Your Content Goes Here Summer in Ontario - my favourite time of the year! Welcome summer and welcome sunshine! Although we need to be careful with how much time we spend in the sun, getting twenty minutes here and there of sun exposure can provide us with the Vitamin D we need for optimal energy and can even make us feel uplifted and peaceful all at the same time. Early morning or late day are great times of the day to take in the sun with little worry about sun burns or overheating unless it is a really hot day. (When it is hot, smaller doses might be better and don’t forget to hydrate!) With the sun also shining on our gardens and farmers’ fields, summer in Ontario also gives us an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruit. Stay informed of what is ready at what times. Every week, you can be enjoying a different type of nutrient dense vegetables or fruit that is newly in season. Farmer markets are a great way to take advantage of fresh produce. Ask questions, find out where the produce is grown and if it is grown organically etc. Ensure what you are buying is locally grown, supporting farmers all around us. Fruits and vegetables on the top of my list: Asparagus: One of the first veg ready in the spring - the season only lasts about 4-6 weeks so don’t miss out - I enjoy it at least twice a week while it is in season. Asparagus is full of nutrition: source of antioxidants, liver cleansing and a great source of prebiotic fibre to support gut health. Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries: They are ready one after another so you have a few weeks to enjoy each at their best. These berries are a low glycemic fruit (breaks down to sugar slower than other fruit) and full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. (Not to mention they taste great!!) Greens, greens and more greens: Summer is the best time of the year to make salads. Don’t limit yourself to one or two types of lettuce - include dandelion, arugula, endive, and all the lettuce varieties out there. Swiss chard, collard greens, beet greens - all can add a bit of different flavour to your salad, with different types of vitamins and minerals. Pair your salad with other colourful vegetables as well as an olive oil and vinegar salad dressing which will help you absorb all the goodness these leaves have to offer. Cherries: Another great fruit choice. These are high in fibre and can also help you have a good night’s sleep. Onions of all kinds: Yellow ones, red ones, long green ones, chives, white ones - not only do they add a ton of flavour but also help your liver do its job and helps to keep your gut happy. Add them to salads, casseroles, soups, or topped on a burger. Garlic: Garlic cloves or garlic scapes add so much [...]

Your Content Goes Here What is ADHD and how does anxiety factor in? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Anxiety is a natural emotion that embodies feelings of worry, nervousness or fear. Anxiety becomes disordered when it manifests itself into thoughts, physical responses, and behaviours that are maladaptive. We often hear from parents that their child who experiences anxiety is now being identified at school as possibly having ADHD, which can come as a shock to them. However, this actually makes sense and is quite common as ADHD and anxiety have some overlapping characteristics. Some of these overlapping characteristics include: Inattention, Trouble focussing, Emotional instability, Low self-esteem, Outbursts, Overstimulation, Problems with social skills. How we understand these as signs of ADHD or as signs of anxiety depends on the lens we are seeing them through, some questions to ask are: Is this a struggle of the brain or is this an emotional response? Is it hard for your child to focus because they have a hard time paying attention in general or are they experiencing racing thoughts? Are they overstimulated from the need to move around or from experiencing overwhelming and intense feelings? Are they having trouble with friends because of their behaviours or because they have isolated themselves due to excessive worry? Understanding the reasons behind the behaviour is key to determining if your child has a possible diagnosis of ADHD, anxiety, or both. A psychological assessment or appointment with your doctor can determine the diagnosis and next steps to best support your child. If you are interested in learning more about how our team can support diagnosis and provide mental health support call us at 519.302.2300 or email reception@brantmentalhealth.com To watch a video from one of our social workers about ADHD, head to this facebook link https://www.facebook.com/BrantMentalHealthSolutions/videos/283035674648877

