Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 16h

#WANTITALL #CanadasTeam #BlueJays #WorldSeries2025 ⚾🇨🇦

@bluejays.com

Split image: Top shows a border crossing at night with "Canada Closed Tonight" sign. Bottom depicts jubilant Toronto Blue Jays players in a stadium.

1 2

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Sue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 1d

I think something that's happened with the narrative around behaviour is that there's a lot of focus on 'managing' young people who find classroom environments challenging rather than thinking about how to adapt classroom environments ahead of time. The system would benefit from more flexibility. 🤷‍♀️

4 12 50

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint @endseclusion.bsky.social · 18d

A new article from our friend Anne Borden King reminds us that the autism research world has a long history of getting autism wrong. https://endseclusion.info/48vKBl4 #EndSeclusion

A brief history of autism research: What science got wrong

Chapter 1, pt. 3 of The Children Do Not Consent, by Anne Borden King

endseclusion.info

10 12

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 1d

But we also acknowledge that the #OAP is discriminatory

Neurodivergent (but not autistic) & disabled children DON'T have a comparable program like the OAP for funding & free programs

They need support too

It's time there's an Ontario DISABILITY Program

#ONpoli #autism #neurodiversity #disability

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 1d

While there's a wait for funding, there ARE free supports that families registered in the OAP can access

#OntarioAutismProgram #ONpoli #autism #neurodiversity #OntEd

1

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 1d

Re: 5 year wait

Families were waiting up to 5 yrs for the old Autism Intervention Program (2000-18) & not everyone was eligible for this

This OAP started rolling out in the middle of the COVID lockdown

Core funding just launched in 2021

#autism #ONpoli

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Disability Scoop @disabilityscoop.bsky.social · 2d

#SpecialOlympics is making a plea with Kid Rock after the musician said the R-word during a live television broadcast to describe what he was going as for Halloween. #disabilities #rword

Controversial Rocker Asked To 'Acknowledge The Harm' For Using R-Word On Live TV

Special Olympics is making a plea with Kid Rock after the musician said the R-word during a live television broadcast to describe what he was going as for Halloween.

www.disabilityscoop.com

3 1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · Oct 3

DYK that we're fundraising with Mabel's Labels?

Shop & support us!

Visit mabelslabels.ca/en-CA/fundra... & enter our organization

Thanks for helping us to support parents/caregivers of individuals w/diverse needs!

#HamOnt #autism #neurodiversity #disability #NotForProfit #SupportLocal

Picture has a pair of blue children's shoes, a blue pencil case with an alien motif, two turquoise snack containers and an orange spoon. At the top, text reads "We're fundraising with Mabel's Labels!"

Under the picture, there's a teal coloured box with white text that reads "Mabel's Labels Fundraising. Go to campaigns.mabelslabels.com and choose our organization from the list! Then shop and your labels will ship directly to you with FREE shipping"

1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

cjautismequity.bsky.social @cjautismequity.bsky.social · 1d

“I certainly believe in Autistic people and how much life they can bring by designing their brilliant creations as gifts to us all”
- Joseph Sheppard,CJAE, Vol.2, No.1

Read the full volume here: mulpress.mcmaster.ca/cjae/issue/v...

1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 2d

Autism researchers on why the #ProfoundAutism isn't just unnecessary, it's *dangerous*: "By collapsing co-occurring difficulties etc. into one diagnostic label, it is unlikely that support needs will be met." At TPGA:

thinkingautismguide.com/2023/09/grav... #autism #neurodiversity #autistic

Grave Concerns About Profound Autism

The label "Profound autism" bungles the support needs of autistic people with complex disabilities, and will endanger autistic lives.

thinkingautismguide.com

4 26 57

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Community Living Ontario @clontario.bsky.social · 1d

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Have your say in Ontario’s review of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Student Links success story, and more! Read the full edition: bit.ly/4ojetGr
Sign up to our newsletter: bit.ly/Subscribe-To-UF

1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Thinking Person's Guide to Autism @thinkingautism.com · 6d

"Is your autistic child disinterested in Halloween? Then please don’t force them to participate in Halloween traditions unless they want to. Instead, stay home and do something your child will enjoy, and look forward to. More tips at TPGA:

thinkingautismguide.com/2010/10/havi... #neurodiversity

How to Help Autistic Kids Have the Best Halloween Ever

For a happy Halloween with autistic kids, parents need to be clear-headed, creative, and flexible, and prioritize our kids' needs & stamina.

thinkingautismguide.com

5 44 110

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Disability Justice Network of Ontario @djno.ca · 5d

Friends, there have been waves of landlord and government propaganda for us to consider our fight to #StopBill60 over.

But it is not even close. Read on about what is actually in Bill 60 for us to still beat back.
1/4

1. The image is divided into two main sections. The top section features a red fire alarm pull station on the left, labeled "FIRE" in white text. On the right, text reads: "The Fire isn't out yet.
The fight for tenants is still on. Bill 60 hasn’t gone anywhere, even if we had a starting win.". Below a bold horizontal line, the bottom section is designed with a diagonal purple and yellow split background. Large, bold text in purple and black reads "PROTECT ONTARIO TENANTS" and "STOP BILL 60." At the bottom, a URL, endausterity.ca/bill-60, is presented in white text.

