Special needs Archives - Kindercare Pediatrics

Early Speech and Language Intervention For Preschoolers – My Personal Perspective

Kindercare Operations — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:12:13 +0000

This morning, I had the privilege to attend, along with my son Noah, an important event hosted by Surrey Place and attended by The Honourable Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Ontario’s Children and Youth Services. During the ceremony, Minister MacCharles announced an additional 6.9 million dollars to support preschool speech and language services in Ontario.

Nearly 6 year old Noah struggled with acquiring communication skills in his first 3 years of life and our family benefited substantially from the preschool speech and language services delivered through this Ontario initiative. It was in this context that he and I were invited to take part in the ceremony.

I was asked to say a few words as part of the event and I thought it might be worthwhile sharing my speech as a means to raise awareness of the importance of funded services like the Ontario Preschool Speech and Language Programs; just last year, 58,000 children received much-needed speach/language services thanks to this initiative.

And here is the speech:

Good morning everyone. Thank you all so kindly for allowing me this opportunity to speak with you this morning.

I am here today in a triple role: as a father, as a pediatrician, and on behalf of my wife, Dana, a speech and language therapist who, incidentally, works for Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services. I would also like to introduce you to my lovely son, Noah, who, as you will soon learn, had a challenging first few years learning to communicate.

Noah was born 6 years ago. At around 6-to-9 months of age our feelings about his quiet and unassuming personality evolved from “wow we sure are lucky to have such a calm and quiet baby” to “Oh My God!! Why isn’t he talking like the rest of his peers”. By about a 1.5 years of age, we learned that Noah had a motor speech problem – meaning that he had a good understanding of language and a desire to express himself, but he couldn’t coordinate the muscles of his mouth and vocal cords to actually produce words and string together sentences.

There is another thing about Noah that is important for me to mention. Noah is the kind of child who will not even try a task until he has convinced himself that he has mastered the requisite skills. Call it a confidence thing, a perfectionism, but until he convinces himself that he can do something well, there’s no chance he’s going to try.

So as you can imagine, we had this 18 month old boy with a motor speech problem and a complete unwillingness to even try speaking because he convinced himself that he couldn’t do it. Let me tell you, this was a very quiet young boy.

Enter Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services with early intervention for Noah. His therapy was the most amazing process of Noah acquiring tangible skills, developing confidence as a communicator, and empowering his parents to collaborate with his therapist to carry on his ‘therapy’ between and beyond his formal sessions.

After 2 years of services, Dana and I were so very proud of Noah’s success … and I continue to beam with pride to this very day when I say to anyone who is willing to listen that “this boy never shuts up!” Noah entered the school system last year feeling confident and competent as a communicator. On behalf of Dana, Noah, and myself, I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the wonderful service that Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services has provided for our family. It means the world to us!

The post Early Speech and Language Intervention For Preschoolers – My Personal Perspective appeared first on Kindercare Pediatrics.

We Invite You to Learn About World Autism Awareness Day

Kindercare Operations — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:37:26 +0000

World Autism Awareness Day

In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. Around the world, activities on this day aim to increase and develop world awareness and knowledge about this common condition. One of the most notable activities, spearheaded by the advocacy group, Autism Speaks, is called Light It Up Blue. On April 2nd, iconic landmarks around the world are illuminated with blue light to raise awareness. Sites include the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Empire State Building in New York, and the CN Tower in Toronto. Autism Spectrum Disorder is common and affects up to 1 in 88 children. Early identification and intervention are important . You can learn about early warning signs at www.autismspeaks.ca.

This post was authored by Dr. Cynthia Goldfarb who is a developmental paediatrician at Kindercare Pediatrics and ISAND.

The post We Invite You to Learn About World Autism Awareness Day appeared first on Kindercare Pediatrics.

Toronto Services For Children With Special Needs

Kindercare Operations — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:51:42 +0000

Below is a list of resources that are available to families of children with special needs

You can obtain the original .pdf of this document by clicking here.

