It’s that time of the year again! Time to scour the stores (or websites) to search for the perfect holiday gifts for your child. When choosing a toy, the most important thing to consider is how your child will engage with it. Ideally, the toy should encourage your child to actively participate in what makes…
Constantly in action, it is not always easy to know when a child experiences temporary difficulties and when these difficulties become a disorder. Here are the main differences between a difficulty and a disorder in order to help you know when it would be relevant to refer a child to a professional. A difficulty: A…
Torticollis and plagiocephaly are two very common conditions seen by physiotherapy. As these conditions are quite treatable and often preventable, early intervention is key to supporting good outcomes. What is torticollis? Torticollis is an imbalance in muscle strength and range of motion, causing one side of the neck to be tight. This leads to a…
Everyone wants their children to have friends, have positive social interactions at school and be liked by their peers, but we do not necessarily practice the skills needed to be a good friend at home. Lauren Robinson, speech-language pathologist, shares skills that can be modeled at home between you and your children to teach these…
For some children, they seem to pick up on social skills naturally and without much support. For many children, however, being accepted and making friends can be one of the hardest parts about school. They may struggle with certain social skills that need to be explicitly taught by parents, their teachers and/or professionals. While we…
Toilet training can be a difficult endeavor for parents. When do you start? How do you know when to start? What do you do first? How do you know if your child understands what you are trying to have them do? There are so many questions and with them come many answers from any number…
Our Preschool JK/SK program continues to make a difference in the lives of our clients and families. Incorporating the family, and your child’s clinicians in various areas, allows us to create an individualized program, incorporating all techniques/strategies and recommendations into their daily living. Our program is designed to prepare children for a successful integration into…
The start of a new school year is a significant event in the life of a child and parent. The excitement that comes with a new beginning is often quickly overwhelmed by the arrival of homework and the need to study. For parents, this period can unfortunately require a degree of management that can lead…
Importance of mind-body connection As a parent, you know the importance of minimizing stress to raise healthy and well-adjusted children. You try your best to provide the extra-curricular activities that will enhance your child’s interests. You foster their learning and emotional intelligence by offering books, friendships and summer camps. Another tremendous gift you could offer…
Over the summer holidays, students are at risk of a significant loss of academic skills. Studies have indicated that this loss can be the equivalent of a month of instruction, as well as up to two months for students from disadvantaged areas. When school starts again, the student therefore has to dedicate a substantial amount…
Help your child (and yourself) understand what is going on Children, like adults, benefit from psychology services to either identify the source of a behavioral, emotional or a learning problem, or to help them develop strategies for coping with stressful events. Josh, a 10 year-old boy in grade 4, is a friendly child who was…
Your child’s language: tips and strategies to support its development! As parents, it isn’t always easy to be sure whether our children are meeting the expected language milestones. It can be even harder to know what to do if we do notice signs of a language delay. If you’ve ever felt this way, the following…
Some children have difficulty getting started on tasks and organizing materials, whether it’s their bedrooms, lockers or homework papers. These skills are referred to as executive functioning skills and include skills related to organization, time management; planning, impulse control, cognitive flexibility, and ability to self-monitor one’s work. Our occupational therapist Keltie Morrison shares tips to…
Speech strategies to support communication and language development in children with ASD Every child on the autism spectrum is unique and special, so strategies that work for each child will depend on that child and what is motivating to them. Here are ten great speech language pathology strategies that will encourage language development in children…
The Importance of Posture and Positioning for Handwriting by Ashley Cooper The other evening, I was at restaurant having dinner. I should have been enjoying the five course meal that was being prepared by the chef but instead I just could not get comfortable in my chair. The stool was too high from the floor…
Teachers are required to not only teach and report on academic achievement – they are also required to do the same regarding your child’s social and emotional intelligence. Teachers assess, evaluate and report on achievement of curriculum expectations and on the demonstration of learning skills and work habits. In order to do this, they also must teach…
It’s report card time, the perfect time for reflection and for planning. At this time in the year, parents should be able to look back and list things that were learned in each subject, as well as areas that could use some improvement or enrichment. In fact, your children should be the ones to tell…
