News and Events
Happy Family Online Conference - Free
The Happy Family Annual Conference shares the heart and science of parenting. This year's themes include:
Mindfulness & Parenting
Anxiety, Triggers & Trauma
Inner Work of Parenting & Partnering
School, Screens & Social Skills
Protective Conversations: Gender, Racism & Self-Harm
November 10-14
FREE Online Conference
Life On The Spectrum by Autism Speaks Canada
“Life on The Spectrum by Autism Speaks Canada” is a 20 minute documentary sharing lived experiences of autistic Canadians and their families, from coast to coast to coast, to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism.
Parenting Neurodivergent Kids
Every child’s brain works differently. A scratchy t-shirt tag or excited squeals at a birthday party might be no big deal for one kid… and cue a *total* meltdown for another. What’s going on for kids who feel extra sensitive to sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or textures? And what can parents do? Dr. Becky talks to Laura Petix - a pediatric occupational therapist and mom to a sensory sensitive 4 year old herself - to answer these questions and more. They talk all about parenting neurodivergent kids, whose brains process the world in unique ways, and offer practical strategies to support their needs. This podcast provides a deeper understanding of how sensory systems shape behavior and why it’s so important to believe what our kids perceive.
October 10th is World Mental Health Day
Protecting our mental health is easier than you might think. We can all do it every day, and with simple activities that help us feel OK, we’re better able to cope with life.
It’s like brushing your teeth daily – important in preventing problems. It’s the same for our mental health. It can also be fun!
Check out the Mental Health Foundation Tips for Mental Health backed by research.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid - Standard (Virtual) is an interactive 9-hour training course that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, increases understanding of their impact, and provides tools to help people in crisis. This course is certified by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and taught by Mental Health First Aid Master Facilitator, Carla Abichahine.
September 12 & 13, 2022 @ 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM PDT
FREE 2-Day Zoom Course
Tip Toe Walking
Toe walking can lead to falling, and may be symptomatic of vestibular issues and developmental delays. First, consult with a doctor to identify the underlying causes. Then follow up with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to develop appropriate games and exercises that encourage heel to toe walking, improve balance and coordination, and provide vestibular stimulation to help reduce or eliminate toe walking.
For some toe-walkers, the vestibular system may not be giving the brain accurate information on body position and movement. Or, sensory processing disorder can make a child oversensitive to touch. These kids rise up on their toes to avoid uncomfortable surfaces or discomfort from the sensation of weight against their heels. They may also avoid socks, shoes and even bare feet.
Consequently, toe walking can lead to pain in ankles, knees or hips; difficulty with squatting or climbing stairs; and decreased hip or core strength due to postural alignment issues.
Activities to Reduce Toe Walking
Extend Range of Motion
With the child sitting or lying back, grab one foot in your hand (knee straight) and stretch the Achilles heel cord; hold for 1 minute
Stand or walk up a wedge/incline
Strengthen Muscles
Pick up a washcloth or marbles with toes
Balance a sock or beanbag on the foot
Sit on a scooterboard and move the scooter across the floor using bare feet.
Walk up a slide
Hold a chair pose against the wall
Animal Activities
Walk like a crab or bear with all fours on the ground
Walk like a penguin, heels down and toes up
Do leapfrog, jumping, hopping, or squatting across the floor
Improve Balance
Balance on a wobble board or Bosu ball
Walk across a balance beam, balance stones or floor spots
Increase Sensory Exposure
Encourage barefoot walking in the grass and sand; for indoors, try setting up an obstacle course with blankets of different textures
Make art using the feet with paint and paper
Use joint compression or vibration to wake up the ankles
Wear scuba flippers to walk heel to toe
March and stomp to make the entire foot have contact with the ground
The Nervous System & Self-Regulation: Maintaining Relationship with Yourself in Times of Tragedy
June 6, 2022 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT
FREE Live Webinar
It’s Never Too Late: Healing Parent-Child Relational Stress Using Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
May 2, 2022 @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM PDT
FREE Live Event
Live Online: Your Complex Child's Neurobiology
Join ParentDashboard Host Michelle Boshard & world-renowned clinician, author & speaker Kim Barthel to discuss complex children's brains.
May 2, 2022 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT
FREE Live Webinar
The First 5 Years
The early years of child development is essential in fostering healthy brain development. The essentials of development include:
Communication
Gross Motor
Fine Motor
Problem Solving
Social Emotional
Occupational therapists look at all aspects of these 5 essentials of development. Together with families, we identify functional goals that will help foster these essentials so that the child can develop a healthy and meaningful life.
The Infant Mental Health Promotion takes recent research and translates them into practical guides and resources to help caregivers to better understand what to expect and what they can do everyday to support a child's development.
Child & Youth Mental Health Toolkits
Collaborative Mental Health Care uses the “FLOWER” is an illustration of the varied and complex areas included in child and youth mental health. One in five children suffers from at least one mental health disorder, and comorbidity (more than one) is the rule rather than the exception. This analogy is a great way to emphasize the various layers to a child's presentation, which could be be related to behaviour, sensory, mental health, diagnosis, or a combination of any of the contributing factors.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Fast Facts
For more information - visit Autism Canada.
ADHD Webinar Series for Parents & Caregivers
This free ADHD Webinar Series (Jan-Mar 2021) is brought to you in collaboration with the BC Children's Hospital Provincial ADHD Program.
Practical Self-Regulation Tools for Children with ADHD
ADHD Basics
ADHD Treatment in Children & Youth
Parenting a Child with ADHD
ADHD Goes to School
Wandering Prevention Resources
A 2012 study confirmed what many parents know well: Wandering by children with autism is common, dangerous and puts tremendous stress on families. Child safety is of the utmost concern to every parent. Autism Speaks had compiled list of safety tips, tools and resources to prevent wandering.
Here are 6 Tips to Help Prevent Wandering and Wandering-Related Tragedies
Secure Your Home
Consider a Tracking Device
Consider an ID Bracelet
Teach Your Child to Swim
Alert Your Neighbors
Alert First Responders
Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders
Everyone has unwanted or unplanned thoughts at times. We may wander if the food has gone bad or think "maybe I'll jump off this bridge". Lots of people also have particular ways in which they like to do things or feel things need to be done (routines, superstitious habits). But people with OCD often experience their obsessions and compulsions as very distressing. They struggle to move on from their thoughts, behaviours, and experiences, and they have trouble enjoying life as a result.
In this collection developed by the Kelty Centre, you will find a list of recommended resources for parents/caregivers to learn more about OCD including websites, online tools, guides, books and provincial support services. This list was developed in partnership with professionals from the BC Children's Mental Health Program, and is intended to be a starting point to learn about OCD.
Internet Safety: Play it Safe
Individuals on the Autism Spectrum can face many challenges with social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication or repetitive behaviors. This is why many find comfort in using the Internet as a means for social communication and access to information. However, studies show that those with ASD are more susceptible to threats like cyberbullying, scams, and internet addiction.
This guide includes:
Helpful Information on the Risks Associated with Internet Use and ASD
Detailed Infographic with Internet Safety Tips
Online Security Resources for Families