Your Content Goes Here A growing number of families are choosing to homeschool their children for a range of reasons. Some families choose this option due to their child having special needs, others make the decision so that they can enjoy more time as a family and focus more on their child’s academic and personal strengths. Whatever your reason for choosing this avenue for your child’s education, it can present unique challenges within the family unit. Some families will follow the school year and others will school year round, taking breaks when it suits them as a family, but for those families like ours  who follow the school year, we are gearing up to begin in September after enjoying a relaxing summer break. Whether you home school, un-school or are de-schooling here are some tips for you and your family: If this is your first year homeschooling, or you have been doing it for years, you may struggle with the following:       The socialization question: Many families who homeschool will face questions from family, friends and even strangers with regards to how their children learn social skills being educated at home. This can be an upsetting question to hear depending on how it is approached. Parents, generally speaking, want the best for their children and have already taken this into consideration. The home school community is growing and there are many groups, pods and activities for children to enjoy healthy socialization.  If someone asks you about this aspect, try not to get defensive, be confident in the decision you have made as a family and understand that not everyone is going to understand or support the choices you are making for your family. You know your child better than anyone else and not everyone is going to understand all the reasons behind choosing to educate your child yourself.       Carving out time for yourself and being gentle with yourself: This is made even more challenging if you are homeschooling a child with special needs. It can feel overwhelming to balance educating your child, managing the responsibilities at home, maybe working outside of the home and finding space in your home that is separate for schooling. Some advice would be: - Make sure to surround yourself with positive people who can uplift you on this journey, - Connect with other home school families to learn from them, especially families who have been doing this for longer, - Remember the goal is not to replicate school, homeschooling is unique and can be tailored to your family, if you choose to take time during the week where you aren’t “formally” schooling and spend time enjoying the outdoors or planning fun learning experiences, it can give the whole family a mental break. - Try to take some of the pressure off of yourself. Whilst homeschooling is a big responsibility and your child’s education is extremely important, remember the reasons why you made this choice and [...]

Your Content Goes Here As summer draws to a close, back-to-school preparations are underway for students and families.  The excitement of new paper and pencils and supplies means September is just around the corner for children and parents. For many parents, this back-to-school excitement is tempered with uncertainty for how the school year will unfold for their child.   For families of a student that requires additional service(s) in a school setting, being prepared for the upcoming school year involves more than just new supplies and a new outfit.   Here are some tips for you as you prepare for this new school year: 1.    Communication: Communication with the school before the year begins is critical to know what will be in place, for both the student and the family. If this is ongoing programming from the previous school year, confirm that is happening, and the staff assigned. If the student is new to the school or school system, contact the school before September to share information, either digitally or in person. Establishing and maintaining communication is central to any student’s success, but critical for a student with additional requirements. 2.    Keep records: When a student requires additional services, there is a ‘paper trail’ that develops depending on the complexity of the requirements. Keeping these documents organized will help parents stay organized, so get yourself a three ring binder and a hole punch in the school supplies along with some tabs. Keep any copies (always keep original copies) in the binder for easy access in discussions or meetings with staff. There may be other agencies involved, but do not assume everyone has copies of relevant documents. Some cases may require additional staff and resources, so an updated photo in the file is always a reminder of who is the focus. 3.    Do your research: A student with additional requirements in a school setting usually falls under the category of Special Education. School Boards are required to post their Special Education Plan on their website for public access.  These are very informative documents, and parents and students should familiarize themselves with the sections that pertain to their family dynamics. For more reading on this, parents can access the Special Education section of the Education Act. Research indicates improved outcomes when parents (and youth) are actively involved and knowledgeable of their requirements. No one knows the child better, or is in a better position to advocate for them. Establish clear communication with the school, with scheduled check-ins to monitor progress and avoid potential pitfalls. Be prepared with notes and questions for any meetings, and be in agreement on the course of action to follow.   Final thoughts: There may be times when agreement is challenging, and communication breaks down. These situations should be remediated as soon as possible, either through more formal discussions with the school/board, or through using an advocate for the student and family. This advocate can be a family friend or a professional service, [...]