5 suggestions to increase academic motivation Teenagers are tempted by many pleasures, immediate and ephemeral. They live in the present, and their future is far for them! In their quest for autonomy, they need to feel that they control their life, that their parents no longer have so much power over them. The lack of…
Understanding and overcoming the underlying challenges School is hard. Being an independent, successful student in a classroom is a tall order for most children. Different challenges arise at each grade level as expectations and difficulty increase. Cognitive skills such as organization, time management and attention influence success. Reading ability, vocabulary, and understanding of language all…
No matter what age your child is there are things you can do as a parent to help them learn to read and write. Here are some tips to start using today! Birth to toddler years Talk to your baby and bombard them with words – the more words you expose your child to the…
Through these winter months it is very tempting to stay indoors curled up on the couch with some hot cocoa. Despite the below zero temperatures, it is still important for kids to spend time outside in the fresh crisp winter air. There are many outdoor activities that are unique to this wonderful season, so get…
‘Tis the season to give thanks, so thank you for your confidence in Children’s Support Solutions! It has been our pleasure to work with your family and to be a part of your child’s development. The things you say and do, at home in your daily lives—such as when you talk about the activities they do…
by Laura Goldenberg If you are a parent you might have spent the last few weeks, or even months, chasing down all the trends for this year’s latest and greatest children’s toys. Visit any parenting page or group on Facebook at this moment and you will find desperate parents bidding their life savings to get…
by Laura Dutfield Our daily routines are filled with various transitions as we move from task to task or location to location. For children on the autism spectrum, these transitions can often produce anxiety and be accompanied by challenging behaviours. Luckily, there are a number of helpful tools to increase predictability and create structure in daily…
by Houda Nasreddine Literacy acquisition can be quite the challenge given the multitude of skills a child must first develop in order to learn how to read. The average child needs to first acquire phonological awareness, that is, learn the sounds that make up language. They need to be able to play with sound structures…
This free webinar is hosted by Dr. Samuel Siah, a clinical psychologist at Children’s Support Solutions who specializes in assessing, diagnosing and treating a variety of mental health and learning difficulties in children and youth. It will give a brief overview of social anxiety, including common signs and symptoms, different diagnoses, a common therapeutic approach…
Family mealtimes provide a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your children. Sharing meals together is one of the earliest social experiences your child will encounter and this can help to shape their participation in family and social routines as they grow. But what do you do when your child won’t eat? Having a ‘picky…
When school’s out, we’re in for an action filled day of activities. Children will explore the world of crafts, games, and special activities while developing new friendships. Our Winter Camp Program at Children’s Support Solutions is designed to foster social skills and enable our campers to form long lasting friendships. We work on specific group…
by Ashley Cooper & Ashley Rego According to the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, 1 in 10 Canadians have a learning disability. A learning disability can be described as a gap between the level of achievement that is expected and what is actually achieved. Contrary to popular belief, learning disabilities can affect people with average…
Advocating for your child at school In a follow-up to our “Tips from a Principal” webinar, educator and principal Nancy Lerner shares her experience when it comes to advocating for your child at school. As parents, we never stop advocating for our children, no matter what their age. Advocacy in schools is very helpful as…
Parent-teacher interviews are a great way to find out how your child is doing in school and to show your interest in your child’s learning and classroom experiences. A 10-15 minute parent-teacher interview can give you insight as to how your child is doing, where your child needs to improve and how you can help.…
Whether your child is starting school for the first time or returning after a summer break, the start of the school year brings a great deal of excitement, together with some anxiety and stress. A little planning and preparation can ease much of the uncertainty and help to make the first day an enjoyable experience…
It’s that time of year…back to school! For some children and parents, this is a time of excitement. For others, it is a time of worry and anxiety. We’ve asked our experts for their advice on how to reduce this anxiety when it comes to heading back to school. Lauren Robinson, speech-language pathologist, shares: Preview…
Introducing Catherine Norsworthy, speech language pathologist Parenting is not easy. We are here to help and to introduce your family to the compassionate therapists we work with. We’re excited to introduce you to Catherine Norsworthy, one of the wonderful speech language pathologists working with Children’s Support Solutions. Tell us a little bit about where you…
