In this issue of Gather, we introduce a Table of Contents, helping you more easily navigate to sections you’re interested in. Thanks to the reader who made this suggestion in our last feedback survey. If you have other ideas about how to improve Gather, or questions about Grandview Kids, please submit them via our “Ask us anything” form. We enjoy hearing from you about what’s important and how we can make this a meaningful resource for all Grandview Kids families.



Last month, we also received a number of comments about the wait times many families experience after being referred to Grandview Kids. This is an unfortunate reality, one that we have struggled with for a long time.

Program spotlight: Family Engagement

Our Family Engagement Team (FET) is comprised of caregivers to Grandview Kids clients and former clients (grads), who use their lived experience and specialized training to support other parents, caregivers and clients in their journey. Caring for a child or youth with physical, communication or developmental needs can leave some caregivers feeling isolated and alone. By offering peer support, mentoring and education from individuals who have first-hand, personal experiences, we are cultivating an authentic, non-judgmental environment where families feel empowered, understood and supported.

Grandview Kids is a leader in Family Engagement, building the premier program within Ontario’s CTC sector, which has garnered national and international recognition. We are one of few programs of this kind in Canada.

Grandview Kids' Family Engagement Team (missing two members)

The FET is integrated into the multidisciplinary care approach at Grandview Kids, supporting our Complex Care Program, Ontario Autism Program and Adolescent Transition Program. We also offer Family Engagement services through Online Parent Support (OPS) pages, help with filling out paperwork and funding applications, caregiver education sessions and coffee chats, and our lending ‘Resource Library.’

In addition, our Family Leader Program – comprised of all those who serve as Grandview Kids ambassadors, advisors and advocates – is overseen by our FET; this includes our Family Advisory Council (YAC), Youth Advisory Council (YAC), Working Groups and volunteer Ambassador Program.

One key thing the FET does is host events and networking activities throughout the year to support Grandview Kids clients and caregivers. Popular ones include accessible Trick-or-Treating, Sensory Santa, Resource Fair, Park Playdates and Youth Meetups. These events provide amazing opportunities for parents, siblings, clients, family members and others to meet people who share similar experiences. Connections are made that inspire fun, friendship, learning and advocacy.

Photo taken at the Complex Care Program Networking Event hosted by the FET.

Photo taken at a Park Playdate hosted by the FET at the playground at our Oshawa Main Site.

To get connected to the Grandview Kids Family Engagement Team, please email familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca.

Seeking Grandview Kids Ambassadors

The Ambassador Program was created to give Grandview Kids families an opportunity to share their journey with the community.

Ambassador Families must have and/or had a child or youth receiving services at Grandview Kids. These families have a passionate story to tell of how much Grandview Kids has made a difference in their lives. They also provide a strong message about the importance of giving in order to help children and youth with communication, physical and developmental needs in our community. Through the Program, Ambassadors share their stories in an authentic and personal manner, allowing emotion and the power of experience to resonate.



If you would like to join the Ambassador Program, please email familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca to express your interest. Don’t miss this chance to tell your story to make a difference for other families in your community!

From the Archives

At Grandview Kids, we have always been extremely grateful for the outpouring of support that we have received from our community. For this month’s glance into the Archives, we would like to take you back to the 1950s when we received one of our first donations: a television (TV). The TV was donated by Sunbeam Chapter No. 73, Eastern Star, and purchased at the local Oshawa Loblaws. Pictured in the photo from left to right: Mrs. Rachel Cooper, Mrs. Alice Leaman, Mrs. Bruce Glover, and Miss. Sybil Langmaid. Photo courtesy of Oshawa This Week.

If you have Grandview Kids stories or artifacts you would like to add to our growing collection, please email communications@grandviewkids.ca.

Want to hear more about Grandview

Kids' history?

Click here to watch the first episode of our #ArchiveMoments series, led by Grandview Kids’ Archivist, Mitchell Daniels. In this Archive Moment, Mitchell discusses the first meeting of the Oshawa and District Cerebral Palsy Parents Council (now Grandview Kids) in the 1950s!

Your voice matters

Spring/Summer 2023 Caregiver Experience Survey: Results

Earlier this year, we asked caregivers to share their feedback and opinions on Grandview Kids programs and services. From 130 responses, we found that 92% of respondents felt like they were treated with courtesy and respect at their last appointment. To see an infographic summary of the survey results, click the button below.

Ask us anything

Got a question about Grandview Kids? Send it our way for possible inclusion in a future edition of the Gather newsletter. Submit your questions in this survey.

