Adrian Polidano

In December, Grandview Kids Occupational Therapist, Sandie, organized a draw for two coats from Koolway Sports. The lucky winners of this draw would win a custom-made coat from Koolway Sports.

Koolway Sports, a Canadian-owned-and-operated company that designs and manufactures clothing in the GTA, prides itself on manufacturing clothing that is comfortable and warm for people of all ages who have mobility issues. Koolway Sports’ specialty is providing fashionable and weather-appropriate outerwear that saves time and effort for customers and caregivers who need a stress-free experience in dressing. The company customizes each product to fit individual client needs from their body frame to their custom wheelchairs.

Both Sandie and another Grandview Kids Occupational Therapist, Serena, are among those who entered several of their clients in the draw. Sandie’s client, Erum, and Serena’s client, Colton, were the two lucky winners!

Erum poses with Sandie just before she tries on her new coat for the first time.

Serena was overjoyed to find out that Colton had won. She says, “He really needed a warmer winter option.” Colton and his family have excitedly welcomed the new addition to his wardrobe. Being able to have a warm coat that is tailor-made to fit him and his wheelchair has been treasured during this winter’s chilly weather

Colton tries on his Koolway Sports coat for the first time.

Sandie’s client, Erum, notes that she likes that her new coat is red. She is particularly happy about the fact that she does not have to wear bulky snow pants anymore. Erum’s mom, Satwat, noted that due to Erum’s neuromuscular disorder, her legs are very cold all the time and this jacket will help her stay warm. Satwat also likes how it will be easier for herself, the personal support workers and teachers to put on the jacket without causing pain for Erum. Koolway Sports also provided Erum with socks, which help keep her feet warm with ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on; this enables her to no longer need to wear snow boots.

Erum and her mom, Satwat, pose before Erum tries on her Koolway Sports coat.

Erum posing in her beautiful and new red Koolway Sports coat! — Erum and her mom, Satwat, pose before Erum tries on her Koolway Sports coat.

These coats have been game-changers for both Colton and Erum. We are so delighted to see them cozied-up in their brand new Koolway Sports coats, just in time for some outdoor winter fun!

Written by Grandview Kids Occupational Therapist, Desiree

I feel represented. My children are represented. The students on my caseload are represented more than ever before! What am I talking about, you ask? As a black woman, mother and an Occupational Therapist (OT), I am thrilled to see myself in historical characters, such as Harriet Tubman, on the big movie screen.

I am encouraged for my sons when they see the late Chadwick Boseman play the dynamic Black Panther in theatres. I am hopeful for the children on my caseload, who are on the Autism Spectrum when their future employers get comfortable seeing Freddie Highmore play the brilliant Dr. Shaun Murphy on the hit T.V. show, The Good Doctor. Lastly, I am inspired by Paras Patel, who plays the disciple with Asperger’s Syndrome, on the sensational YouTube series, The Chosen.

We cannot be what we cannot see. So, I am so happy to be seeing such representation in entertainment, appreciating we still have work to do. If all the world is a stage, then there is enough room for each of us to have an opportunity to shine.

Grandview Kids Director of Clinical Services, Leslie Suite, commemorates National Therapeutic Recreation Month.

Grandview Kids Therapeutic Recreation outdoor play group.

I would like to take a moment to recognize the Grandview Kids Therapeutic Recreation team, as February is National Therapeutic Recreation Month. The Therapeutic Recreation team has taken on adversity over the last year with commendable poise.

Recreation Therapists (RTs) at Grandview Kids work with children, youth and families to improve physical, emotional and cognitive well-being through activity-based interventions. RT sessions can take place 1:1 or in group settings, virtually or in-person. RTs use play, recreation participation and leisure activities to support overall physical and mental health.

Normally, the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) staff offers a variety of social group activities. Some of these activities include preschool play groups, swimming lessons, Tae-Kwon-Do classes, physical literacy groups, Parasport programs and several more. Running these activities was a large part of the program’s day-to-day regimen and it is clear that families deeply miss this aspect of TR.

