Brain development

‘The community needs to step up’ says caregiver advocate

Yona Lunsky studies the mental health needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. She works at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Dr. Brian Goldman, White Coat, Black … READ MORE

Cake, balloons, goodbye: What happens when your special needs child ages out of the system

A day with Gilly, a teen with autism and developmental delay on the cusp of aging out of the system – and her parents who are expected to pick up the slack. Gilly is a full-time student at a Toronto school for kids with special … READ MORE

Many parents of children with disabilities don’t make care plans

Fewer than half of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities make long-term plans about who will take over their child’s care if the parent or other relative providing care dies or becomes incapacitated, a … READ MORE

Bad habits, not a bad brain, affect many cerebral palsy patients

Just sitting upright is a battle for two-year-old Jack Pankratz, and so his mother Kim Kucher offers a steady hand and lots of encouragement. The toddler wobbles, even in her arms, as he sways this way and that to look up at the … READ MORE

Calgary kids with disabilities enjoy ‘Go Baby Go’ program

Angelina Shirley was beaming as she watched her three-year-old daughter Sadie drive a toy car for the very first time. Toy cars children can drive around in are a lot of fun for the little ones. And as Gil Tucker shows us, for some … READ MORE

A smart phone app for cerebral palsy screening

Early diagnosis appears key for physiotherapy interventions for cerebral palsy, so researchers have developed an app for parents to video their child for remote screening. Baby Lexi Polonidis is taking part in the Baby Moves and VICS … READ MORE

Canadian study identifies genetic link to cause of cerebral palsy

New, groundbreaking evidence suggests a much stronger underlying genetic link in children with hemiplegic CP – the most common type of CP – than previously thought. Two years. Affectionately Yours Flickr The Hospital for Sick … READ MORE

Online database helps Albertans enrol in clinical trials

Research is helping develop new treatments, strategies and surgeries, doctor says. The University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services have teamed up for a campaign encouraging Albertans to sign up for clinical trials. Dr. Michael … READ MORE

Task training seems to improve hand dexterity in kids with cerebral palsy

Task-oriented training (TOT) improves hand dexterity in children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a preliminary study from South Korea. Children with CP often show delayed development, impaired body movement, and limitations in … READ MORE

Seeking one giant leap for a child’s mobility

With public programs stretched, some parents are turning to private therapies to help kids overcome mobility problems – but the jury is still out on their effectiveness. Therapist Sandi Marshall (left) and mother Nancy Grant (right) … READ MORE

A little more hope: ALS patients taking anti-psychotic drug in clinical trial

Cliff Barr has no illusions about how his life is going to end but he still has hope. ALS patient Cliff Barr, left, who is taking part in a new Canada-wide clinical trial to treat ALS, poses in an examination room with tria leader Dr. … READ MORE

Toy cars help kids with disabilities explore movement

Modified vehicles offer independence to children, hope to parents. Khyla Buium, a two-year-old with cerebral palsy, along with her mom Julie were at the Wascana Rehabiliation Centre to demonstrate a modified ride-on car that was … READ MORE

Children with special needs get their own, special Santa time

“I’d drive 1,000 miles for an experience like this.” Harrison Markin, 6 yrs, experiences a giant snow globe and visits Santa and Mrs Claus at Southcentre Mall in southwest Calgary on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The mall hosted a … READ MORE

Umbilical cord blood improves motor skills in some children with cerebral palsy

Randomized clinical trial shows improved motor function in children infused with own cells. An infusion of cells from a child’s own umbilical cord blood appears to improve brain connectivity and motor function in children with … READ MORE

Researchers call on province to fund genetic testing for cerebral palsy

New study shows genetic variations are a factor in 20 per cent of hemiplegic CP cases. What was thought to be an almost entirely environmental disorder has a significant genetic component. – Stephen Scherer, Hospital for Sick … READ MORE

Video game improves balance in youth with autism

Playing a video game that rewards participants for holding various “ninja” poses could help children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve their balance, according to a recent study in the Journal of Autism and … READ MORE

Fine-tuning orthotic device prescription and fitting in CP

Half of those diagnosed with cerebral palsy have been prescribed standard AFOs to aid in walking, according to United Cerebral Palsy and the CDC. A patient with CP at Shriners Hospital for Children—Chicago wearing his customized … READ MORE

Campus club challenges stigma faced by children with disabilities

Taking Strides is a student-run, non-profit initiative which aims to promote and refine physical literacy amongst children with mental and physical disabilities. We accomplish this through an adaptive program which incorporates 1-on-1 … READ MORE

A country for all children to thrive

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on our commitment to inclusion and diversity. Yet, when it comes to disabilities, this pride doesn’t match reality. Put simply – rather than inclusion, the every day experience of many … READ MORE

Uncovering origins of developmental brain disorders

UAlberta research gives new insight into healthy brain development. Recent research discoveries in the development of brain disorders could pave the way to new therapies for treating seizures, and even some children with autism, says … READ MORE

Georgia psycho-educational schools an unconstitutional ‘dumping ground,’ new suit claims

Libby Beem was home-schooled so she would not have to attend a psycho-educational facility where experiments had been planned to deal with her behavioral issues. Bob Andres, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Libby Beem is completing … READ MORE

A safe space for kids with special needs: Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics

Finding fun outside of the home can be difficult for children with special needs and their families. Thankfully, Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics gives kids with special needs and disabilities the perfect place to learn and play. The … READ MORE

Let me show you what I can do: A woman with special needs answers our questions

Melanie Reach is a 24-year-old Shorewood woman who has cerebral palsy. After over 20 years living with the neurological disorder, she has a lot to share with the world about the condition, the importance of kids with special needs … READ MORE

Mobility is a key factor in self–care independence for kids with cerebral palsy

Mobility influences the ability of children with cerebral palsy (CP) to carry out self–care activities independently, a finding that could help in the designing of treatment plans and improved development, new research from South … READ MORE

Soccer team for kids with disabilities raise money with lemonade stand

WRIGLEYVILLE — On your way to the Cubs game Saturday, you might notice a lemonade stand manned by a particularly enthusiastic 8-year-old with an infectious smile. Cormac Friedlander (center) poses with family members during a … READ MORE

Dear Everybody campaign aims to end stigma around disability

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital has launched a five-year push to make Canada more inclusive. “I’ve dealt with stigma my whole life because of my cerebral palsy,” Jadine Baldwin says. Steve Russell, Toronto … READ MORE

Family loses fight for autistic son to have service dog in class

Ontario’s human rights tribunal has ruled that a nine-year-old autistic boy in Waterloo, Ont. can’t bring his service dog with him into class. The decision says Kenner Fee’s family failed to prove that having his … READ MORE

7 things I want my teachers to know as a disabled student

It’s that time of year again. School is starting — hear that sound? It’s thousands of parents cheering! As a disabled high school student in mainstream classes, these are the top seven things I hope my new teachers understand. … READ MORE

Reminiscing and hoping for a successful school year

As I say every year, I cannot believe how fast summer goes by, and I’m a mom of two. Back-to-school time always has me reflect on my own school days. Having cerebral palsy and going through the school system is quite an experience. … READ MORE

Understanding hypotonia

Diagnostic challenges should not delay clinical intervention. Hypotonia, or abnormally low muscle tone, is by itself not a disorder but a symptom of an enormous array of issues—many of which can be difficult to diagnose accurately. … READ MORE

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