Adrian Polidano

A referral is a vital document that initiates the communication and collaboration required to deliver the most appropriate and timely service. The majority of the 7,000 referrals Grandview Kids receives are through fax. A paper-based fax presents security issues, often misses pertinent information and can have illegible handwriting. Up to 15% require follow up, creating a bottleneck and totalling about 350 hours of additional work annually.

Grandview Kids wanted to transform the way all referrals are received by moving to an electronic format, and improving the experience of our clients, staff and community partners. Grandview Kids implemented electronic referral forms using the Ocean eReferral platform, which is funded by Ontario Health for family physicians, hospitals and medical clinics and utilizes cloud-based technology, complies with PHIPA requirements, and integrates with multiple electronic health records.

Ocean’s strict commitment to protecting the personal health information is another reason Grandview Kids switched to the platform. The Ocean eReferral Network boasts the highest security safeguards as it is committed to protecting clients’ privacy, including the encryption of all personal health information before the transmission and storage of a referral. The encryption ensures that no one outside a client’s immediate circle of care can access their personal health information in Ocean.

We are now accepting new client/caregiver self-referrals using Ocean, as well as referrals from doctors. We are also in the process of rolling out the online referral for school partners. As part of Grandview Kids’ commitment to access and equity, we will ensure there are ways for clients, families and partners with limited technology access or experience to submit a referral in other formats.

For more information on Grandview’s referral process, visit our referrals webpage or contact a member of our Service Navigation team at 905-728-1673 ext. 2468.

Alden (left) - a young boy with blonde hair sits beside his mom, Natasha (right). — Natasha and her son, Alden.

Natasha is a mom to three; her youngest is a Grandview kid. She works as part of the Grandview Kids’ Family Engagement Team. Here is Natasha and her son, Alden’s story:

My youngest wasn’t even six months old the first time I said the word “autism” out loud. It was to my husband. I had spent the better part of the last few months Googling:

“Why doesn’t my baby look at me?”
“What does flapping hands mean?”
“Why will my baby only sleep when he’s on me?”

I watched videos on YouTube about how autism is present in infants and babies. I didn’t know anything about autism, but I called my husband over and said, “I need to say this out loud, and maybe I’m crazy, and maybe I’m wrong.. but I have to tell someone. I think our son is autistic.”

Months go by, and at each doctor’s visit, we’re left with no answers, “He’s just a baby, kids develop differently, and he’s too young to tell.” So, we waited, and I Googled more…

“Why isn’t my son talking?”
“Is walking on your toes okay?”
“When will he recognize his name?”

Every question led me to the same outcome. Now we just needed to find someone to listen!

My son was also born prematurely, so he was followed by the FUNN clinic at Lakeridge Health. At his one-year check-up, I said it again, they told us if we have concerns at his 15-month check-up, they would bring in someone from Grandview Kids to do a speech assessment.

From the first day, Grandview Kids listened. We were referred to a developmental pediatrician, and on September 18, 2018, just one month before his second birthday, my son was diagnosed as Autistic, level 3, non-verbal. There were a lot of tears that day in the doctor’s office. But the tears were of relief for knowing that I wasn’t crazy and that we would finally be able to learn.

He is my third child, but I’m learning how to be a mom all over again.

Family and friends told us how “sorry” they were when they found out. Professionals told us they could help us fix him but that he would likely never talk to or understand us.

Alden and I are here to tell them they were wrong! Nothing changed the day he was diagnosed. He was the same little boy who had stolen our hearts from the moment he was born. I was a fool to wish I was wrong. Autism is beautiful! It’s a whole world that you miss out on until someone special invites you in.

We don’t want to change him; we simply want the tools to help him succeed in a world that struggles to accept anything different. A world I’ve never fit into either. “Dare to be different.” Those are the words my Mémère and mom would always say to me as a child. Acceptance is the next step toward a truly inclusive community.

Alden is now six-years-old. He has the best smile and laugh in the whole world! His humour and character are unmatched, and he gives the best hugs and squishes. He loves wrestling with his older brother and watching funny videos with his sister. His favourite thing to do is try and scare you, he thinks he’s hilarious! He loves Lightning McQueen, fart noises, trains and singing the “Wheels on the Bus” song all day long.

Alden with a cut-out poster around his head.

I wanted to find all the ways to support him, and along the way, I found a lot of information to support me too. The more I read and learned, the more my own life started to make sense.

I feel like with my work at Grandview Kids, working with staff and professionals, as well as being surrounded by the autism community, I’m pretty well connected. Yet it still took me four years and paying out of pocket to get my own autism assessment.

Oftentimes, adults go undiagnosed because they are simply unaware of autistic traits or they’ve learned to mask so well. Being self-diagnosed is common and accepted in the autism community. Getting a diagnosis is a privilege at any age, but the barriers for adults are honestly just cruel. Finally, on September 30, 2022, four years after my son, I was diagnosed as Autistic, level 2.

Now, I’m sharing the level with you all today, not because I believe in them but to show you how moderate/severe can look like with years of masking. Personally, I don’t believe in the levels because you can only diagnose us on the level that we present with at the time of the assessment. It’s not based on how it affects me or how much I’ve learned to mask.