Your Content Goes Here If you have an autistic child starting school in the fall, here are some tips to promote a smooth transition. Practice needed skills: Packing and unpacking lunch/opening and closing containers Zipping and unzipping backpack coat on and off (try the “flip trick” for those little arms!) For more information about the "Flip Trick" see here https://sjlittle.ca/preschool/coat-flip-trick/ Shoes on and off Morning routine (get ready, eat breakfast, brush teeth, shoes on, out the door) 2. Talk about it often! Prime your child for school by talking about: What school might be like (e.g. teachers, kids, classroom, what they will learn, etc.) The order of events on school days (e.g. get ready, eat breakfast, go to school, say bye to parents, day at school, pick-up).   Any anxiety your child might have Extra tip: Consider using a visual schedule or social story to talk about what will happen. 3. Act out tricky or new scenarios saying goodbye to mommy and daddy circle time and other school-type activities (consider joining a structured play group to create opportunity for further practice!) tricky situations with peers 4. Arrange a time for your child to meet educators and tour the school 5. Create an "All About Me" page Write out your child’s strengths and weaknesses, sensory issues, dietary restrictions, preferences. Let your child’s educators know what is unique about your child. This will go a long way as they get to know him/her! 6. Remember to reinforce Encourage your child's attempts at trying new skills and tricky scenarios Instead of pointing out what they aren’t doing, focus on praising/rewarding any positive behaviour you see! This information was provided by Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) Alisa Gagne. For more information about our behavioural therapy team call us at 519.751.0728 or email pathwaystohopebrant@gmail.com

Your Content Goes Here Infidelity can feel like a lightning bolt. It's as if a tornado has blown away all of the wonderful emotions in the relationship, leaving you feeling empty. You struggle to recognize your substantial contributions to the relationship, the sacrifices you made for the family, and the ensuing anguish, sadness, and betrayal. Your emotional roller coaster is flying back in time to find the missing component of the relationship. You begin to blame yourself for letting it happen. You begin to examine your own flaws as the source of the infidelity. Your self-worth is being questioned. This bucket of negative underlying emotions causes you to develop a negative thought pattern. However, if you have decided to reconcile with your spouse in order to explore new positive directions in your relationship, this is completely fine. When healing and deciding to reconcile with your spouse, the following points can be helpful; Acceptance and forgiveness:  Give yourself time to analyze your feelings and thoughts. Do not rush to accept, only to reconcile. Yes, acceptance is an important step, but you must focus on how you feel in order to accept the situation. Acceptance comes with the responsibility to forgive. Forgiving your partner for infidelity is essential for accepting the circumstances and preparing to move forward. Forgiveness can be painful, but it will help you heal. Forgiving a betrayal may feel like crushing your feelings, but it is a necessary component of the healing process. Forgiveness will help you empathize with your partner. It will provide you with an open platform to better comprehend how your partner is feeling. It will be beneficial to have the opportunity while working on rebuilding trust. Forgiving your partner is not a momentary decision; you must choose forgiveness every time an infidelity-related thought appears to you. To help oneself heal, you must create a secure and supportive environment. Resentment is difficult and hurtful; remember that you are choosing to forgive to heal, not only to reconcile with your partner. Communication: Communication is key. It is critical to express your expectations to your partner so that they can help you during the healing process. You may have many inquiries concerning the affair. When discussing the affair with your spouse, talk about establishing boundaries. Ask your partner about the details of the affair, including your intentions and emotions. While you're doing so, remember to ask your partner whether it's a suitable time to talk. Your partner is equally distraught over the cheating incident. Respect your partner's boundaries, and seek their approval or permission to talk about the affair. Avoid getting involved in the process of gathering information about the affair. Instead of surrendering to the negative cycle, focus on gathering details to aid in recovery. Remember that more detailed information about the affair may harm you and create triggers in the future. Maintain an open communication environment in your relationship, allowing your spouse to freely choose whether to offer in-depth details while [...]

