Balance Support & Self Care Studios
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balancesscs.bsky.social
Balance Support & Self Care Studios
@balancesscs.bsky.social
Balance Support & Self Care Studios is a Hamilton-based not-for-profit supporting Ontario parents/caregivers of individuals with diverse needs

https://linktr.ee/BalanceSSCS
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NEW!

Check out our list of upcoming virtual and in-person inclusive, autism-related and disability events for Hamilton & surrounding area

www.canva.com/design/DAG34...

#HamOnt #autism #disability #neurodiversity
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The Schools Unified in Neurodiversity Collaborative: Co-designing a program to enhance educator knowledge and efficacy supporting children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
The Schools Unified in Neurodiversity Collaborative: Co-designing a program to enhance educator knowledge and efficacy supporting children with neurodevelopmental disabilities - Kelly B Beck, Amy Ionadi, Timothy Wagner, Daniel Beck, Rachel Harris, Stephen Edwards, Donna Westbrooks-Martin, Jamie Upshaw, Andre Rhone, Taylor Kesich, Allie Kleinschmidt, Carla A Mazefsky, 2025
Autistic and other neurodivergent youth face social, sensory, and environmental challenges at school that negatively impact learning and well-being. Yet, most educators are not trained in neurodeve...
journals.sagepub.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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Autistic and other disabled people have always been and likely will always be part of our societies, and are valuable human beings who deserve unqualified love, acceptance, and access to supports. Truth from an older article, since I don't write so much anymore:

www.buzzfeed.com/shannonrosa/...
My Autistic Son Needs 24/7 Support. And That's OK.
We have a good life, because we stopped buying into mainstream notions about what happy families look like.
www.buzzfeed.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:05 AM
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Educators should stop justifying the use of seclusion & restraint in schools

They're outdated & traumatic practices that teach nothing & don't 🔽 "challenging behaviours" at all. They cause long-lasting harm and contribute to the misunderstanding & stigmatization of ND kids

#OntEd #autism
November 30, 2025 at 3:30 AM
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Adults and seniors with Down syndrome deserve care. But we cannot improve healthcare systems without your support.

Learn more about the urgent initiatives that CDSS is leading to close this health equity gap in Canada: WeDeserveCare.ca

#disabilityrights #downsyndrome #nothingdownaboutit
November 28, 2025 at 10:06 PM
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You cannot consequence a pupil out of survival mode.Their brain is not in a place to think & reflect. In these moments, they need connection,safety & co-reg, consequences come later. This is not about being less strict but working smarter. Working with biology,not against it.🧠🌱
October 20, 2025 at 6:41 PM
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DYK

The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) consists of BOTH direct funding & funded programs?

For more info, go here: tinyurl.com/4wfntazs

#HamOnt #autism #OntarioAutism #OntarioAutismProgram #OAP
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
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📢 New pub with MacART members Maya Albin, Michelle Phoenix & Peter Rosenbaum!

📖 Read “Applying the WHO’s ICF to Speech-Language Pathology Social Communication Interventions for Autistic Children & Youth: A Scoping Review”: journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1...

#Autism #Research #SLP #WHO
November 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
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NEW RELEASE!

NEADS' 2nd ever #Substack article is here! In it, we go over a short and sweet summary of items in the recently-released 2025 Federal Budget that will be extra important for people with disabilities.

Click the link to read & subscribe for all future publications: buff.ly/z9vZdW1
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
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REMINDER: Join ARCH and the Law Society of Ontario on Dec 3 for a free online event on Canada’s UN CRPD review. This program was first planned for National AccessAbility Week but will now take place on Dec 3. ASL and captions included. Register: archdisabilitylaw.ca/get-involved...
November 25, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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The Government of Ontario has announced additional funding and awards for schools who uphold the goals of the Unified Champions Special Olympics program. Among the seven winners? Hamilton’s Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School in Ancaster.
Ontario funds inclusive sport programs, Hamilton high school receives banner
Government of Ontario announces additional funding and awards for schools who uphold the goals of the Unified Champions Special Olympics program.
www.chch.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
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November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month. 🧡

Indigenous persons with disabilities hold knowledge and leadership that strengthen communities, yet continue to face barriers shaped by colonial systems.