Natasha wearing an Autistic and Proud t-shirt.

The good news is that I’m learning to unlearn! Unmasking is hard, but I deserve to be my authentic self. It’s a lot of undoing, but I’m doing the work. My son deserves to be proud of himself, and I’ll do the work to make sure he’s never ashamed of being autistic.

Often, my needs and my son’s needs, go against each other, so we are becoming experts on accommodations together.

Thank you, Grandview Kids, for listening when no one else would and continuing to listen and learn from those with lived experience. We will forever be grateful for everything Grandview Kids has done for our family. We’ve got a long way to go together, but I’m glad #TeamGrandview is part of our journey!

I’ve learned to see the world through my son’s eyes, and if you’re willing to get into his world instead of expecting him to join yours, it’s magical, and it feels more like home than anywhere I’ve ever been before. I have Alden, my family, and my work colleagues (who have become lifelong friends) to thank for helping me find myself, too!

Grandview Kids is proud to support, partner with and learn from autistic clients, caregivers, employees and community members. While society has greater awareness about autism than ever before, autistic people still face a number of challenges throughout life, including prejudice, bullying and limited job opportunities.

Awareness vs. Acceptance

Education is important, but we can’t stop there. Autism Acceptance means celebrating differences and encouraging tangible action to support and include autistic individuals. Acceptance means understanding and acknowledging the diversity of lived experiences, cultures and environments.

Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

In clinical terms, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms and ability levels. ASD is an encompassing diagnostic category that includes 2 symptom domains: 1) social communication impairments; 2) restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours and interests (Zwaigenbaum et al., 2019).

It’s also important to know:

1. No two Autistic people/persons with Autism are the same.

2. Every Autistic person/person with Autism has their own unique mix of traits, strengths, sensory systems, personalities, interests and needs.

3. Autism is a dynamic disability, so a person’s needs or abilities may fluctuate or change.

Language matters

You may also have heard about person-first and identify-first language. This refers to how someone describes themselves or others.

Person-first example: Person with Autism

Identity-first example: Autistic person/Autistic

Tip: Ask about their preference! Follow their lead and be flexible, as preferences may change over time.

Definitions:

Neurodiversity refers to the natural diversity of human minds; it acknowledges the whole spectrum of neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals.

Neurodiverse is a term to describe a group of individuals who represent the spectrum of neurodiversity, including neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. People cannot be neurodiverse.

Definitions:

Neurotypical, one neurotype, refers to having a mind or functioning that falls within societal standards of what is deemed typical or common. It’s the opposite of neurodivergent.

Neurodivergent, another neurotype, is an umbrella term for individuals who have a mind or brain that diverges from what is typical. It can be acquired or genetic.

How can you be an ally during Autism Acceptance Month and beyond?

Here are a few tips from our Ability Acceptance Presenter, Mitchell Daniels:

1. Educate yourself. Learn about Autism. Learn about disabilities. Know that some are visible and some are not. Learn from disabled people and value their perspectives.

2. Offer support, but let them take the lead. Asking how you can support someone is always a recommended step, but do not assume just because someone has different needs or abilities that they need help. Be open and friendly.

3. Avoid talking to someone’s support person first. Engage directly with the person to whom you are talking. Sometimes, people may defer to their support person but do not assume that is their preference.

4. Always be kind, understanding and patient. Some people may take longer to process information. Give them time to respond, and get comfortable with silence while you wait.

5. Recognize that not everyone communicates verbally. Give them time to demonstrate how they prefer to communicate. If the person uses communication technologies, watch what they’re doing and respond as you would usually. It’s just another way to talk. Remove distractions and give them your full attention.

6. Remember that language matters. Ask their preference, whether it’s identity-first or person-first. Be flexible and follow their lead, as their preference may change over time.

7. Educate others. Call out ableism, which dismisses the challenges of disabled people and assumes every person has the same capacity and resources to handle things. Aim to build spaces, communities and opportunities where differences are celebrated and encouraged.

These are just a few of the many ways to be an inclusive ally. Where are you going to start?

Brain Injury Awareness Month, recognized each March, provides an important opportunity to bring attention to the prevention of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to promote strategies to improve the quality of life for persons living with TBI and their families.

Claudia N., a Grandview parent and member of our Family Advisory Council (FAC), tells her son Reid’s story:

“Brain injury is invisible and often misunderstood. The scars may not be obvious, but they are there. They show up in the way you move, talk, and process information. My son acquired a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a rare complication of brain inflammation during influenza.

Claudia taking a selfie of herself with her two children. — Claudia N., with her children.

Claudia's son and daughter in a portrait like photo. — Claudia N., with her children.

He was a rep-athlete in hockey, basketball, soccer and baseball. The more contact he had in sports, the better. Now he can no longer have contact. This was his identity. He had to re-learn everything, from riding a bike, walking, and running to tying his shoelaces.

Having to answer the question, “why doesn’t my brain or body work like it used to?” daily is heartbreaking.