Your Content Goes Here Hydration is important at any time of the year but especially as the weather warms up. As we get outdoors, enjoy the sunshine and start to sweat more, our need for fluid intake increases. Since our bodies are up to 70 percent water, it is no wonder all parts of our body functions more optimally when we are hydrated. Feeling thirsty? This means dehydration has already set in and we have lost at least ten percent of our body’s water content. Have a headache along with being thirsty? This is your body’s way of telling you to re-hydrate and now! What’s the best way to consume water during the day? Drink before you are thirsty. Don’t gulp water or drink large amounts at once. This overwhelms your system and most of the fluid will get eliminated. Drink slowly and steadily. Drinking small amounts of water on a continuous basis will help you rehydrate and stay hydrated. Are all beverages hydrating? If you are looking to hydrate, avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages. Beverages with added sugars are also ones to avoid as they will make you even more dehydrated. Find it hard to just drink water? Water with lemon is a great hydrating beverage. Other hydrating options are:  Water with either lime, cucumber, or a bit of cranberry juice. (Your kidneys thrive on hydration as well as cranberries). Additional hydration can be achieved by eating vegetables like celery, cucumber or peppers as well as juicy fruits. Herbal teas are another great way to hydrate. Peppermint tea, nettle tea, rooibos teas, and fruit teas can be hydrating, especially when paired with lemon. These are great to drink as iced teas in the summer months as well. Coconut water is another great drink to hydrate with. Don’t like the taste? Add it into your iced tea beverage with some citrus or cranberry to give it a lovely taste. Playing sports? Do not rely on commercial electrolyte drinks that are packed with added sugar, colours and additives. Either make your own with coconut water or look for natural electrolyte mixes that will help restore the mineral balance that helps you maintain hydration. Final Thoughts: Not only does hydration help with energy levels and overall wellness, your body’s many systems depend on it. When you are constantly dehydrated, even minimally, strain is placed on all your organs, especially your kidneys. Dehydration can even play a role in blood pressure, gut health and liver detoxification. There are a lot of things we can do to make our body function efficiently and hydration is right at the top of the list. To learn more on how you can enhance your nutrition and self care, book a 15 minute free consultation with Tammy today.

Your Content Goes Here THE PROCESS:  Intake call with our admin team: At either Pathways To Hope or Brant Mental Health Solutions our admin team is trained to take you through some screening questions which help us to place you with the right speech team at our office. We do currently have a waitlist, but we have hired an additional Speech Thrapist and Communicative Disorders Assistant to help us get through our waitlist quicker. Initial visit and assessment: The SLP will complete an in-person or virtual assessment based on the information collected during your intake call. Our approach to assessment ensures we take the time to understand your child’s needs and adapt our service delivery to meet their individual engagement and interaction style. Assessment can include some or all of the following: Case History Parent Interview Communication Concerns Informal Observation Behavioural Observation Formal Standardized Assessments Obtaining a language sample Oral Motor Examination Discussion of results and recommendations We encourage families to bring any previous Speech-Language Pathology assessment/discharge reports, or other relevant service provider documentation (e.g., Occupational Therapy, Behaviour Therapy, etc). To ensure true patient-centered care, our clinicians believe in the importance of collaboration with other service providers to ensure continuity of service both within and across disciplines. Intervention: Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are regulated and licensed healthcare professionals with the College of Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). SLPs support the identification, education, assessment and intervention of both communication and/or feeding swallowing disorders in both children and adults. WHAT AREAS DO WE TREAT? Receptive Language: Difficulty understanding or processing language. Expressive Language: Difficulty putting words together, having a limited vocabulary, or being unable to use language in a socially appropriate way. Articulation (Speech Sound Production): Difficulty making sounds or saying words incorrectly to the point that listeners can’t understand what’s being said. Oral Motor Concerns: Difficulty with moving and/or coordinating the lips, tongue, jaw and other oral motor muscles required for speech production. Voice & Resonance: Difficulties with pitch, volume, or quality of the voice. Social Communication & Play: Difficulties using verbal and non-verbal language for a variety of reasons or using language to build relationships. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication concerns are one aspect of autism spectrum disorder, which can include difficulties with social skills and language. Individuals with Autism may have difficulty understanding and using words, learning to read or write, or engaging in communication exchanges. Literacy: Difficulties with phonological awareness, reading and/or writing. Feeding & Swallowing: Difficulties with chewing and swallowing, coughing, gagging, texture sensitivity, and/or refusing foods. If intervention is recommended, the SLP will design and implement various activities to target your child’s communication goals. Activities will range from low to highly structured depending on the clients’ interests and communication/learning profile. Caregiver involvement is an important component of intervention to promote and help parents feel confident supporting their child’s speech and language progress at home. The SLP will provide take-home activities that the caregiver can use to support the ongoing development [...]