A summer success story Our summer camp provides many opportunities for social and community goals to be targeted throughout the camper’s time with us. During one of our Summer Camp programs, we had met a family who was excited to hear that our community excursions involved the use of public transportation, particularly the bus. The…
Meet our summer camp crew! Allison Leach, Preschool Director & Camp Director Allison Leach has been a part of the Preschool Program since launching in September 2009, and began her career here as an Instructor Therapist prior to beginning Preschool. Allison has received her Early Childhood Diploma in 2006, Bachelor of Arts hons. in 2009…
Strategies parents can implement to manage school anxiety Times of transition or change can be stressful and anxiety-provoking for many children, especially the transition from the ever-anticipated summer break to school in September. In the days leading up to the first day of school, your child may become irritable, withdrawn and engage in frequent tantrums.…
Three ways parents can encourage positive social development Many parents express concern regarding the social development of their children, seeking ways to augment positive social skills. In Dimensions of Early Childhood (2010), social skills are defined as ‘behaviours that promote positive interaction with others and the environment’. Though many children develop these skills naturally, some…
The aftermath of having a child receive an autism diagnosis can feel like a whirlwind of emotions, as well as a whirlwind of acronyms. Many different acronyms start popping up such as: ASD, DFO, IBI, and ABA. If your child has moderate to severe Autism, your doctor or psychologist may refer you to your regional…
Do you ever feel like managing your family’s agenda is as complex as managing a Prime Minister’s schedule? Can Olivia attend Florence’s birthday party? Can you have a girls’ night out on November 10th or is that the week your partner is away at a conference? And the question that inevitably comes back every day:…
Speech, language, and reading – a starter guide for parents To celebrate Speech and Hearing Awareness Month this May, our speech-language pathologists hosted a free webinar “Speech, Language, and Reading – a Starter Guide for Parents. Learn how to encourage your child’s speech, language and reading skills. The role of a speech-language pathologist is to…
Preparing for routine changes 5 W’s to a smooth routine change Change itself is one of the only things we cannot change. That being said, one of the most difficult things to prepare a child for is change. Whether it be changing schools, or changing a routine it is bound to be difficult. As parents,…
Our summer camps in Toronto, Aurora (Ontario) and Westmount (Quebec) are fun, convenient, affordable and inclusive of all abilities! Join us for a day full of fun activities! Our team of early childhood educators and health professionals will work with our campers on creative program activities. 1:1 support: Children who require dedicated support than, more than…
Tips to help you keep your child’s mind engaged throughout the summer As the summer quickly approaches, many parents are thinking about summer plans for their children and activities to keep them engaged and learning. Our child development experts share their tips for a summer of fun and learning to help children retain what they…
Dates: July 4th – July 8th & August 22nd – August 26th Times: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (extended hours available) Clientele: 4 – 8 years Location: Westmount Clinic Program: Join us for a day full of fun activities in our Westmount location! Our team of professionals and early child educators will work with our…
Summer time learning and therapy specials Already a Children’s Support Solutions customer in Quebec or planning to become one? Enjoy our blocks of therapy hours at special rates for the summer, at our Quebec clinics only. For use from June 15 to September 15 and save 10% to 25 % depending on the package chosen. Register now!…
Introducing Lauren Robinson, speech language pathologist Parenting is not easy. We are here to help and to introduce your family to the compassionate therapists we work with. We’re excited to introduce you to Lauren Robinson, one of the wonderful speech language pathologists working with Children’s Support Solutions. Tell us a little bit about where you grew…
Top 10 occupational therapy tips for your school-aged child One of our wonderful occupational therapists, Keltie Morrison, shares tips to help your child in school. Positioning: when in class or at home, make sure kids’ feet are supported when seated. Poor posture and balance can happen when feet are dangling. Establish organization and routine: plan…
Working with an interprofessional team As a parent, you do everything you can to encourage and provide the foundation your child needs to reach their potential. But what happens if your child is struggling with a developmental or genetic disorder, or mental health concern? What are the common issues to accessing services? How can an…
The benefits of speech language pathology The main goal of speech language pathology is to improve communication. When it comes to working with children, a speech language pathologist’s primary goal is to make sure your child can understand and be understood in the wider world. Is your child’s speech clear? Does she understand others? When…
ABA vs. IBI: What is the difference? The aftermath of having a child receive an autism diagnosis can feel like a whirlwind of emotions, as well as a whirlwind of acronyms. Many different acronyms start popping up such as: ASD, DFO, IBI, ABA, and TPAS. What do they all mean? We will attempt to help…
