Since we last connected, many exciting events have happened. I was pleased to meet so many Grandview families during McHappy Day. Thanks to everyone who supported the Grandview Kids Foundation by volunteering, fundraising and spreading the word.



We also welcomed an exciting guest to Grandview Kids headquarters last month: the new Minister of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), the Honourable Michael Parsa. He is new to this role, being appointed in March 2023. We were the first Children’s Treatment Centre he has visited – an incredible honour! Minister Parsa met with our leadership team and observed clients and caregivers in the Centre. We advocated strongly for continued and enhanced support for Grandview Kids and the community we serve.

Minister Parsa visiting Grandview Kids' Main Site in Oshawa, ON.

From left to right: Grandview Kids Board Chair, Jeremy Harness; Executive Lead, Clinical and Client Services, Leslie Suite; Chief Executive Officer, Tom McHugh; Medical Director, Dr. Carolyn Hunt; Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Hon. Michael Parsa.

This month, we celebrate Father’s Day. As a dad to four daughters, two of whom have developmental needs, I personally understand the unique challenges and rewards of fatherhood. Research tells us that male caregivers are involved with their children/youth in different ways, and they also want to be connected to supports in different ways. That’s why we are looking for dads and male caregivers to complete this short survey to help us form a new working group as part of our Family Leader Program (read more below).

June is also Pride Month. I wish the Grandview Kids community a joyous celebration of love, acceptance and inclusivity – something we cherish and promote at Grandview in many ways. We recognize that members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community face unique challenges. Pride Month is a time to acknowledge the struggles that members of this community have faced and continue to face, as well as the progress we have made toward a more just and equitable society.

During Pride Month and every other month, let us continue to work towards fostering a community where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are. Join us in celebrating the diversity that makes our community so vibrant and special.

Sincerely, 

Tom McHugh

CEO, Grandview Kids 

The Family Leader Program at Grandview Kids comprises parents, caregivers, clients and siblings who support Grandview Kids as our advocates, ambassadors and advisors. The Family Leader Program, supported by staff from our Family Engagement Team, includes many forums for families, caregivers and clients to get involved to make a difference for others in their community who access Grandview Kids programs and services.

We offer networking and support groups across Durham Region and beyond. Through feedback Grandview Kids has received from clients and caregivers, we know that fathers and male caregivers are often an overlooked group. Dads and male caregivers are involved with their children/youth in different ways, and they also want to be connected to supports in different ways. This is your chance to tell Grandview Kids exactly what that could look like! We are about to launch our father and male caregiver networking and support group.

Please complete this short survey to let us know your needs and interests as a father or male caregiver to a Grandview Kids client. If you indicate you are interested in participating, a member of our Family Engagement Team will reach out using the information you have provided.

Grandview Kids Archives

Grandview Kids celebrates its 70^th anniversary in 2023. For seven decades, we have provided high-quality, family-centred rehabilitation services to children and youth with communication, physical and developmental needs in Durham Region. Join us as we pull something “from the archives” in every newsletter to showcase meaningful moments in the history of Grandview Kids.

In June every year, the Grandview Kids Board of Trustees hosts an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to reflect on and showcase accomplishments in the previous fiscal year. To honour this upcoming event, let's look back at meeting notes from our 1981 AGM (pictured top left below). You can also see old Annual Reports from 1998 and 2001 (top right), which are traditionally launched at each AGM. We even have the guest book dating back to our eighth annual Parent Council meeting in 1961 (bottom left).

Get involved, stay connected

When and how to contact Grandview Kids

We understand that there are many reasons you may need to contact Grandview Kids. We do our best to respond to each and every inquiry in a timely way. The easiest way to get in touch with us is by using the "Contact Us" page on our website.

Join our Online Parent Support

(OPS) groups

Our Family Engagement Team moderates three Online Parent Support (OPS) pages, available on Facebook. The Team is comprised of caregivers to Grandview clients and former clients (grads), who use their lived experience and specialized training to support others in their journey.

The online support pages are for caregivers by caregivers, offering at-your-fingertip access to peer support, networking and resource sharing.

There are three online support groups you may be eligible to join:

1. OPS: This is a general page, available to all Grandview families. Go to facebook.com/groups/Grandview.OPS. Then click on “Join Group” near the top right-hand corner.
2. TAPS – Transition Adolescent Parent Support Group: This is a page for caregivers to youth, aged 15 or older, who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood health or social services. Go to www.facebook.com/groups/grandviewtaps/. Then click on “Join Group” near the top right-hand corner.
3. OAP Info: This group is a forum to share information and resources with families to help navigate the OAP (Ontario Autism Program) and Grandview’s Autism Services. It is offered as a Foundational Family Service. Providing an OAP number is required to join this group. Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/oap.info/. Then click on “Join Group” near the top right-hand corner.