Your Content Goes Here In 2021 we were really happy to be able to introduce equine assisted programs off-site at two farms in Brantford, this was started through our sister company Brant Mental Health Solutions.  Whilst in office, traditional counselling is something most people opt for, it was important for us to make sure we provide therapeutic experiences for those who don’t feel “traditional” therapy is the right fit for them. We get asked a lot of questions about these programs, so we felt it would be helpful to break down the different equine assisted options and explain a bit about the two therapists who offer them. Who does equine assisted therapy benefit?Whilst anyone who enjoys being outside and around animals and nature can benefit from these programs, we have seen great responses from the following types of people:1. Children and adults with ADHD, Autism or other learning/developmental concerns,2. Children and adults suffering from PTSD/CPTSD (including first responders and veterans),3. People who find in office therapy overwhelming/intimidating,4. People who have found it hard to connect to a therapist in a clinical setting. Registered Psychotherapist Robin Oldroyd: Robin is one of the therapists on our team who offers Equine Assisted Therapy with her barn partners Bernie and Brenda. The three of them sat down with a videographer last year to explain more about the program they run with Brant Mental Health Solutions, you can find the video here https://fb.watch/aZ11HYQkji/ Robin works with people of all ages and her many years of experience as a therapist, combined with her love of horses, makes this a unique experience for her clients. Registered Social Worker Danielle Vanderpost: Danielle has 6 years of experience in the Social Services sector where she has worked with individuals of all ages. She has a passion for helping people heal and become their best possible self. Registered Social Worker Abigail Wragge: Abigail has over eight years of experience dedicated to helping individuals and families improve health outcomes and connection to the community. Abigail has worked with horses for over fifteen years, and recognizes how important these animals can be for personal healing and comfort. There is a unique and powerful non-verbal communication that occurs between horses and humans that can support the journey to improved well-being and personal development goals. This is the foundation of Equine Assisted Learning, which is a therapeutic approach used to encourage individuals to gain insight into themselves, their relationships and behavioural patterns by participating in safe interactions with horses. As a facilitator, Abigail guides these interactions with the horses to assist individuals in their growth of relational skills, emotional awareness, adaptability and confidence. Is equine assisted therapy covered by my benefits? If you have coverage for a Registered Psychotherapist, sessions with Robin would be covered. If you have coverage for social work, Abigail and Danielle would be covered. Both Robin and Danielle also work with NIHB. Be sure to call your insurance company if you are wanting to use benefits so [...]

Your Content Goes Here Now that summer is in full swing, people are outside more enjoying the activities they love. Our summers are short, so people want to get the most out of the nice weather. However, sometimes our summers can be interrupted by unexpected injuries or painful episodes that interfere with what we want to do outside. In order to reduce the risk of this happening, this article will provide three practical tips that help reduce the chance of pain and injury. Injuries and pain occur when our bodies are not prepared for the activity at hand. Pain usually settles in after performing an activity we don't do throughout the year. One of the most common injuries I see in practice is to the low back after gardening.  Because we don't garden all year, our bodies are not used to the constant bending and lifting involved with this task.  Putting our joints and muscles through this kind of activity can result in injury or simply cause a lot of soreness and discomfort after the task is complete. Here's how to reduce the chance of this happening: Stretch and move often At the very least we should be stretching before doing something our bodies are not used to.  This limbers up the muscles and draws blood flow to the area you are stretching.  Keeping the muscles loose helps them to their job and reduces strain on them during activities.  A brief warm up before can go a long way in preventing injuries. If you are planning to garden, gently stretch the low back by bending over to touch your toes, arching backwards with your hands on your hips and rotating side to side.  Each position can be held for 15 - 30 seconds and repeated a few times.  It does not have to be a complex stretching routine, there are simple warm ups for every kind of activity. Although stretching before doing activities is useful, ideally we would be stretching and exercising on a regular basis.  Those who do have much fewer injuries and when they do get injured, they recover faster.  Again, this does not have to be a complex exercise routine, but I always encourage people to find an exercise routine that they enjoy so that they can stick with it. 20 minutes of yoga, or 30 minutes of brisk walking each day can provide a huge benefit to your body, not only for injury prevention but also for our overall physical and mental health. See a chiropractor regularly There are many things we can do to prevent injuries like exercising and stretching on a regular basis, but in order to have the best chance at reducing injuries, you should see a chiropractor to get your joints and muscles assessed.  They will be able to check each area, including your hips, knees and shoulders etc, to make sure your joints and muscles are in good shape for activities. As a Functional Range Release practitioner [...]