Prepared by Theo Lax, Special Needs Resource Coordinator

Child Development Institute. 2014

For assistance in connecting families to the appropriate services contact: 211 www.211.Toronto.ca

Some of the resources listed only provide services to a specific catchment area. This has been noted wherever possible. See below:

Etobicoke = E
Scarborough = S
East York = EY
Toronto = T
North York = NY
York = Y

RESOURCES AT A GLANCE

This mini-directory is intended to be a quick reference to assist you. To access more information on services, please contact www.211.Toronto.ca

AUTISM

Asperger’s Society of Ontario (416) 651-4037

(www.aspergers.ca)

Autism Ontario (416) 246-9592

(www.autismontario.com)

Toronto Chapter 1-866-925-9969

Geneva Centre for Autism (416) 322-7877

(www.autism.net)

Surrey Place Centre (416) 925-5141

School Support Program

Toronto Partnership for Autism Services

Toronto Autism ABA Services

(www.surreyplace.on.ca)

CHI LDREN ’S MEN T A L HEA LT H -ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

Adventure Place Child and Family Centre (NY) (416) 744-7650

(www.adventureplace.ca)

Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre (EY, S) (416) 321-5464 (www.aislingdiscoveries.on.ca)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (416) 535-8501

Child, Youth & Family Program

The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) Ext.6208

Better Behaviours Service Ext.4366

Dinosaur Social Skills Program Ext.4366

Incredible Years Program Ext.4371

Mood and Anxiety Disorders Service Ext.4366

Psychiatric Consultation Service Ext.4366

(www.camh.ca)

Child Development Institute (EY, T) (416) 603-1827

(www.childdevelop.ca)

The Etobicoke Children’s Centre (E) (416) 240-1111

(www.etobicokechildren.com)

The George Hull Centre for Children and Families (E) (416) 622-8833

(www.georgehullcentre.on.ca)

Hincks-Dellcrest Centre (T) Ext.2 (416) 924-1164

(www.hincksdellcrest.org)

LAMP Community Health Centre (E) (416) 252-6471

(www.lampchc.org)

Yorktown Child & Family Centre (Y) (416) 394-2424

(www.yorktownfamilyservices.com)

CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES

Boost-Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention (416) 515-1100

(www.boostforkids.org)

Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (416) 395-1500

(www.torontoccas.org)

Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (416) 924-4646

(www.torontocas.ca)

Jewish Family and Child (416) 638-7800

(www.jfandcs.com)

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (416) 969-8510

(www.nativechild.org)

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Ontario Early Years Centres 1-866-821-7770

(www.ontarioearlyyears.ca)

Toronto Public Library (416) 393-7131

(www.torontopubliclibrary.ca)

COUNSELLING

Bereaved Families of Ontario—Toronto (416) 440-0290

(www.bfotoronto.ca)

Catholic Family Services of Toronto (416) 921-1163

(www.cfstoronto.com)

COSTI (416) 658-1600 (www.costi.org)

Family Service Toronto (416) 595-9618

Families in Transition (416) 585-9151

(www.familyservicetoronto.org)

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (416) 969-8510

(www.nativechild.org)

Surrey Place Centre (416) 925-5141

Parenting Enhancement Program

(www.surreyplace.on.ca)

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (416) 925-6543

Child Development Program (CITYKIDS)

(www.hollandbloorview.ca) Fax: (416) 424-3865

Regent Park Community Health Centre Ext. 228 (416) 362-0805

Child Development Clinic

(www.regentparkchc.org) Fax: (416) 362-5899

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Ext. 4435 (416) 530-6000

Child Development Clinic

(www.stjoe.on.ca) Fax: (416) 530-6294

St. Michael’s Hospital Ext. 8276 (416) 864-3655

Pediatric Clinic

(www.stmichaelshospital.com) Fax: (416) 867-3736

Scarborough General Hospital (416) 431-4848

Developmental Screening Clinic

(www.TSH.to) Fax: (416) 431-5940

Surrey Place Centre

(www.surreyplace.on.ca) (416) 925-5141

Fax: (416) 923-8476

Toronto East General Hospital (EY, T) Child Development Centre (www.tegh.on.ca)

(416)925-6543 (CITYKIDS)

Fax: (416) 920-1543

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

Centennial Infant and Child Centre

(www.cicc.ca)

(416) 935-0200

Centre Francophone de Toronto

(www.centrefranco.org)

Ext. 274

(416) 922-2672

CNIB

(www.cnib.ca)

Ext. 8284

(416) 486-2500

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Play and Learn

(www.hollandbloorview.ca)

(416) 782-1105

Mothercraft Parent-Infant Program

(www.mothercraft.ca)

(416) 364-7373

Surrey Place Centre

Blind Low Vision Program

(www.surreyplace.on.ca)

(416) 925-5141 (416) 338-8255

EDUCATION

Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud

(www.csdccs.edu.on.ca)

(416) 397-6564

Conseil scolaire Viamonde

(www.csviamonde.ca)

(416) 614-0844

Toronto Catholic District School Board

(www.tcdsb.org)

Toronto District School Board

(www.tdsb.on.ca)