Grandview Kids showed me there is hope after a TBI, but it begins when it is taken seriously by others. Instead of hockey, they introduced him to golf. Instead of tackle football, they are teaching how to swim. He was resistant at first but is now secretly loving it. They showed him that there are different directions that can just be as fulfilling. When he wanted to give up, they simply wouldn’t let him.

Claudia's son, Reid, sitting in the hospital bed for rehabilitation. — Reid in the hospital for rehabilitation.

Claudia's son, Reid, playing wheelchair basketball with his friends. — Reid in the hospital for rehabilitation.

As his mom, seeing him feeling so lost every day is excruciating, and I wish I could trade places with him. Disabilities come in all shapes and sizes and visibilities. Yes, this injury is invisible, but the impact and effects are as lifelong as visible ones.

The good news is that with the right support and accommodations, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Next time you meet someone with a TBI, just know how much more there is behind those sweet eyes looking back at you.”

Nominate a member of Team Grandview for the prestigious Power of One award

At Grandview Kids, we take great pride in our most valuable asset – our team.

Each member of Team Grandview gives their best every day. With every appointment, program or service delivered, our clinicians, staff, students and volunteers help build a welcoming and inclusive environment for all families. All Team Members sparkle, and we’re asking for your input to help them shine.

Has someone on Team Grandview made an impact on the life of your child, youth or family? Nominate them for the Power of One Award.

Any member of Team Grandview can be nominated, including physicians, clinicians, staff, students and volunteers.

One team member will be selected to receive the Power of One award, which will be presented at our June annual Staff Barbeque.

Submit your nomination

Nominations are now open using this online form until Friday, April 28, 2023.

Questions? Please email Communications@grandviewkids.ca.

Interview with Scott Bremner, author of Durability: Braving the non-disabled world

We recently had an interview with Scott Bremner, the author of Durability: Braving the non-disabled world. Read what he had to say about his book, the writing process and his inspirations.

Scott Bremner, sitting in a chair posing for a photo wearing plaid shirt. — Scott Bremner

What inspired you to write this book about your life?

I believe it was the anniversary of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the first of two legislative bills to increase accessibility in this province. All these people who had been involved in advocating for the disabled community were in one room. Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the late David Onley, and David Lepofsky, lawyer and advocate, were there, along with current and former politicians and members of the disabled community.

While there, I met Marie Bountrogianni, who wrote the follow-up legislation: the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, passed in 2005. That was the final push I needed to write the book hearing the unique perspective of this woman—the one who put pen to paper on significant legislation. The idea of writing a book had been in my head for years, but seeing those people all gathered showed me that people cared and still cared. An entire community had been working on getting the idea of accessibility out there in the public eye for years. I knew from that day the book would happen in some way. That was inspiring for me. I saw a path forward, a way to do this.

What was one of the most surprising things that you learned when creating your book?

It wasn’t the book or the writing itself, but everything after it was written. Answering questions like, “how are you getting the book out there?” and figuring out whether to publish the book traditionally versus self-publishing or thinking about how to design the cover. It was all very much trial and error. Durability was written for a specific purpose, so I want as many people as possible to read it.

Scott, author of Durability, holding up his book, Durability. — Scott holding his book, Durability.

What does the title mean to you? Why did you choose it?

It was the name of the show I hosted on Rogers TV for five years. I like it because it’s always had two meanings: Durham ability (I live in Durham Region) and Durability, which means strength. People with disabilities go through a lot. We’ve been put through a lot and have had to handle a lot, personally and professionally.

Durability might as well be the motto for the disabled community. But that doesn’t mean those challenges don’t affect us because we face barriers constantly. We get through the day and meet challenges at any age. That doesn’t mean we don’t need help. That we don’t need more people to get involved in the accessibility movement. We do. To progress, to gain traction, readers of all kinds benefit from knowing the adversities we face and have faced in the past.

Can you tell me a little bit about the book? How will individuals (with or without disabilities) benefit or learn from your book? What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?

The book was written in three sections: the first part is a memoir, the second is an advice guide for people with disabilities and parents with children with disabilities, and the third part is a political history of disability and accessibility legislation throughout the province, the country and North America. As a journalist, who went to school and had a career in journalism, it was important for me to talk with experts about topics important to persons with disabilities.

There are things I didn’t know myself, but I learned from researching while writing my book. That is part of the joy of writing and journalism for me, finding out something you didn’t know and getting clarity for people, especially those who were there, and that was an interesting experience.

I’ve had a lot of great conversations with politicians and stakeholders. I asked them not to hold back. It was the same talking with my friends and family about how they saw things. These people were real with me. Even though I’ve made mistakes, looking back at the time, I thought I was making the right decision because when you’re 10, you don’t think about how those decisions will affect your 30s or beyond. I’ve grown as a person, and I matured while writing Durability. You learn just as much from failing as you do from succeeding. If I can make things easier for people by writing a book where you can understand other people’s points of view, it benefits the readers.

Scott Bremner received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022.

Scott’s book is available on Amazon and at Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge.

Follow Scott online & his other social media platforms: