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Every Child And Youth Living Life At Their Full Potential

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Summer Self-Care Bucket List Challenge

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Written by Grandview Kids Peer Navigator Jacki N.

For the past few summers, I have sat down with my four children and created a Summer Bucket List. We brainstormed 15 items that we wanted to do in the summer, then constructed our list as a family. Going to a splash pad, hosting a family baseball game, and visiting an ice cream truck always seem to make the chart. Each year, we check off most of the list, and I can prioritize what is important to my kids over the summer.

But I was thinking I may put a spin on it this year…

Self-care is essential. When you fill your own bucket, you are a better parent and caregiver. That is why, this summer, I have decided to create my own Self-Care Bucket List (and don’t worry, my children are still getting their Bucket lists). I am going to challenge other Grandview parents and caregivers to do the same thing.

By thinking about my wants, priorities and dreams, I am practicing self-care. Self-care replenishes our energy, focus and positivity; it ensures our needs are being met. So often, we get caught up in the important role of taking care of others that we forget about ourselves.

I recognize that taking time away for some may be difficult due to your child/ren’s needs. Self-care doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive, but it should be meaningful and customized for you. Self-care looks different for everybody. Taking time to rest, re-charge or indulge means you will have more energy and strength to take on the next step in your parenting and caregiving journey.

Let’s see how you can commit to better self-care this summer.

Start your own Summer Self-Care Bucket List:

Grab a pen and paper and write down at least five things you want to do this summer; this equates roughly to one thing every two weeks. Think of places you may want to visit, something you have been putting off, or a new food you want to try. These items can be things you do with your loved ones or on your own. They also can be free or have a cost. The only requirement is that they are what you want to do.

Once your list is complete, put it in a location that is easily visible. Take pleasure in checking off the items on your list and loving yourself.

Here are some ideas from our Grandview Kids’ Peer Navigators’ Summer Bucket Lists:

  • Read by the water
  • Ride a roller coaster
  • Bake a cake
  • Have a spa day
  • Visit a new place
  • Take a course and learn something new
  • Bike ride in a scenic area
  • Watch a thunderstorm on the porch
  • Attend a concert
  • Revisit your love of woodworking and build a bench
  • Get hair done
  • Go on a day trip with extended family
  • Have a night away or date-night with your spouse
  • Try a new restaurant
  • Spend the day with faraway friends/family
  • Walk outside every day
  • Try Pilates
  • Watch a sunset and a sunrise
  • Start painting again

Go on… get started! What will fill your bucket?

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.

Alden playing with small car toys.
Natasha and her son Alden

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.
Alden and Natasha

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!

Durham Region is home to a number of high-quality, reliable licensed child care programs. With more than 300 licensed child care centres, Montessori programs, nursery schools and six home child care agencies, there are a variety of programs to choose from! This article aims to help Grandview Kids’ families make an informed decision when selecting an inclusive and welcoming child care program for their child.

Here are five tips on finding inclusive child care in the Durham Region

Illustration of three kids laying down on their stomachs with their hands on their cheeks smiling.

1. Find the type of child care that’s right for you

There are different forms of licensed child care available in the Durham Region. These include licensed child care centres and before and after-school programs, Montessori schools, nursery schools and licensed home child care. Each type of child care has its own benefits including a variety of operating hours, qualified registered early childhood educators, part-time or full-time attendance. Programs must adhere to regulations overseen by the Ministry of Education and follow How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s pedagogy for the early years. Licensed programs are monitored annually.

Unlicensed child care also has regulations by the Ministry, including the number of children allowed in a provider’s home. Unlicensed child care Is not monitored as closely as licensed programs. Learn more by visiting the Ministry of Education’s types of child care webpage.

2. See if you qualify for child care fee subsidy

The Durham Region Children’s Services Division, Child Care Fee Subsidy Program helps families, who live in the Durham Region, with the daily cost of licensed child care. To be eligible, parents/caregivers need to be working, going to school, have a special or social need (yourself as the parent or your child) or be receiving Ontario Works. The Children’s Services Division has created an online Fee Subsidy Calculator, which uses your annual household income to estimate how much child care would cost when receiving fee subsidy. Learn more about Child Care Fee Subsidy and its application process; there is currently no wait time for eligible families. Families can receive care based on the date that care is required.

Illustration of a mom sitting cross-legged on the floor while her child colours beside her.

3. Search for licensed child care in your area

Using the Child Care Directory or the Children’s Program Locator interactive map, you can search for licensed homechild care agencies, child care centres and before-and-after school programs in your neighbourhood. The Children’s Services Division has created a video tutorial to help you find child care in your area. The Directory and Program Locator will provide information on the provider’s website, age groups offered, hours of operation, if child care fee subsidy is accepted, and if the building is accessible.

4. Speak with educators about supports available for children with special needs

In the Durham Region, licensed child care programs have the opportunity to enter into an agreement with the Children’s Services Division, which provides the provider to access funds from the Ministry of Education. This is called a Purchase of Service Agreement. Each provider must uphold quality standards known as the Durham Region Operating Criteria, including having an inclusivity statement. As such, providers with a Purchase of Service Agreement are connected to a network of Special Needs Resourcing (SNR) agencies. This network includes:

Each licensed child care program will work with caregivers and children with special needs to formulate an Individual Support Plan (ISP). This plan will help your child transition into care, receive supports to help them fully participate in the activities offered in the program, and enjoy their time with peers and educators.

Unlicensed child care providers are not able to apply for a Purchase of Service Agreement. This means, unlicensed providers are not monitored by the Durham Region Operating Criteria and do not have the same access to SNR agencies.

Illustration of a father colouring with his daughter.

5. Ask questions

Choosing a child care program can be a difficult decision. Here are some questions that you can ask the supervisors/directors when choosing the best child care for your child:

  • Is your home licensed with the Ministry of Education?
  • Is your centre required to follow Durham Region Operating Criteria for quality assurance?
  • What are the qualifications and training of the educators?
  • What does a typical day look like?
  • Do the educators have experience working with children with special needs?
  • Does your home or centre have access to SNR services?
  • How do you include children with special needs in your programming?
  • Are educators trained in first aid or emergencies?
  • How can I help support my child’s needs while at child care?

For a comprehensive list of questions, check out the Ministry of Education’s common questions to ask a child care provider online tip sheet.

For Support to find child care placements, families can contact:

Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth, Durham Region, Access Coordinators – Sue or Kristen at 905 427-8862 extension 504.

Authors

This blog was written in partnership with The Regional Municipality of Durham, Children’s Services Division. The Children’s Services Division is responsible for planning, funding and managing the early learning and child care sector in the Durham Region. For more information, please visit the Children’s Services Division website.

Written by Grandview Kids CEO, Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann

Grandview Kids is grieving with Muslim staff, colleagues, clients and families.

In the wake of the horrific hate-filled murders in London, Ontario, Grandview stands beside and with Muslims across Canada in denouncing the hatred and racism directly.

Hopes, prayers, and tears will not address anti-Muslim racism.

I have pondered what I can possibly do as one person to make a difference. I have decided that I can continue to choose love over hate. I commit to denouncing racism when confronted by it, calling out racist jokes or comments, not looking the other way, noticing hatred and calling it out, standing with and for equity deserving communities.

No one is born hating. It is learned. It is radicalized. How does a 20-year-old become so filled with hatred? Certainly not overnight. I cannot imagine that there are not people who saw this hatred being fuelled and looked away. I will not look away.

I had the pleasure of serving on the PCMCH Board with Javeed Sukhera MD Ph.D., who is a Paediatric Psychiatrist out of London, Ontario. He is Muslim. He has educated me. Today he asks us not to look away from the hatred that lives within our midst. Do not give it oxygen; starve it with love and suffocate it with compassion. 