(416) 222-8282 (416) 397-3000

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES

Asperger’s Society of Ontario (416) 651-4037

(www.aspergers.ca)

Autism Ontario (416) 246-9592

(www.autismontario.com)

Toronto Chapter 1-866-925-9969

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto (416) 925-8981

(www.bbst.com)

Down Syndrome Association of Toronto (416) 966-0990

(www.dsat.ca)

Extend-A-Family Toronto (416) 484-1317

(www.extendafamily.ca)

Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (416) 929-4311

(www.ldao.ca)

Toronto District (416) 229-1680

(www.ldatd.on.ca)

Parent Outreach Program Ext.1311 (416) 645-6000

Woodgreen Community Services

(www.woodgreen.org)

Pilot Parents (647) 426-3220

Community Living Toronto

(www.communitylivingtoronto.ca)

Youth Assisting Youth (416) 932-1919

(www.yay.org)

FAMILY VIOLENCE

Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (416) 323-9149

(www.schliferclinic.com)

Here to Help Program

South Quadrant –Child Development Institute (T, EY) (416) 603-1827

(www.childdevelop.ca)

North Quadrant-Jewish Family & Child (NY) (416) 638-7800

(www.jfandcs.com)

West Quadrant-Yorktown Child & Family Centre (E, Y) (416) 394-2424

(www.yorktownfamilyservices.com)

East Quadrant-The YWCA of Greater Toronto (S) (416) 266-1232 (www.ymcagta.org)

Native Community-Native Child & Family Services of Toronto (416) 969-8510

(www.nativechild.org)

Violence Against Women (VAW) (416) 595-9618

(www.familyservicetoronto.org)

FETAL ALCOHOL ASSESSMENT

St. Michael’s Hospital (416) 867-3655

FASD Diagnostic Clinic

(www.stmichaelshospital.com)

Surrey Place Centre (416) 925-5141

Child & Youth FASD Diagnostic Clinic

(www.surreyplace.on.ca)

FINANCIAL SUPPORTS

Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (416) 325-0500

(www.children.gov.on.ca)

Assistive Devices Program (416) 327-8804

(www.health.gov.on.ca)

Canada Revenue Agency Forms Call Centre 1-800-959-8281

Disability Tax Credit Certificate

(www.cra.gc.ca)

Easter Seals Ontario (416) 421-8377

(www.easterseals.org)

Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity (905) 852-1799

(www.jenash.org)

President’s Choice Children’s Charity 1-866-996-9918

(www.presidentschoice.ca)

Registered Disability Savings Plan

(www.cra.gc.ca)

Special Services at Home (416) 325-0623

(www.children.gov.on.ca)

FOOD

Foodlink Hotline (416) 392-6655

(www.foodshare.net)

HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES

Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre (416) 506-9888

(www.healthcareathome.ca)

HEARING

Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf (416) 449-9651

(www2.bobrumball.org)

Canadian Hearing Society-Toronto (416) 928-2504

(www.chs.ca)

Infant Hearing Program (416) 338-8255

Toronto Preschool Speech & Language Services

(www.tpsls.on.ca)

Listen Up! Canada (416) 310-2244

(www.listenupcanada.com)

VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children (416) 487-7719

(www.voicefordeafkids.com)

HELPLINES

Assaulted Women’s Helpline (416) 863-0511

(www.awhl.org)

Distress Centres (416) 408-4357

(www.torontodistresscentre.com)

Hospital for Sick Children (416) 813-6780

Motherisk Program

(www.motherisk.org)

Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868

(www.kidshelpphone.ca)

Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000

(www.health.gov.on.ca)

HOMEMAKERS

VHA Home Health Care (416) 489-2500

(www.vha.ca)

HOSPITAL

Hospital for Sick Children (416) 813-1500

Anxiety Disorders Program (416) 813-6582

Department of Psychiatry (416) 813-6600

Department of Rehabilitation Services (416) 813-6755

Paediatric Medicine Consultation Clinic (416) 813-5839

SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) Program (416) 813-6245

(www.sickkids.ca)

HOUSING

Cooperative Housing Federation of Toronto (416) 465-8688

(www.coophousing.com)

Housing Connections (416) 981-6111

(www.housingconnections.ca)

INTERPRETERS

Access Alliance Multicultural (416) 324-2731

Health and Community Services

(www.accessalliance.ca)

LEARNING DISABILITIES

Integra (416) 486-8055 (www.integra.on.ca)

Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (416) 929-4311

(www.ldao.ca)

Toronto District (416) 229-1680

(www.ldatd.on.ca)