Your Content Goes Here What Is A Concussion? A concussion is a trauma to the brain as a result of direct (blow to the head) or indirect (whiplash) force to the brain.  The brain sits inside of our skull, surrounded by fluid that is designed to give it space to move ever so slightly. When a force impacts the head or causes it to move in a certain direction rapidly, the brain can “slosh” inside the skull and bump into the hard bone.  This is the trauma that the brain can experience that causes a concussion.  Think of it like a bruise to the brain. In the immediate aftermath of a concussion, blood flow to the brain declines, preventing important energy molecules in the form of glucose from reaching your brain.  This creates an energy crisis in the brain which is why fatigue is a primary symptom people experience following an impact. If you, or your family are involved in sports, it is very likely that you know someone who has suffered from a concussion. Where Else Can A Concussion Occur? When we think of concussions, we often think of them happening in sports, but there are other places a concussion can occur Car Accidents Slips/Falls Work related injuries We all know that a concussion is not a good thing and we try to make sports and work as safe as possible to prevent these or other types of injuries.  But sometimes it can still happen and it is always best to know what to do if you or someone you know has suffered a concussion. What To Do If You Think You Have A Concussion? If you or someone you know has a suspected concussion, it is important to give them immediate medical attention so that more severe consequences of brain injuries can be ruled out. It is also important to stop play or work until you can receive medical attention, as another impact to the brain immediately following the first, can be detrimental. In certain cases, bleeds can develop in the brain, leading to much more severe problems.  This can be ruled out by a trained professional, and may require a head scan at the hospital. Typically it is recommended that immediately after a concussion, the person should rest, stop all screen use and lie down in a dark room.  While these things can be important, some light cardio activity can actually help with recovery. It is still important to stop any activity that could involve the risk of second impact, but light activity as tolerated is good to incorporate into a recovery program. It is important to see a qualified professional for specific advice, as each person and their experience with concussion will be unique.  Some are able to resume activities sooner, while others may need longer, depending on the severity of the impact. After seeing your family doctor, or a physician in an emergency room, a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist should be [...]

Your Content Goes Here In behaviour therapy at our office, we most commonly offer a 1:1 format (one child with one instructor). When appropriate (e.g. social skills focus), we may also offer a small group session (2 or more children with one instructor). Session Structure:  Sessions might be: Play-based and child-led, meaning we try to find what the child is interested in and imbed goals into play. Structured, where learning is often completed at the table (e.g. working on academic goals). Sessions may look like a mix of the two and will be individualized based on your child’s needs. Regardless of the format, our goal is to ensure your child feels safe, relaxed and happy throughout the session, where they want to participate. Areas we can work on: Language and communication: involves understanding using language and non-verbal cues. Examples of areas of focus: expanding vocal communication (requesting, labelling, conversation), picture exchange communication system (PECS), responding to instructions, visual performance (puzzles, sorting, etc.) Social behaviour and play: this includes skills necessary for participating in social situations, activities and interactions with others. Examples of areas of focus: turn taking, tolerating others’ choices, waiting (delayed gratification), interactive play, making friendships) Group Instruction: Involves sitting appropriately, attending to the teacher and others, following instructions, taking turns, raising hand, and learning new skills. School Readiness: The pre-requisite skills required to be successful in the school setting such as activities of daily living, following routines, and independent work. Activities of Daily Living: Involves completion of daily tasks and routines, such as getting dressed, toileting, tying shoes, brushing hair and teeth, etc. Decreasing challenging behaviour: involves decreasing behaviour that is harmful or unsafe to the client or others. For example, we will not target stimming unless it is harming the client/others. An example of behaviour we might target for decrease might include hitting others or insulting others. We will usually do this by teaching a new skill so the client doesn’t have the need to engage in harmful behaviour any longer. Diet Expansion: we may be able to help your child with expanding their repertoire of foods eaten (medical reasons needs to ruled out first). Self-Advocacy and Safety: including advocating for what one needs and wants, understanding social boundaries, internet safety, road safety, etc. At Pathways To Hope we have two Registered Behaviour Analysts and two Supervised Behaviour Therapists. All of our behavioural team practice from a trauma informed perspective and work to make sure that behavioural sessions are fun and engaging. For more information or to join our waitlist, contact us at 519.302.2300 or email pathwaystohopebrant@gmail.com.