1 3 3

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Kids Brain Health Network @kidsbrainhealth.bsky.social · 6d

The F words for Child Development (family, fun, friends, functioning, fitness, and future) are transforming how we support children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. 💙 Learn more about the F words and explore resources at CanChild’s Knowledge Hub 👉 buff.ly/rWLdJQx

ADHD Awareness Month project feature titled 'F-words for Child Development' promoting holistic, family-centered care. Image shows an adult and child engaged in an activity. Learn More button included.

1 1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 28d

DYK -

we've complied a list of Canadian inclusive businesses, neuro-affirming therapists & autistic artists/authors?

Still a work-in-progress. Please let us know of any places and people that we can add 😁

www.canva.com/design/DAG0a...

#HamOnt #autism #neurodiversity #inclusion

Abstract illustration of four silhouetted heads in various colors, featuring a person with a telescope and organic patterns. Themes of imagination and exploration.

2 1

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 7d

@empoweredkidson.bsky.social Many of your members offer these programs

But they're not being utilized as much they should

Are parents not aware they're available? Are they not the right fit?

Need to really look at making these more accessible & relevant for families

#ONpoli #OAP #autism

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 9d

A group has put out the results of their survey about the Ontario Autism Program

The OAP provides BOTH funding & free programs. While there's a wait for funding, parents can still access free programs

But results show there's low uptake on these programs which is concerning

#autism #OAP 1/4

Screen capture from The OAC Community Service Survey report 2025

There's a bar chart titled "Pillar Programs" shows percentages of OAP access: Entry to School 19%, Urgent Response 17%, Foundational Services 13%, Caregiver Mediated Early Years 9%.

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Empowered Kids Ontario @empoweredkidson.bsky.social · 9d

October is International AAC Awareness Month!

AAC (short for Augmentative and Alternative Communication) includes ways people share their thoughts and ideas without speaking.

#AACAwarenessMonth #EmpoweredKidsOntario #CommunicationForAll

October is International AAC Awareness Month, featuring a child using a laptop, with the hashtag #FunFactFridays.

1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Kids Brain Health Network @kidsbrainhealth.bsky.social · 9d

Opinion | Ontarians with ADHD are waiting years for a diagnosis. Their problems don’t end there

🧠 Although ADHD is one of the most common mental health conditions, getting a diagnosis and treatment remains a major challenge.

Iris Gorfinkel: Ontarians with ADHD are waiting years for a diagnosis. Their problems don’t end there

Unlike other mental health disorders, Ontario has no provincial ADHD strategy. A patient with ADHD should have access to coaching, just as a diabetic sees a dietitian. The return on

www.thestar.com

1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Canadian Down Syndrome Society @cdndownsyndrome.bsky.social · 9d

Did you know the filmmaker behind We Deserve Care has a personal connection to the Down syndrome community?

Huge thanks to Natalie, Drew, and HYTT Films for bringing this story to life.

We’re grateful to collaborate with such passionate members of our community.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Canadian filmmaker and his actor sister behind national ad about aging with Down syndrome | CBC News

For Windsor, Ont., filmmaker Drew Hyttenrauch, it was the chance to do the production of a lifetime and highlight the issue of a growing need in the Down syndrome community — and one he and his sister...

www.cbc.ca

1

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 9d

Parents need to be told about what supports they CAN access & what things they CAN do while waiting for funding

AND providers of these free programs need to be more responsive to family needs

#OAP #autism #ONpoli 4/4

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 9d

Foundational Family Services & CMEY are meant to teach parents about #autism & ways to support their child

Yes therapy, if needed, is important

But autistic children benefit MORE from having the adults around them actually understanding autism & accommodating their neurotype

#OAP #ONpoli 3/4

1

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 9d

Also concerning is the caveat under the stats

NO ONE is saying the free programs in the OAP are a substitute for direct service. They're complementary

BUT they can still be helpful to parents

Not sure where the disconnect is but these programs should be utilized more

#OAP #autism #ONpoli 2/4

1

Balance Support & Self Care Studios @balancesscs.bsky.social · 9d

A group has put out the results of their survey about the Ontario Autism Program

The OAP provides BOTH funding & free programs. While there's a wait for funding, parents can still access free programs

But results show there's low uptake on these programs which is concerning

#autism #OAP 1/4

1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Community Living Ontario @clontario.bsky.social · 9d

The wait is over! 🎉

Our first Real Talk episode is NOW LIVE. Hear youth voices take on the topic of bullying and belonging.

Tune in: youtu.be/AeNZ3kYhI3M?...

Real Talk Podcast | Episode 1: Let’s Talk About Bullying (And How to Stop It)

YouTube video by Community Living Ontario

youtu.be

1 1

Reposted by Balance Support & Self Care Studios

Centre for Research in Autism and Education @craeioe.bsky.social · 10d

#CRAEresearchSummaries
‘It just feels unnatural being here’: Autistic secondary school students’ experiences of sensory sensitivities in the school environment

‘It just feels unnatural being here’: Autistic secondary school students’ experiences of sensory sensitivities in the school environment

While prior research has examined the sensory impact of school environments, until now few studies have directly considered autistic students’ own perspectives on how sensory differences affe…

crae.ioe.ac.uk

2 4