Autism Acceptance Month: Shining a Light on the True Cost of Neglect

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Autism Acceptance Month: Shining a Light on the True Cost of Neglect

April is Autism Awareness Acceptance Month. It’s a month where organizations and individuals try to raise the profile of autism, highlighting the successes of many incredible people. With 1 in 29 children in British Columbia having been formally diagnosed with autism, chances are you know an autistic individual.

While there’s lots of talk about autism acceptance, sadly governments and employers have taken little action to truly support these individuals so they can lead their best lives.

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5 Ways to Encourage Self-Advocacy in Kids

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5 Ways to Encourage Self-Advocacy in Kids

When children are young, as parents and caregivers we tend to be their voice. But as our kids grow and have opinions of their own, we make the shift from being their voice to their megaphone to their cheerleader.

What this shift looks like and when it happens depends on the individual. What is important is we encourage self-advocacy in kids, regardless of their ability. This is not only an important life skill, but also essential to having personal safety and fulfillment.

 

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Volunteer With Passion, Not Obligation, to Make a Difference

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Volunteer With Passion, Not Obligation, to Make a Difference

As a responsible member of the community, there’s no getting around volunteering out of obligation. But when looking at how you spend the majority of your volunteer hours, and where you want to make a true difference, you need to ensure you’re volunteering with passion not obligation.

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Why Advocacy is Critical to Supporting Kids with Disabilities

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Why Advocacy is Critical to Supporting Kids with Disabilities

I really wish I didn’t have to write this article. I wish that kids with disabilities and complex needs would get the support they require to not just survive but thrive. I wish they had the education, learning supports, therapy and career counselling needed to help them live their best lives.  

Sadly, this isn’t the case and is the reason why advocacy is critical to supporting kids with disabilities.

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4 Ways to Move from Judgement to Curiosity

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4 Ways to Move from Judgement to Curiosity

Focusing on a child’s behaviour does nothing to help the situation. Rather, it allows biases, judgement and assumptions to take root and cloud what’s really happening.

Being curious about the behaviour versus judging the behaviour is the best way to support any child.

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Why Being a Truly Inclusive School Shouldn’t Be Scary

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Why Being a Truly Inclusive School Shouldn’t Be Scary

Despite all the talk about diversity and inclusion in classrooms, many schools and families still struggle with what this actually means and why it matters. Just having a child with disabilities or complex needs in a classroom isn’t enough. They need to be seen as a valued member of the school community.

Too often the conversation focuses on the challenges versus gifts these students bring to the classroom.

How can any kid be successful with this approach?

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Why We Need to Include Neurodiversity in the Diversity Conversation

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Why We Need to Include Neurodiversity in the Diversity Conversation

We need to include neurodiversity in the diversity conversation. Approximately 15 to 20% of the world’s population exhibits some form of neurodivergence. This includes individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mental health conditions, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Tourette syndrome and more.

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Why Will Smith Has it Wrong, Violence ≠ Advocacy

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Why Will Smith Has it Wrong, Violence ≠ Advocacy

Like millions of people around the world, I gasped when Will Smith got on the stage during the Academy Awards and slapped Chris Rock across the face. This after Chris Rock made fun of Jada Pinkett Smith’s medical condition - alopecia.

But reacting with violence does not equal advocacy. Rather, it distracts from the real conversation - understanding and accepting a medical condition or disability.

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Strengthen Your Parenting Skills by Asking for Help

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Strengthen Your Parenting Skills by Asking for Help

There’s a reason why the saying it takes a village to raise a child has been around for generations. As parents, we need all the help we can get. Don’t let Instagram perfect images deter you from reaching out and asking for help.

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Why Saying Change Takes Time Harms Kids

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Why Saying Change Takes Time Harms Kids

As a mom of a child with autism, and an advocate, the saying “Change Takes Time” is one I hear way too often. Honestly, it’s a cop out for not doing the hard work needed today instead of sloughing it off for tomorrow.

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