Your Content Goes Here Why do we Need Sleep? Sleep helps us to restore not only our physical bodies but our brains as well. We need the right amount and quality of sleep for sleep to be effective. These sleep requirements are different for everyone. It is thought that good quality sleep means that that person’s body has spent enough time in each stage of sleep. Poor sleep may result in: Fatigue, Sleepiness, Poor concentration, Memory challenges, Mood changes such as irritability. All of the symptoms above often will result in poor mental health. Anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts can be affected by poor sleep. Symptoms of mental health challenges are often exacerbated too. Sleep Hygiene Start by recording the time you go to bed and how long it takes you to fall asleep and the time you wake up and get out of bed in a sleep journal. Be consistent with your schedule ie got bed and wake up at the same time each day Set a thirty minute limit to fall asleep and get up in the morning Establish a bed time routine Limit blue screen time before bed Use your bed for sleeping and sex only Monitor room temperature Limit light in your bedroom when sleeping Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed Exercise regularly Avoid napes during the day If you are struggling with your sleep, see your family doctor and consider reaching out to a mental health professional for support. Resources https://pa-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/NSF-Sleep-Diary.pdf https://www.anxietycanada.com/sites/default/files/SleepHygiene.pdf This content was provided by RSW Izzy Lewis. Izzy provides individual support to adults, for more information about Izzy, check out our team page https://brantmentalhealth.com/meet-our-team/

Your Content Goes Here As a Chiropractor, I see some of my patients struggling with sleep because they are in pain and cannot get comfortable at night.  Sometimes their pain also wakes them up at night. The body needs rest so that it can heal and stay focused during the day.  Lack of sleep can lead to brain fog, injuries at work, and poor mental health.  In this article we will discuss things you can do to ensure you get a good night's sleep. Check your pillow A good quality, supportive pillow can be one of the easiest and least expensive ways to increase the quality of your sleep. A pillow needs to be supportive for the neck, especially for those who sleep on their side.  If you sleep on your back, the pillow should be quite thin as a thicker pillow can cause the neck to flex at night, placing strain on the muscles and joints. Your pillow should be replaced at least every 1 - 2 years.  One of the best pillows for a good night's sleep is the Endy pillow.  It offers proper support as well as the ability to adjust the height of the pillow. Check your mattress A good mattress can also improve your sleep, however this option is much more expensive and not always necessary.  A mattress typically lasts 10 years or less. It can also be time to replace it if you notice obvious depressions in the mattress where you lie at night.  This is a sign that the mattress has lost its support and that it might be time for a new one. When shopping for a new mattress look for something that is firm but comfortable, this will offer your spine proper support while you sleep and help with any discomfort you might be experiencing in the morning or at night. Don't sleep on your stomach It is always best to sleep on either your side or back.  When you sleep on your stomach, your head has to turn to one side, placing tremendous strain on your neck.  It can also affect your low back, because when you sleep on your stomach, your low back has to extend slightly, placing pressure on the joints of your spine. A neutral spine position where your neck is inline with your spine is optimal for sleep.  This position does not place any pressure or strain on the structures of your spine.  Although this is ideal, changing sleep habits and positions can be quite difficult as our bodies have gotten used to poor sleep postures.  If this is the case, keep trying, your body should get used to it eventually. Side sleepers should use a pillow between the knees If you sleep on your side, it is important to avoid twisting your spine.  This can be avoided by placing a pillow between your knees and keeping them slightly bent in front of you.  A small pillow is all you need [...]