Last month, people asked:

“How will clients and families be engaged throughout the Strategic Planning process?”

Our Family Advisory Council (FAC) will participate in a dedicated engagement session, where they will suggest priorities for the organization’s next Strategic Plan. Once similar engagement sessions are complete with all Grandview Kids’ stakeholders, the FAC will once again have a chance to review, endorse and provide feedback on the proposed Strategic Plan during its development phase. Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will also participate in a focus group, ensuring both client and caregiver perspectives guide us throughout the strategic planning process. Further, an online survey will be released in Fall 2023, where any Grandview Kids client/caregiver can provide feedback to inform our strategic planning process. The survey will be promoted on our website, social media and in flyers at Grandview Kids sites. You are our most important partners in care and your voice matters as we plan for our future!

“What informs your policy decisions around certain types of therapies? Why do you not support CIMT therapy, kinesiotaping or tens/ems, despite a lot of recent research, especially for the CIMT and TENS? My therapists over the years have never been able to answer why these things are policies. How am I supposed to get access to this information?”

Thanks for your question! Grandview Kids strives to provide an evidence-informed model of care. This means we find a balance between high-quality research, clinical expertise, and each family’s unique needs. Grandview Kids clinicians work with you to assess your child or youth’s needs, understanding your/their goals, and work with you to develop a care plan. If you have concerns about your child/youth’s care plan, call our main line and ask to talk to the clinical leader with oversight for the program area that your child/youth receives care.

To address concerns related to the listed therapies in this question:

• Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is an evidence-based motor therapy that aims to improve arm and hand function for infants and children with arm and hand asymmetry and suspected or diagnosed hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Grandview Kids can do CIMT, even hosting a camp with this focus in the past, but participation was low, so it was discontinued after a few years. CIMT was approved through our formal internal clinical review process. Most CIMT is very labour intensive, so is not something Grandview Kids can consistently provide due to the long hours required. However, we can provide coaching to caregivers, should they wish to proceed with this therapy at home. We also have therapists that have casted and provided splints to support constraint for a child.
• Kinesio^TM Taping may be used to used to reduce pain, swelling, improve strength, encourage optimal alignment and decrease muscle fatigue. We can provide this therapy, based on clinical need and assessment of a client’s needs.
• A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine is a small, portable and battery-operated device which is worn on the body to help treat chronic pain. There are currently few studies that show strong evidence in support of TENS for the general paediatric population. In order for Grandview Kids to adopt TENS as a reliable, safe option for families, the quality of evidence must be presented in the published scientific research, sharing the risks and benefits to this approach.

"How does Grandview Kids update their clinical practices?"

The Interprofessional Practice Team (IPT) is a group of expert clinicians representing each discipline at Grandview Kids. The IPT welcomes all clinicians and physicians to submit ideas for practice improvement through the IPOC process: Information Practice and Outcomes Committee. Through this work, Grandview Kids IPT thoroughly assesses the scientific evidence supporting the idea, the feasibility of the new therapy/treatment/equipment, and the potential impact it will have on clients and caregivers. This is a thoughtful process. The IPT takes their role very seriously and commits to continuous improvements that are safe and meaningful.

“Why are there such long waitlists if you say you deliver early intervention?”

Grandview Kids continues to optimize its operations to deliver innovative, evidence-informed, equitable care to our clients and their caregivers. Every member of Team Grandview comes to work every day, exemplifying compassionate, quality care in their approach. Our shared goal remains to help every child and youth live life at their full potential, which includes accessing early interventions for communication, physical and developmental needs.

Like so much of the health care system, funding for Children’s Treatment Centres (CTCs) has not kept up to demand. In 2021, CTCs received the first increase to base funding in 11 years; this meant that for over a decade, demand increased, without the resources to support meeting that need, creating significant wait times for children and families requiring rehabilitation services.

We were reassured by the government’s most recent investment into the paediatric health system, announced on July 19. This additional base funding increase was allotted based on local needs and population growth. This is especially important to Grandview Kids, as Durham Region is one of Ontario’s fastest growing communities, with regional growth outpacing the provincial average. Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington are within the top fastest growing municipalities in Ontario; 18% of our population are children between the ages of birth and 14 years, with an additional 6% who are youth ages 15 to 19 years. These demographic changes, combined with increasing complexity of needs in our client population, have put incredible pressure on our organization… but this also translates across the entire paediatric health care system.