Introducing Mindy Emm of the Children’s Treatment Network Parenting is not easy. We are here to help and to introduce your family to other great parenting resources in our communities. We’re excited to introduce you to Mindy Emm of the Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York. Tell us a little bit about where you grew up…
In support of World Autism Awareness Day, we are spreading the word on what autism is and how to help children with autism reach their potential. In Ontario over 70,000 people have Autism and more broadly it affects 1 in 150 children. Our therapy team wore blue for the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day, April…
Do changes to routines affect your child’s behaviour at home and in school? Learn how we can help. Getting children into good sleep or study routines is tough enough; vacations and daylight saving time can add an extra element to the challenge of keeping to a family’s routine. Changes in routine can be fun but…
How to help a child who is being bullied Question: My child is being bullied. Sometimes he ends up responding to the bullying in a way that makes the bullying worse or that lands him in trouble at school. How can I help him to respond in ways that will be helpful, not harmful? Answer:…
We’re thrilled to have Shauna Markowitz M.ADS, BCBA, Senior Therapist and Behaviour Consultant, back to Children’s Support Solutions after a maternity leave! Shauna is a long-time member of the Children’s Support Solutions team and has worked diligently in her time with the organization to build our Behaviour Therapy offerings. Shauna has over ten years’ experience…
What is Applied Behaviour Analysis? Given the recent increase in the prevalence and awareness of autism and other developmental disabilities, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is becoming more common now than ever. It is often recommended by health care professionals and teachers as a treatment for a variety of behaviours. But what is ABA, and how…
During a child’s first five years of life, she is starting to explore books and to learn about writing and reading. From grades one to three, a great majority of a child’s time at school is spent learning to read. From grade four and onward a child is using her reading skills and is reading to…
Help your child learn to ride a bike Riding a bicycle can be an important rite of passage for a child. Learning to ride a bike can be a scary and overwhelming adventure for both parents and children alike! When thinking about helping your child to learn to ride a bike, consider what may make…
Parents, and family, play a critical role in a child’s language development. During this busy holiday season, encouraging your child’s developmental needs can seem overwhelming. Keep in mind that the holiday season is filled with natural opportunities to encourage your child’s language development. Here are some fun ways to nurture your child’s development this holiday season.
“It’s not your imagination: children who are struggling with mental health, neurodevelopmental, and behavioural challenges are more likely to be bullied—and/or to bully—other children.”
Ann Douglas is the author of numerous books about pregnancy and parenting, including Parenting Through the Storm: How to Handle the Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between (a guide to parenting a child with a mental health, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural challenge).
Our “Raising a bilingual child: The top five myths” webinar with Caroline Erdos was a popular and questions from bilingual homes are still coming in. Here we share more questions that have been sent in from both educators and parents, along with Dr. Erdos’ expert answers:
If you are a parent whose child struggles with bullying, it may be difficult to know who you can turn to for help. Fortunately, at a place like Children’s Support Solutions, there are a lot of different providers who can offer their expertise to help regarding many of the issues involved. Parents can feel comfortable knowing that we can identify these concerns and treat the whole child—all under one roof.
Does your child need some extra help to reach their potential? Bring them in for a free screening by a childhood development expert to get a better sense for what they need to succeed. Contact us today for a FREE 20-minute screening for your child by one of our child development experts. Reasons you may…
Watch our webinar “Raising a bilingual child: The top five myths” If you missed our “Raising a bilingual child: The top five myths” webinar with Dr. Caroline Erdos and Mary Jose Guerrier you can watch it here: Your Hosts: Dr. Caroline Erdos, Speech Language Pathologist and Mary Jose Guerrier, Program Manager with Morneau Shepell. Myths…
A guide to the benefits of interprofessional care for families & children Our latest guide on the benefits of an interprofessional approach to care for children and teens is now available. Download your copy today! An interprofessional approach looks like this: 1+1=3. This means that for a child who needs behaviour, speech and occupational…
Watch our latest webinar: Tips from a principal If you missed our “Tips from a principal: How to advocate for your child at school” webinar with Nancy Lerner and Allison Leach you can watch it here: Your Hosts: Nancy Lerner, Educational Consultant and Allison Leach, Ontario Certified Teacher Nancy Lerner holds a Master’s degree in Communicative…
What can an Occupational Therapist do for my child? Have you ever wondered what an “Occupational Therapist (OT)” does? And what about OTs that work with children? You may have heard of OTs that work in schools, children’s hospitals or private children’s clinics. Or maybe someone has recommended that your child see an Occupational Therapist…