✨ Read more: buff.ly/OWAqHEp

#IDAM #IndigenousDisabilityAwarenessMonth #BarrierFreeCanada
Indigenous Disability Awareness Month: Honouring Strength, Identity, and Self-Determination | Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
Learn why Indigenous Disability Awareness Month matters and how culturally grounded, Indigenous-led approaches can advance disability inclusion in Canada.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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If your child says ‘I can’t go,’ they’re not trying to make your life harder. They might be telling you their environment feels unsafe.

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #ymhc #schoolattendancechallenges #studentmentalhealth #parenting #mentalhealth
November 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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Many of Ontario’s ‘most vulnerable’ are not receiving proper care, ombudsman says
Many of Ontario’s ‘most vulnerable’ are not receiving proper care, ombudsman says
Paul Dube blames two ministries — health and community and social services — for repeatedly dropping the ball following a 2016 investigation into the problem.
www.thestar.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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Today, Ombudsman Paul Dubé published his report, Lost in Transition, revealing how the province’s systemic failure to help people with complex developmental disabilities and high needs has left too many to suffer for unnecessarily long periods in hospital. (1/4)
November 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
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Crisis in the Classroom brings attention to the untenable use of isolation, restraint and exclusion against students with disabilities in Ontario. Learn more and read our recommendations for change at communitylivingontario.ca/resources/cr...  
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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Parents/caregivers -

You've registered your child in the #OAP. Now what?

Read on here tinyurl.com/4jw2c5rh

Learn about what programs you can apply for & things to do to support your child

#HamOnt #autism
November 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
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Ontario has rammed this bill through the Legislature that:
- massively increases the balance of power in tenant law towards landlords.
- will lower notice for tenants and speed up the LTB—for landlords.
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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We've compiled a list of Sensitive Santa / inclusive holiday events in Ontario!

www.canva.com/design/DAG4y...

#HamOnt #autism #sensory #Christmas #holiday #SensitiveSanta
November 16, 2025 at 9:10 AM
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Please remember: When we remind people that “there is NO evidence linking vaccines to autism” without adding “and fear of autism hurts autistics,” then we’re actually contributing to negative stereotypes about autism & autistic people. At TPGA:

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/03/bust... #VaccinesWork
November 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
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BILL 33 HAS PASSED.
It will:
- ⏫ Ministerial power over school boards, allowing for a Minister to override local democracy and decision-making.
- ⏫ Ministerial power to force schools and school boards to abide by political directives, like forcing police back into schools.
November 19, 2025 at 8:33 PM
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Decades of rigorous and scientifically sound research have proven that vaccines do not cause autism. CDC’s decision to change language on its website reversing that finding is reckless & harmful.

Our statement w/ @hivma.bsky.social, APIC, @sheaepi.bsky.social & @sidpharm.bsky.social: bit.ly/3XEc0KH
November 21, 2025 at 12:42 AM
EQAO is a MASSIVE waste of money & time

It should be ELIMINATED as the $30+ MILLION it costs would be better spent elsewhere

BUT Minister Paul Calandra & MoEd should NOT be withholding results!

#OntEd #ONpoli #education
November 22, 2025 at 1:42 AM
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We need to understand that our pupils challenging behaviour is often a product of a nervous system dysregulation. Switch from thinking that this is "challenging" to "distressed behaviour" can help the healing process.
Instead of co-reacting,we need to co-regulate. 🧠🌱
November 16, 2025 at 8:18 PM
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Join ARCH this Human Rights Day for a virtual panel:

What Matters Most: Human Rights from a Disability Perspective

Dec 10 @ 2:00 PM on Zoom

Register: archdisabilitylaw.ca/panel-discus...

Any questions? Contact: [email protected]
November 17, 2025 at 6:24 PM