You must have a Facebook account to join these groups. They are closed (non-public forums). Anyone can request to join the group, but only those verified as parents/guardians of Grandview Kids will be approved to join by the Group Administrator.

You can speed up the approval process by sending an email to the Group Administrator (familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca) asking them for permission to join the group. You should never include personal health information in these messages. If you are looking for additional help from our Family Engagement Team, please reach out to the email above.

Building a more inclusive community

At Grandview Kids, we aim to actively contribute to a community that is inclusive and accepting of all abilities. Our Ability Acceptance Program is available to local businesses, schools, licensed child care centres and community groups. The goal is to enhance the understanding and acceptance of all abilities and promote inclusive practices. We have two presentations available: general ability acceptance and autism acceptance.

Through this program, we offer:

• Presenters with lived experience (Grandview clients or caregivers)
• Presentations tailored to all audiences, including adults, youth and children (starting in Grade 6)
• Virtual and in-person options



For more information or to request a presentation, please complete this form or visit our website. You can also view our Ability Acceptance vlog series on our Instagram page, under "highlights."

Program spotlight: Complex Care

We celebrated the second anniversary of the Durham Region Paediatric Complex Care Program last month. Delivered in partnership with Sick Kids Toronto, Lakeridge Health and Home and Community Care Support Services Central East, the program offers families of children with medical complexity and technology dependence access to care closer to home. The closeness of care strengthens the connections between community providers.

Our Complex Care Program boasts an extensive team of healthcare professionals, including a Sick Kids paediatrician, a Sick Kids nurse practitioner, a Care Coordinator from Home and Community Care Support Services (formerly LHIN), a Grandview Kids Peer Navigator and Grandview Kids clinicians, such as an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Recreational Therapist, Social Worker and Dietitian.

Our Complex Care Program has the first Peer Navigator role of its kind in Canada in a clinic setting. Peer Navigators, who have personal experience as caregivers, provide vital emotional support and advocacy and help connect clients and caregivers with necessary resources and services. Additionally, Peer Navigators help bridge the communication gap in situations where language barriers or cultural differences may be a challenge. Our Complex Care Peer Navigator also host twice-weekly coffee chats, providing a forum for connections between clinic families, which can be a source of mutual support and the sharing of experiences and knowledge.

What we’ve heard from Complex Care Program caregivers:

We look forward to continuing to build the Complex Care Program with our dedicated partners, helping to bring care closer to home for families in Durham Region.

Project spotlight: Getting ready for Kindergarten

Starting school for the first time is a big adventure. Helping your child get ready will make it more successful and fun. Over the next few months, there are lots of fun things you can do together to get ready for Kindergarten in the fall! This video goes over some of these ideas in more detail.

Building independence:

• Look for clothes without buttons. Try to find shoes with elastic shoe laces or Velcro. Practice with zippers. 
• Being able to pull their own pants up and down and put on their own shoes and coats makes school easier for kids starting Kindergarten.
• Spend time going on picnics this summer at your local park, or just even try lunch outside at home, using the containers or lunch box for school. Make sure your child can open the containers by themselves. 

Practicing fine motor skills:

There are lots of fun things to do that will help get your child’s hands ready for printing, colouring and using scissors. 

• Playing in sand and playdough, colouring with chalk, squirting water toys and building legos are all great activities. 
• If you want to practice printing and colouring, find small crayons and pencil crayons to practice holding.
• Colour lying down and on paper taped to the wall to build strength.
• Help your child learn to recognize letters and their name through puzzles, scavenger hunts, tracing and copying. Letters should always start at the top. 
• Find fun things to cut – plasticine, licorice strings and straws are just a few. Crafts like snipping paper to make grass or making lanterns or paper ring chains are great when learning to cut.

Creating routines and consistency:

Learning to follow routines and sit in a group are also very important skills. 

• Consider finding local Early On events, library events or other activities in your neighbourhood to join. 
• A consistent morning and bedtime routine will help build good habits for school.

School-Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS)

Grandview Kids provides School-Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS) across Durham Region and in some parts of Scarborough. This includes Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy at school.

Our SBRS therapists support goals focused on challenges at school. They consult and collaborate with the school team and caregivers to find tips and tools for the student.