Your Content Goes Here When autistic children experience meltdowns, it can often seem like it came out of nowhere. Many meltdowns will last for quite some time and they can be incredibly overwhelming, both for the caregiver and the child. Whilst everyone can find themselves feeling overwhelmed by events occurring around them and can occasionally respond by lashing out at others, isolating themselves or reacting in an emotional way, those with autism will experience meltdowns due to an involuntary response to a nervous system overload (Autism Research Institute, 2023). It is important to note that for those with autism, a meltdown is not a tantrum. A tantrum is where behaviour occurs for reasons such as not getting access to a toy or activity whereas meltdowns occur due to an overwhelming increase in stimuli. An individual experiencing a meltdown may express themselves verbally, through stimming or; repetitive movements, or by physically by acting out behaviours towards themselves or others. What can we do to help when our child is experiencing a meltdown? Recognizing antecedents (anything that happens prior to the meltdowns); can help navigate around the anticipation of meltdowns. Working with your child on labeling their emotions when they are experiencing tough feelings and teaching calming strategies can help! Teaching your child ways to soothe themselves before a meltdown occurs helps your child recognize their emotions and learn a way to express their big emotions. Remember, having a meltdown is okay. Your child is experiencing a lot of emotions and cannot communicate as they would when they are calm. We have already defined what a meltdown is, now what are the reasons behind them? Other than overwhelming stimuli, meltdowns can occur when there are; Communication difficulties Unmet needs Routine Changes Anxiety These are just a few triggers that may result in your child experiencing a meltdown, and this list is not meant to be exhaustive. As a caregiver, you will know there are many other reasons that can trigger this type of response. Recognizing the triggers is crucial as it can help you better prepare and support your child when they experience one. Once we know the triggers, it is much easier to expect what’s to come. There may be times where meltdowns may be unavoidable. How can we best support our child through it? This begins with recognizing any precursor behaviours, behaviours that tend to occur right before the more severe behaviour. This can look very different and can come out in the form of anxiety, as discussed above, where your child may repeatedly ask about something, they may pace back and forth, or their vocals may change. Tracking it on your phone or calendar with what is happening before the meltdown will help recognize any patterns which can help support your child. Some children may scream, cry, yell, or some may also engage in physical behaviours such as self-injurious behaviours, property destruction, biting, kicking, and more (Autism Research Institute, 2023). If your child is [...]

Your Content Goes Here One common characteristic of autism is a preference for “sameness”. For an autistic child, this might look like a preference for routine or specific ways of doing activities or routines. Examples of preferences for sameness could include: Being resistant to new activities, places, or ways of doing things Wanting to drive a specific route to school or other places Wanting to watch a specific video clip repetitively Playing with toys in a ritualistic way (same toys, same order) Routines and sameness can be soothing to an autistic child, relieving anxiety and helping them feel safe when they know what to expect. However, sometimes you’ll need to encourage your child to try something new and encourage flexibility in order to set them up for success. Here are some ways to do that! 1. Try to incorporate your child’s strengths and interests. For example, if your child enjoys music, turn on music while they try the new thing! 2. Talk to your child about it when something unexpected will happen (e.g. an event). This way they will have an opportunity to process the change and any potential anxieties can be addressed. 3. Help your child choose a calming strategy for when they feel upset about something happening differently than expected. Examples: taking a deep breath, self-talk “I am okay/I can do this”, snuggling a favourite stuffy or blanket, etc. 4. Set up “practices” with your child. Think about various situations where something unexpected might happen and practice these, using the calming strategy. 5. Use positive reinforcement: if your child tries something new or is flexible with a routine, encourage/praise your child’s efforts! You can even provide access to a special toy or activity. These tips come from Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, Alisa Gagne. For more information about how Alisa can help you and your family, call us at 519.751.0728.