In support of Autism Awareness Month, we are spreading the word on what autism is and how to help children with autism reach their potential. In Ontario over 70,000 people have Autism and more broadly it affects 1 in 150 children. Autism is a complex neurological disorder Autism usually appears during the first three years…
Who wants to think about school over the summer? Parents do! When children have long breaks without regular opportunities to practice reading and other skills they need in school, they often need extra time to get back into the swing of things when they return to school in the fall. Research shows that students lose…
Introducing Brenda Agnew, Director of Three To Be Parenting is not easy. We are here to help and to introduce your family to other great parenting resources in our communities. We’re excited to introduce you to Brenda Agnew, the Director of THREE TO BE. Tell us a little bit about where you grew up and…
What is apraxia? Learn how to help your child From the moment that your child is born, you start anticipating first steps, teaching your child to ride a bike and the first day of school. Another “first” that you imagine with great anticipation is your child’s first words. What happens as your child’s first words…
Understanding Down Syndrome: resources for new parents We love to help, and most importantly, we want to share how we can help with parents whenever we can. Recently, we received this question by email by one of our community supporters: “I am wondering if you can direct me to some great resources on behalf of…
The purpose of our Parent Advocacy Guidebook is to help parents advocate for, document and track the needs of their children who have special needs. This handbook was created as a guidebook to help parents ask questions, get information and record information about their child’s needs. It is our intention that this guidebook will evolve…
Online Therapy and Learning Services Exciting news! We now offer online therapy and learning services. From the comfort of your home – or just about anywhere with a high-speed internet connection – your child can participate in one on one therapy, live with their therapist or educator. No complicated equipment is needed just a tablet or…
Join us for ‘Advocating for your child’ – a free online event with Ann Douglas, Canadian parenting and mental health author. Advocacy Event Description This event features advocacy strategies for parents who have a child with a behavioural, neurodevelopmental, or mental challenge. Topics to be discussed include record keeping for advocacy purposes, navigating the health…
Watch the recording of ‘Parenting Through the Storm’ Thank you to Ann Douglas and everyone who participated for an inspiring evening. We are looking forward to hosting more of these events in the future. Next up is ‘Advocating for your child’. This online event will be held on May 28th from 9-10pm. Spots are limited.…
Did you know that 1 in 10 Canadians has a learning disability? Ranging from mild to severe, learning disabilities can include challenges with reading, writing, mathematics and concepts related to time. Mild learning disabilities often go undiagnosed leading to challenges in the classroom and the assumption that the child is unmotivated, lazy or unintelligent. In…
New Location We’re relocating to a new, more accessible, private location in Toronto Mid-town On Tuesday, April 7th, Children’s Support Solutions’ Toronto clinic is relocating to a more accessible and private location – just 7 kilometers southeast of our current location at The Links Plaza. As you may know, the existing Toronto clinic opened over…
For some children, dealing with transitions or changes to their routine can be tricky. Our child development experts weigh-in on how to help your child transition happily in the new year. Consistency is key! Try to keep major parts of routines consistent (e.g. wake-up and bedtime) you can help reduce the number of schedule adjustments…
Saturday Speech Appointments We aim to meet your needs – with clinical excellence and convenient appointment times. Many of our clinics now offer Speech-Language Pathology appointments on Saturdays. If your child could benefit from working with a speech-language pathologist and Saturdays are the most convenient for you – call us at 1-866-653-2397 or send us…
If you are a Canadian resident who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (Disability Amount), you may also be eligible to open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and receive money from the Government of Canada in the form of grants and bonds to help you save for the future. The RDSP is a long-term…
Helping your child improve their report card results Soon, if they haven’t already, your child will be bringing home their latest report card. As a parent, you are an expert on your child, while your child’s teacher is a grade level expert. These reports help parents understand their child’s grade level as well as their…
Summer is here, and we have packages of hours available at reduced rates with flexible clinic hours and schedules to accommodate your vacation dates and family activities. Keep your child learning and engaged with sessions focused on: reading; writing; math; self-confidence; behaviour; preparation for high school; and more! Learn more about our summer rates Learn…
Welcome! If you are looking for the Collage Pediatric Therapy website, don’t worry, you’re in the right place. Morneau Shepell acquired Collage Pediatric Therapy to expand the services offered to children and families in October 2013. The multidisciplinary therapy services for children you’ve experienced through Collage are now being delivered by Morneau Shepell under the…