It is no secret that getting to work with clients, in groups, face-to-face, has always been at the core of the work RTs do. However, like everyone in 2020, the TR staff had to adjust to the new normal. They have recently expanded their team and were able to quickly adapt, beginning to offer tele-practice social groups, and continuing to offer 1:1 in-person sessions for clients who were unable to participate virtually. The TR team has worked determinedly to develop new games and activities to adhere to the new COVID protocols and parameters. Their work does not go unnoticed, as the time RTs dedicated to adapting their programs and creating new activities has only improved the day-to-day lives of the children and youth they serve.

Thank you, to all of our RTs, for all that you do to help make Grandview Kids a welcoming environment and an adaptable point-of-care for all families and caregivers who visit us.

To learn more about what Recreation Therapy looks like at Grandview Kids, click here.

To learn more about the Canadian organizations that are supporting TR Awareness Month, please visit the links provided below:

Sincerely,

Leslie Suite, Director of Clinical Services

Playing with your child is a great way to foster early language development! Try these strategies during play time with your preschooler:

Let your child pick the activity/toy they want to play with. This could be blocks, toy food, balls, cars, colouring—whatever they are excited about! Remember that your child, like us, will communicate about the things he or she is interested in.
Then watch to see HOW your child plays. Maybe they want to stack blocks or line them up, put food in the cart or serve it to guests, toss a ball back and forth or throw it in a basket, send cars down a track or launch them off a cliff, colour a picture with crayons or scribble on the white board. There are so many ways to play!
Join the play by playing like a child and getting your own toys.
Sometimes children are protective of ‘their stuff’ and won’t let you touch their toys. It’s OK to play side by side with your own set of materials and not touch theirs. A great way to join the play is by getting a similar toy to your child’s. It’s okay if it’s not exactly the same! For example, if your child is playing with a baby, grab a stuffed animal! Try to sit on your child’s level and be face to face. This will make it easier for them to look at you and to include you in their play. Copy how your child plays! For example, if your child is building a tower, build a tower too! If they’re lining up their toys, do the same!
As you play together, try to model functional vocabulary that matches the play, including fun words and sound effects. Some of the words you use could be “open”, “more”, “go”, “stop”, “in”, “out”, “up”, “down”, “mine”, “wee”, “boom”, “pop”.
Listen for any attempts your child makes to copy your words. Don’t worry if their words aren’t clear! Watch to see if your child uses a gesture such as pointing. If they do, interpret these non-verbal messages. Interpreting means that we say what your child would say if they could say it, by using simple words from your child’s perspective. Just take your best guess! Remember this may mean that you have to think like a toddler. They may be trying to say action words or fun words, not just nouns (i.e., bounce and throw versus ball).
Try to reduce your questions and make more comments. For example, instead of saying, “are you playing with the baby?” you could say, “your baby is so hungry! Drink milk baby!” Your child is more likely to imitate your statements than reply to your questions.
Don’t forget to slow down and pause. Children need more time to process and react.

Remember that preschoolers have short attention spans! Be open to the play changing after a few turns and follow your child’s lead! Most importantly have fun together!

Written by: Kelly, Speech-Language Therapy Assistant

Written by by Grandview Kids Recreation Therapist, Alicia (Discipline Lead)

If your family values recreation and leisure activities, or you are looking for ways to get your children active, the registration fees can be daunting, especially if you have a child who may require variation or a number of children with varying interests and abilities. Check out this chart to see if you are eligible for funding support through private organizations or through your municipality. There are many options for families who qualify for low-income, and there are some that are based on diagnosis only, which may not require proof of low income/financial hardship.

If you are considering Jumpstart funding, but do not quite meet the cutoff, contact your municipal contact and explain your current circumstance to see if they are able to approve your application in person. This decision is made based on available funds and family-specific circumstances.

Contact your Recreation Therapist or Service Navigation if you have questions.

Written by Grandview Kids Recreation Therapist – Discipline Lead, Alicia

Keeping your kids active is getting increasingly difficult with the current closures and the dropping temperatures. Check out these indoor obstacle course ideas to set up a fun physical activity in your living room!

All courses are made using furniture or items you already have at home. You can set them up as a relay (have you/your children take turns completing the course, and then giving the next person a high five to indicate that it is their turn), or time yourselves to make it competitive. Use painters’ tape to make a line course indoors, the rules are you must keep both feet on a line at all times.

Downloadable Obstacle Course PDFs:

1. Obstacle Course – Indoor Download

2. Living Room Obstacle Course Download

3. Chalk Tape Obstacle Course Download

Adrian Polidano

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