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Advocating for one’s family or one’s self happens on a daily basis. “Advocacy” can mean many things, but in general, it refers to recognizing something is not right and taking action. Another name for it could be assertiveness. Advocacy simply involves speaking and acting on behalf of yourself or others (Disability Rights Wisconsin, 2007). We may negotiate with other individuals, businesses, organizations, government agencies to be treated fairly…
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Diversity is our reality but inclusion is a conscious choice that we must make to ensure that every person feels welcome and accepted. When people feel included they participate, contribute and express themselves safely and freely. Diversity makes us better and stronger when we know how to tap into its potential. Below is a collection of useful links and resources to deepen our understanding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in order to better s…
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Looking Through a Trauma Informed Lens Part 2 In Part 1: Understanding Stress and Trauma we learned that stress and trauma can significantly impact children’s health, development and overall wellbeing. Trauma can influence how children interact with others and their environment. When a child experiences stress or trauma, the survival brain may be activated and take control of how the child responds. The problem arises when the brain is in a cons…
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Fact Sheet What is Pica Disorder? Pica (Disorder) is the craving to eat non-food items, such as dirt, paint chips, and clay. Some children, especially preschool children, exhibit Pica. Pica is prevalent among individuals having developmental disorders including autism, individuals with an intellectual disability, and among young children age two to three years. Very young children are not able to look at an object and determine if it is edible, s…
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…s, communication delays, and/or developmental disabilities is confirmed. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association published the Developmental Statistical Manual 5th edition (DSM–5). In previous editions individuals could be diagnosed with Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). The DSM-5 now encompasses all four diagnoses under the umbrell…
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…language development?” A recent study about baby sign A controlled study in 2013 by researchers in Hertfordshire, England used better scientific methods in order to determine the effects of baby sign on language development and on the mother-child bond [2]. Dr. Elizabeth Kirk and her team wanted to study this topic in order to provide sound evidence regarding the usefulness of baby sign products and classes. They studied forty babies (and their mo…
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Looking through a Trauma Informed Lens Part 3 Stress and trauma can significantly impact a child’s health, development and wellbeing and can influence how they interact with others and their environment. Parts 1 and 2 of this series on “Looking through a Trauma Informed Lens” identifies how childhood experiences of stressful and/or trauma can activate the survival brain. When this happens, the child’s brain shifts to a heightened state of surviva…
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…ning and Facilitation Person Directed Planning & Facilitation Guide , MCCSS 2013 This Guide is a first step in recording what the ministry has learned to-date about person-directed planning and facilitation in Ontario. Given that person-directed planning and facilitation is an emerging profession, it is a first effort to capture and record a vision of what good practice looks like in Ontario. As the profession and practice of person-directed plann…
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