LEGAL

Downtown Legal Services (416) 978-6447

(www.dls.utoronto.ca)

Family Law Service Centre (416) 348-0001

(www.legalaid.on.ca)

Legal Aid Ontario (416) 979-1446

(www.legalaid.on.ca)

Lawyer Referral Service (416) 947-3330

(www.lsuc.on.ca)

MEDICAL INFORMATION

About Kids Health Family Resource Centre Hospital for Sick Children (www.aboutkidshealth.ca)

Allergy Asthma Information Association (416) 621-4571

(www.aaia.ca)

Epilepsy Toronto (416) 964-9095

(www.epilepsytoronto.org)

MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES

Licensing Services (416) 325-0652

(www.children.gov.on.ca)

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

VHA Home Health Care (416) 489-2500

(www.vha.ca)

ON-LINE RESOURCES

About Kids Health Family Resource Centre Hospital for Sick Children (www.aboutkidshealth.ca)

Connectability

(www.connectability.ca)

E-Learning

(www.autism.net)

PHYSICAL DISABILITY

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (416) 425-6220

(www.hollandbloorview.ca)

Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy (416) 244-9686

(www.ofcp.ca)

PRIVATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (416) 233-2001

(www.oand.org)

College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (416) 214-1177

(www.coto.org)

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (416) 967-2600

(www.cpso.on.ca)

College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (416) 591-3828

(www.collegept.org)

Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (416) 920-3676

& Audiologists

(www.osla.on.ca)

Ontario Psychological Association (416) 961-5552

(www.psych.on.ca)

PUBLIC HEALTH

Toronto Public Health (416) 338-7600

(www.toronto.ca/health)

RECREATION FOR CHILDREN

Scouts Canada (416) 490-6364

(www.scouts.ca)

Girl Guides of Canada (416) 487-5281

(www.girlguides.ca)

Toronto Parks and Recreation Registration (416) 338-4386

(www.toronto.ca/parks)

RESPITE CARE

Community Living Toronto (647) 426-3220

Respite Choices

(www.cltoronto.ca)

respiteservices.com (416) 322-6317

(www.respiteservices.com)

SERVICE COORDINATION

CITYKIDS (416) 920-6543

(www.mothercraft.ca) Fax: (416) 920-1543

SERVICE INFORMATION

Findhelp Information Services 211 Toronto 211

(www.211Toronto.ca)

SPECIALIZED NURSERY PROGRAMS

Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf Ext. 138 (416)449-9651

Rumball Early Education Centre

(www2.bobrumball.org)

Bond Child & Family Development (416) 367-8349

(www.bondchildandfamilydevelopment.ca)

Centennial Infant and Child Centre (416) 935-0200

(www.cicc.ca)

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Nursery Schools

0-2 Babies (416) 782-1105

High Park Site (416) 767-2192

Play and Learn (416) 782-1105

Scarborough Site (416) 759-8079 (www.holland.bloorview.ca)

Silver Creek Association for Children with Handicaps (416) 249-9770

(www.silvercreekpreschool.com)

Yes I Can! Nursery School (416) 486-4911

(www.yesicannurseryschool.com)

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE

Geneva Centre for Autism (416) 322-7877

(www.autism.net)

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (416) 425-6220

(www.hollandbloorview.ca)

The Hanen Centre (416) 921-1073

(www.hanen.org)

Hospital for Sick Children (416) 813-6100

Communication Disorders Speech Program

(www.sickkids.ca)

Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (416) 920-3676

& Audiologists

(www.osla.on.ca)

Speech and Stuttering Institute (416) 491-7771

(www.speechandstuttering.com)

Surrey Place Centre (416) 925-5141

(www.surreyplace.on.ca)

Toronto East General Hospital Ext.6337 (416) 469-6580

(www.tegh.on.ca)

Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services (416) 338-8255

(www.tpsls.on.ca)

East Quadrant-Rouge Valley Health System (416) 281-7445

North Quadrant-North York General Hospital (416) 635-2616

South Quadrant-The Hanen Centre (416) 921-4498

West Quadrant-The George Hull Centre (416) 622-8315

SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE

Toronto Children’s Services (416) 392-5437

(www.toronto.ca/children)

SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY

Breaking the Cycle (Mothercraft) (416) 364-7373

(www.mothercraft.ca)

VISION

Blind-Low Vision Early Intervention Program (416) 338-8255

Toronto Preschool Speech & Language Services

(www.tpsls.on.ca)

CNIB (416) 486-2500 (www.cnib.ca)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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