If you have a Grandview Kids therapist now, they can help make the referral to our school-based programs. Grandview Kids' Speech-Language Pathologists will work with you and your child on speech sound goals. The School Board Speech Language Pathologist will work with you on any language goals. Depending on your child’s needs, they may be seen quickly, but most children go on a waitlist for SBRS. Talk with your Grandview Kids Early Years therapist about more ways you prepare your child for school by practicing at home.

Your voice matters

Ask us anything

Got a question about Grandview Kids? Send it our way for possible inclusion in a future edition of the Gather newsletter. Do not include personal health information in your questions. We will not respond to questions regarding individual care plans.

Last month, people asked:

“What speech and language resources do you have for autistic children who are newly diagnosed?"

We provide a number of Autism Services at Grandview Kids. This fact sheet outlines all program options, including the age of eligibility.

Our free Foundational Family Services Workshops are available to children and youth under 18 and their families registered with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). A few of these workshops focus on speech and language development. Click on each workshop link below to learn more.

• Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) at home
• Communication Success
• Self-regulation
• An Introduction to Toilet Training
• What is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)?
• Social Skills

You must register for Foundational Family Services on My Community Hub. You need an OAP number to register.

“What social groups and networking opportunities do you have for autistic youth, ages 9-12?”

Children’s Friendship Training helps neurodiverse children and youth ages 7 to 10 (who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder or similar neurodevelopmental disorders) who have trouble making or keeping friends through skill-building group sessions. This group is overseen by a qualified service provider (a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst) and falls under the Ontario Autism Program’s (OAP) Core Clinical Services.

Register here >

Beyond the Walls is a program created to encourage independence, wellness, improved mental health, community involvement, joy and resilience in neurodivergent adolescents (ages 13 to 19, who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or similar neurodevelopmental disorders).

The next program is focused on mental wellness.

Register here >

"How can people subscribe to this newsletter?"

Subscribing to Gather by Grandview is as simple as following this link! The only mandatory field to enter is your email address. After entering your email address, click the blue "Subscribe" button, and a confirmation will appear, letting you know that you've successfully subscribed to Gather.

If you have any questions about this process, please email communications@grandviewkids.ca.

Research Opportunities

These are three studies that are actively recruiting participants. Read more about all research opportunities, including how to sign up for the studies listed below, on our website.

1. Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) 2.0 – Towards the new gold standard in measuring family-centred service: Field-testing the new MPOC 2.0 – The purpose of this study is to develop an up-to-date tool that will accurately measure caregivers’ experiences of the delivery of pediatric healthcare services. Researchers want to learn about caregivers’ experiences with the way health care services are delivered in the present day, based on what they report they need, want and expect from these services.
2. Illustrating Inequities: The SANI Project – Are you between the ages of 13 and 24 years with a disability? Do you identify yourself as a racialized person? Are you a parent/caregiver or healthcare provider of a racialized child with a disability? Would you like to help contribute important changes to the healthcare system? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your healthcare experiences and any challenges you’ve faced in accessing or providing services and resources.
3. Childhood Cerebral Palsy Integrated Neuroscience Discovery Network (CP-NET) – Research Database – The CP-NET Research Database is an Ontario Brain Institute funded research project. We are collecting information to better understand how many kids are affected by Cerebral Palsy (CP) in different parts of Ontario and what causes CP so that we can improve care and treatments.

Three reasons to get involved in research and innovation:

Questions? Email research@grandviewkids.ca or check out the “Research” tab on the top menu of our website.

Events and important dates

Annual General Meeting: June 22, 2023, at 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

At our Annual General Meeting (AGM), we will reflect on achievements in our 2022-23 fiscal year and celebrate Grandview Kids' 70th anniversary, honouring our rich and meaningful history as a family-centred, paediatric rehabilitation provider in Durham Region. This event is open to the public, but space is limited, so registration is required to attend. Click here to register.

Family Engagement events

Find all Family Engagement and Grandview Kids-hosted events here on our website!

Family Engagement Coffee Chat: Every Thursday in June

• More information on the Facebook OPS page or by emailing familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca.

SSAH Paperwork Party: Tuesday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m.

• In-person at Oshawa Main site
• Pre-register by emailing familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca

Binder Bootcamp: Monday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m.

• In-person at Oshawa Main site
• Pre-register by emailing familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca

Park Playdate: Tuesday, June 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• In-person in outdoor playground at Oshawa Main site
• No registration required – just show up to meet other Grandview families!

Adolescent Transition Coffee Chat: Tuesday, June 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• More information on the Facebook TAPS page or by emailing familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca

Park Playdate: Tuesday, June 27, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• In-person at outdoor playground at Oshawa Main site
• No registration required – just show up to meet other Grandview families!

