading this letter you, somehow, someway, are on a similar path that I’ve walked. A path that, maybe, probably, wasn’t one you wanted to go down. A path that looks terrifying, uninviting, and not at all what you expected.  When I found out I was having a little girl, I let my dreams build up, my expectations soar, and my mind ponder all that she would be. Then three days after she was born, a doctor looked at me with the saddest eyes possible, eyes that will forever haunt me, and said, “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your daught ..read more

Having “the sex talk” with your child is always uncomfortable and for that reason, some parents try to put it off as long as possible. However, the way you handle this time in your kid’s life can help lay the groundwork for not only a more trusting parent-child relationship, but also happier and healthier relationships for your child’s future. If your teen or pre-teen is showing signs of curiosity about hookup culture, show them this resource to get the conversation started… What do I need to know about hooking up? The definition of hooking up may vary from person to person. No matter how you ..read more

…and the lengths their parents go to access it Access to physical activity and sport is not equal. Children and young people with disabilities are less likely to engage in physical activity and sport, as there are significant barriers to their participation. Parents are often vital in helping their children become involved in sport. In our research, we spoke to 11 parents of children and young people aged between 12 and 25 who were competing in at UK or international level in parasport. We wanted to understand their experience supporting their children’s sport participation and parasport pathw ..read more