Madiha was pursuing her Ph.D. in Geo-environmental Engineering at Western University. Through her writings, she aimed to promote a positive image of the Muslim community, particularly in North America and inspire and motivate the Muslim Youth. Her son now lies in a hospital bed, facing a future without his family. May her writings pave the way for him to see her dream realized: love and compassion.

– Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann, Grandview Kids CEO

Written by Grandview Kids Student Occupational Therapist, Rosetti

Is your family looking to purchase an accessible vehicle?

There are a lot of options out there, and deciding on one can be very overwhelming. This post is a great starting point in helping your decision-making process and is written to help you and your family narrow down your options.

Illustration of a kid boy in a wheelchair using a lift on a vehicle.

Rear or side entry?

The size of your family may be the deciding factor. Side entry vans can seat 5 passengers and the wheelchair user, whereas a rear entry van can seat 4 passengers and the wheelchair user.

Rear entry vans are easier to access in parking lots, driveways and garages since it does not require any space on the side of the vehicle to enter. Side entry vans are easier to access at curbs and street parking.

When entering a side entry van, the wheelchair requires more maneuvering to turn and face the front of the vehicle. With a rear entry van, the wheelchair requires less maneuvering as the wheelchair user enters straight in and exits straight out of the vehicle.

A side-entry van is closer to the ground, making navigating speed bumps and rough terrain more challenging. In contrast, rear entry vans are higher off the ground and make navigating speed bumps and rough terrain easier.

Rear entry vans do not have trunk space but can accommodate 2 wheelchairs.

Side entry vans have a trunk space and can accommodate a hitch.

Fold-Up vs In-Floor Ramps

Once you have decided between rear and side entry, it is time to consider what type of ramp to install. Rear entry vans can only accommodate a fold-up ramp.

There are manual and power options with both styles of ramps. It should be noted that with the power option, there is a manual override option should there be any technical difficulties or malfunctions.

The fold-up ramp is typically a bi-fold style. It unfolds and is lowered onto the floor. When it needs to be stored, it folds up and blocks the doorway but leaves the window visible. If you choose to access the door, you must unfold the ramp.

In floor ramps do not block the doorway as the ramp is stored within the floor of the vehicle.

Funding

Purchasing a vehicle, whether it be new or used, is a large enough purchase. Van conversions are a large expense, but there are funding options available for many families.

March of Dimes’ Home and Vehicle Modification Program offers up to $15,000 for van conversions. This amount cannot be applied to the purchase of the vehicle itself. It is important to note that conversions must be newly installed on a new or up to 3 year old vehicle. A used vehicle must have less than 60,000 km.

Holland Bloorview’s Family Support fund offers up to $1,500 for children under the age of 19 and have had a clinical appointment with Holland Bloorview within 2 years of the date on the application. 

Easter Seals offers up to $3000 annually. The amount funded varies based on the cost of the item and the availability of Easter Seals funds.

Families can claim the purchase of a modified vehicle on their annual tax return as a medical expense. The provincial limit is $7,456. Similarly, GST/HST that was paid or is owed on the modifications of a converted van can be reimbursed.

Other funding options:

Written by Aurora, OTA/PTA student

Due to the pandemic, student placements are hard to come by and I am very fortunate that I can have an in-person placement this year. Being a student in the pandemic has been very different with learning. Grandview Kids is full of so many learning opportunities to teach skills related to different professions. There are some differences in types of therapy tools that can be used as things must be sanitized properly so they are safe to use in sessions. This just means that there is an added element of extra creativity to make every session fun and full of learning for each child.

Photo of placement student, Aurora, donned in Personal Protective Equipment, which includes a blue dispoable face mask and a face shield.
OTA/PTA student, Aurora, donned in PPE

I have been at Grandview Kids for my placement since the beginning of January. I have been able to gain so much experience during my time with Grandview Kids. Even with personal protective equipment (PPE) and the safety added for everyone, I have been able to get a great learning experience with Grandview Kids.

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