Your Content Goes Here Along with exercise, food and sleep are two of the most important things that can influence how our body functions on a day to day basis. When we deprive ourselves of good sleep or don’t fuel our body with good foods, we will soon feel the effects, along with setting our body up for future issues, aches and pains. How can we eat for a better sleep? Timing is everything Begin your day with healthy, nourishing foods that will fuel your body for the day to come. This will include moderate amounts of protein, healthy fats and a mix of colourful vegetables and fruit. Eat supper several hours before bed and refrain from eating too much after that. If you want something, a cup of herbal tea or a handful of nuts will set you up for a good night’s sleep. Blood Sugar Balance To go along side #1, eating protein, healthy fats and fibre throughout the day will help control blood sugar, which will promote a good night’s sleep and will help avoid waking up in the early morning hours. Is anxiety or worry causing you to wake up during the night or not allow you to get to sleep? Along with good sleep routines, what type of foods might be negatively affecting your sleep or what foods can be included in your diet to help alleviate stress, anxiety and worry? This may vary from person to person but avoiding sweets is a good place to start. When worrying about weight gain or health issues, poor sleep can have a major impact on this as well. So solving the issues you have with sleep through good nutrition can also help alleviate other issues as well. In conclusion: Good nutrition can lead to a good night’s sleep and a good night’s sleep can help you control blood sugar and cravings, which will help you to keep your nutrition on track. For more information about how working with a nutritionist can help you, contact our office at 519.751.0728 or email pathwaystohopebrant@gmail.com and set up a free consultation with Tammy!

Your Content Goes Here As our winter drags on, many Canadians are suffering with increased pain due to arthritis.  In fact, about 25% of people suffer from Arthritis, making it a large contributor to mobility and pain issues that we experience. The good news is that arthritis is something that can be managed, and in this article we will share strategies to manage this chronic condition. Exercise Exercise is the most effective way people can manage chronic pain due to arthritis.  When a joint or joints become arthritic they tend to stiffen and become inflamed when not in motion.  Our joints require motion to remain healthy and lubricated, so if your joints are worn out from arthritis, you are prone to problems if you remain sedentary. It is important to find the right exercise for your body and this depends on where the arthritis is.  Understanding this and choosing appropriate exercises is the key to long term management.  Usually light, low impact aerobic exercise is best.  Yoga, pilates and other low impact exercises like swimming or walking are also a great way to start.  If you are unsure, it is best to seek the advice of a trained professional who can guide you towards finding the best workouts for your specific needs. Nutrition.  The foods we eat either contribute to increasing inflammation in our bodies or contribute to decreasing inflammation in our bodies.  Since arthritis is an inflammatory condition, those with it should be consuming an anti-inflammatory diet if they want to reduce or avoid pain associated with arthritis. This can be done by avoiding fried and processed foods as well as sugars and certain carbohydrates like white bread.  Instead try to consume foods that would have been around 100+.  Meats, fruits, vegetables and dairy products are all a great place to start. If you think you could benefit from more guided advice on what to eat, consider booking a consultation with our holistic nutritionist.  Our nutritionist can help come up with a plan that will include creative recipes so that you are more likely to stay eating healthy long term. See a Chiropractor  It was mentioned earlier in the article that keeping your joints moving is the best thing for people with arthritis.  It is also the best way to avoid arthritis from developing in the first place.  This is exactly what chiropractic can help with.  A chiropractor's job is to help your joints and muscles function properly and stay functioning and moving properly long term.  This is necessary for everyone, as we all experience stresses, strains and injuries at some point in our life. Chiropractors can diagnose and treat arthritis with a variety of methods including spinal adjustments, muscle release work and exercise prescription.  They can guide you towards better health and keep you mobile so that you can enjoy life and all it has to offer. For more information about chiropractic care or to book a free consultation call us at 519.751.0728 [...]