Your Content Goes Here The sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming, The rain is dripping, and butterflies are dancing, Birds are chirping and children are hopping, Summer is nearing, and couples are asking... How do we stay connected?! Summer is here! So are our children! They will be home and want to have a good time. To ensure that they have a good time, you may have planned exciting activities, healthy meals and snacks, travel plans, packing for trips etc. Did you take a moment to check in with yourself and your partner? Did you discuss your emotions and expectations with your partner during the summer? Take a minute to sit with your thoughts, process your emotions, and express them with your spouse/partner. This summer, it is equally crucial to look after your romantic relationship. Why do we need to be within reach? Kids are home, time moves quickly, and we feel exhausted at the end of the day. When can we spend time together? Yes, it is difficult to find a moment, but it is also essential to share that moment with your partner. A few minutes spent with your partner can brighten your day and make you smile. Taking a moment to share your thoughts and emotions will aid you in working towards better communication while you're both busy with your own life and children. Spending quality time together will help to foster romance and intimacy. What can we do to stay within reach? First and foremost, be comfortable with your emotions. Process and acknowledge your emotions. For example, ask yourself: "How are you feeling?" If the response is "tired," Sit down for a moment, acknowledge, and process your emotions. Discuss your feelings with your partner. Seek help from your partner if necessary. What do you anticipate from your partner? Take time to talk about it together. Be a listening ear for your partner and validate their emotions. Understand and endeavor to meet their expectations about staying connected. When your partner expresses their emotions, try to provide empathy. Some tips to stay connected: Quality time against screen time:  Do you use your phone or computer to browse, scroll, or watch TV when your children are resting or playing alone? Take a moment. Choose Carefully!!! If your partner is accessible, take advantage of this opportunity to spend time together. Frequent check-ins: Maintain frequent check-ins with your partner. Ask your partner how they are feeling. If one of you is gardening while the other is cooking, take a moment to talk in between. Plan and initiate your moment with each other. Date nights: Who doesn't want a date night?! Date nights are a special way to validate your partner's efforts. Plan a date night where the two of you engage in the same recreational activity, either inside or outside of your home. Look for the beach:  Summer is the ideal season to choose a beach or a trail for a short walk. It will allow you to breathe fresh air alongside your partner. Take a vacation: Plan a vacation away [...]

Your Content Goes Here As our children become adults and venture out into the world, carving their own path, it can be challenging for us as parents to understand how best to support them and how to continue to grow and nurture the relationship. Many of us struggle with the change in the relationship and knowing when we are and aren’t needed. Sometimes it is easier to parent a young child as most of our parenting is based on basic human needs, for example, providing shelter, food, emotional support, but the complexities of forming a relationship between a parent and their adult child can come with a wide range of emotions from both sides. In this blog we will share a few brief pointers to help those of you who are trying to navigate connecting with your adult child(ren). 1.    Connection is a lifelong endeavour: It is important to know we never truly arrive at a specific “destination” when it comes to connection with our child(ren) as they enter into adulthood. It is helpful to remain curious and compassionate observers and supporters in our children’s lives. 2.    Advice might not always be welcomed or warranted: Asking what they have learned, what they think and what they want to share is a way of learning. Remembering to respect our collective wisdom without placing ourselves in a position of being the “expert” over their lives is also important. 3.    Learn from your adult children: Let your adult children be your teacher, you might be amazed by what you learn! 4.    Understand and learn from your own childhood: “Contrary to what many people believe, your early experiences do not determine your fate. If you had a difficult childhood but have come to make sense of those experiences, you are not bound to recreate the same negative interactions with your own children.” Siegel and Hartzell (2003). 5.    Take care of yourself: Taking care of yourself encompasses physical, mental and spiritual care (whatever that looks like for each of us.) When we do this, we work towards being the best version of ourselves, which in turn helps us to take care of our relationships. 6.    Be humble and reflect on yourself: Adult children can continue to thrive when we remain humble and are able to apologize when we make a mistake or overstep. We are all fallible humans and need our children (whatever age) to see us as this to create a close and lasting connection. 7.    Avoid comparisons: It can be easy to look at our adult children and compare where we were in life at their age. Whilst it’s ok to have hopes and dreams for your adult children, it is important to remember they are on their own path and have their own goals, priorities and timeline, which is based on many factors. Reminding them that by their age you had achieved x, y, z will only create tension and distance in your relationship. If you are [...]