Harnessing innovative care models, the passion and excellence of Team Grandview, and now – more sustainable resources, we are able to re-focus our efforts on addressing our waitlist. This will be a significant focus of our new Strategic Plan, currently under development. We will continue to deliver evidence-informed programs and services to improve outcomes for our children and youth, while considering new ways to optimize supports and services (e.g., group-based therapies, caregiver-mediated sessions and coaching, tiered models, etc.) to better serve our community.

Community corner

Elexicon Energy Awards – call for nominations

Elexicon Energy is a proud and longstanding supporter of Grandview Kids. In partnership with the Grandview Kids Foundation, Elexicon Energy is hosting a fundraising dinner on October 19. The event is called “Dream Big, Dream Brighter.”

We are asking staff and families to submit nominations for the “The Spirit of Grandview Kids Awards,” which will be presented at the event on October 19. There will be TWO awards: one for a current client, and one for a former client (grad). Families/caregivers can self-nominate their child who is or was a Grandview Kids client.

The Spirit of Grandview Kids Awards will be presented to winners who:

• Embody Grandview Kids’ values (caring and commitment, whole child and family centred, trust and respect, innovation and continuous learning, accountability and excellence);
• Have achieved their goals – inchstones, milestones, reducing barriers for others – we know “success” looks different and means different things to different clients and their caregivers, and we want to celebrate it all; and,
• Dream big, and wants to make the future brighter for them and other Grandview Kids.

How to submit a nomination: If this sounds like a client (current or former) that you know, please send a few sentences describing why they deserve to win to familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca. The Family Engagement Team will anonymise each nomination and provide them to Elexicon Energy. Elexicon will select the winners, who will be notified by Grandview staff.



Nominations are due by Monday, Sept. 18. If you have questions, please email familyengagement@grandviewkids.ca.

Ajax Public Library

Head into fall with Ajax Public Library, with a number of fun and insightful activities!

• Outdoor Explorers with Abilities Centre: Designed to get everyone outside on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Open to children, youth and families of all ages and abilities with a different activity each week. Sessions will be outside the Library's Main Branch, and run by Abilities Centre staff. Click here for more information.
• September 23: Nature Bingo
• October 21: Competitive Games
• Bird Watching Kit: Check out this kit on your library card and discover the birds in your neighbourhood.
• October is Dyslexia Awareness Month: Celebrate with the new decodable book collection supported by the International Dyslexia Association.

Upcoming events and programs

Family Engagement events

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

Park Playdates

• When: The last three Tuesdays (12th, 19th and 26th) in September, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
• Where: Grandview Kids' Oshawa Main Site - 600 Townline Rd. S., Oshawa (in the playground)

No registration is required to attend Park Playdates.

Please note: There are no themes for the September Park Playdates.

Let's Get Active Program

Let’s Get Active is a program for children and youth with developmental disabilities, including Autism, that promotes physical activity, physical literacy and socialization.

• Click here to register your child (ages 7 to 12) in the program
• Click here to register your youth (ages 13 - 18) in the program

Photo taken at the ages 7-12 Let's Get Active session.

Photo taken at the ages 13-18 Let's Get Active session.

Grandview Kids Foundation

Golf Fore Grandview Kids Golf Charity Classic

We're still riding high on the excitement of the Golf Fore Grandview Kids Charity Golf Classic that took place on August 10. The participation of our sponsors and golfers, and the support from our volunteers, made all the difference. We can't thank you enough for everyone’s dedication and support.

The turnout was beyond our expectations, and the enthusiasm throughout the day added a vibrant energy to the event. From the satisfying *thwack* of the clubs to the friendly competition and shared laughter, the day was an absolute blast. The mouthwatering food and the thrill of winning prizes added an extra layer of fun to the event.

Mark your calendars, because we're already gearing up for another exciting Golf Fore Grandview Kids event next year. Until then, please stay tuned for updates on the incredible impact everyone’s participation has had the Grandview Kids community.

Get Active Challenge

The Get Active Challenge has officially wrapped up, and we're thrilled to announce that the winners will be revealed shortly. Get ready to celebrate the top individual and team champions!

A huge shout-out to all those who joined us in this Get Active journey. Your involvement truly counts, and we're grateful for your dedication to making this summer event a success. Your contribution has left a positive impact that will ripple through our community.



As summer transitions into the back-to-school season, we hope you carry this energy forward. Keep finding ways to stay active – it's not just a challenge… it's a lifestyle! Thank you again for being a part of our active community.

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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.