Purchased Services offerings

Mediator Model

Goals are determined based on client and parent/caregiver input and assessment outcomes. A broad range of goal areas can be focused on, which may include: behaviour management, communication, play skills, self-care, job readiness, motor skills, etc. (one to four goals are often focused on at a time in this service). This service option is appropriate for children up to the age of 18.

• (ABA) Mediator Availability Oshawa: Register here
• (ABA) Mediator Availability Whitby: Register here
• (ABA) Mediator Availability Virtual: Register here

Foundational Applied Skills Training (F.A.S.T.) Model

Foundational skills are the focus of goals in this program. Skill domains of focus could include: communication, play skills, behaviour management, imitation, self-care, and motor skills, to name a few (five or more goals are often focused on at a time in this service). This service option is most appropriate for children under 11 who would benefit from skill development in various developmental domains.

• (ABA) FAST Availability Oshawa: Register here
• (ABA) FAST Availability Whitby: Register here

Respite Services

Provides caregivers with a break while children and youth are provided with opportunities to learn and enjoy recreational activities with peers.

• Saturday Respite Availability (ages 13-18 yrs): Register here
• Saturday Respite Availability (ages 6-12 yrs): Register here

Let’s Get Active

This program promotes physical activity, physical literacy and socialization.

• Summer Session of Let's Get Active (ages 7-12 yrs): Register here
• Summer Session of Let's Get Active (ages 13-18 yrs): Register here

Dates of significance

Spina Bifida Awareness Month

June is Spina Bifida awareness month. The words “spina bifida” are Latin that mean “split spine.” As babies develop in the womb, the bones that protect the spinal cord do not form completely. This is known as a neural tube defect. Spina Bifida can happen anywhere along the spine. There are four main types.

Source: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=848&language=English

Treatment and care look different for each person, depending on how Spina Bifida has formed. The important part is that children with spina bifida live full and happy lives, just like their peers.

As Spina Bifida often forms before 28 weeks of gestation, it is important we raise awareness of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. You can read more about the benefits of folic acid and the ways to get involved in spina bifida awareness days by visiting the following websites:

• About Kids Health: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=848&language=English
• Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada: https://sbhac.ca/
• Spina Bifida Families of Canada: https://sbcan.ca/

Physiotherapy Month

In May, we celebrated Physiotherapy Month. The theme for this year is Physiotherapy: Leading Action Toward Better Pain Management and Rehabilitation. We want to thank our Physiotherapists (PTs) and Physiotherapy Assistants (PTAs); their specialized skills help so many children and youth every year.



Here are a couple of quotes from the PTs and PTAs about why they love working as a PT or PTA at Grandview Kids!

Scoliosis Awareness Month

Scoliosis Awareness Month is observed in June each year to increase awareness and understanding of scoliosis, a medical condition characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, forming "S" or "C" shapes instead of a straight line. This condition can range from mild to severe and can occur at different stages of life, with idiopathic scoliosis being the most common form.



The severity can vary and affect different parts of the spine. Idiopathic Scoliosis, which has an unknown cause, impacts about 3% of children and is usually noticed between ages 4 to17. It can be associated with other conditions like muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. X-rays are used to measure the curve and rotation of the spine, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning.

To manage scoliosis and prevent the curvature from worsening or alleviate associated pain, various interventions are available. By increasing awareness, providing support, advocating for improved care, and fostering a sense of community, Scoliosis Awareness Month plays a crucial role in improving the lives of individuals affected by scoliosis. It aims to promote early detection, early treatments and overall well-being for those living with this condition.

Grandview Kids Foundation

We would like to thank our volunteers, supporters and our families for an amazing McHappy Day! It was a beautiful day, full of kindness, love and support. We are blown away by the generosity of our community across Durham Region.

We were also thrilled to be selected as the charity of choice for the Ajax Mayor’s Gala! The Gala will take place on Saturday, June 3, at the Audley Recreation Centre. We are looking for a few more volunteers to assist with tasks, such as games supervisor, registration, sponsor table concierges, coat check, stage hands to assist with set-up/clean up, way-finding, etc. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact foundation@grandviewkids.ca for more information.

The Foundation is also looking for a part-time office administrator. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact foundation@grandviewkids.ca.

How did you like this issue of Gather? Share your feedback and suggestions via this survey to help us make the newsletter better for everyone.

Content in Gather is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor. Views expressed in posts and resources listed do not signify endorsement by Grandview Kids.