Balance Support & Self Care Studios

"Grandparents may feel very worried when they hear that their grandchild is autistic. This may be because they may be confused about what autism is, and what it isn’t." A friendly and neuro-inclusive autism primer, from @annmemmott.bsky.social:

www.autismcentral.org.uk/news/blog-gr... #autism

This Viewpoint provides examples of how health professionals and systems can expand their interest beyond impairment-focused care to partner with families, adopt practices that promote children's perspectives, and create disability-inclusive environments.

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/umN950YmAM0

We don't have an autism epidemic. We have better tools and understanding of neurodiversity. Recognizing something for what it is doesn't mean it's suddenly happening, but rather recognition is better.

Vaccines cause survival.

Milton behaviour therapist accused of assaulting six victims including two autistic children Halton police have arrested a behaviour therapist in Milton following a complaint.

Halton police have arrested an applied behaviour analysis therapist in Milton following a complaint.

We welcome @theglobeandmail.com’s editorial seeking a rebalancing of Canada’s assisted suicide law. "No Canadian should choose death because we refuse to pay for their care.”

See our CEO Krista Carr's response below.

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit... (subscription required)

Image is a screen capture from Inclusive Action in Ontario's website. It explains how the medical model of disability is the biggest barrier to inclusive education

This is why Ontario's public education system can't be inclusive - no matter how much money you throw at it

inclusionactionontario.ca/docs/what-is...

#inclusion #OntEd #autism

Square image with a bright pink background. White text reads: "Bullying stops here. Pink Shirt Day. In a world where you can be anything, be kind" Balance SSCS logo is in bottom left corner

Today is #PinkShirtDay!

Discrimination takes many shapes, whether it’s based on race, age, disabilities, gender or sexuality. Let's stand up to bullying & continue fighting for equality and acceptance

#HamOnt #DayOfPink #NoMoreBullying #BullyingStopsHere #2SLGBTQIA #KindnessMatters

In his mini-documentary series DOWN, Ugandan-born filmmaker Moses Latigo Odida, father to a daughter with Down syndrome, confronts the negative attitudes & practices that ostracize Canada’s black caregivers.

Watch Episode 1: youtu.be/Ghlb1BMwJLM?...

#Caregiverlife #BlackHistoryMonth #DownSyndrome

This webinar draws from lived experience and explore the parallels between the Cultural Deficit Model, as the main ideology behind the Colonial Mindset, and the Social Deficit Model which is still the most common lens through which autism is perceived by the public. This webinar was presented by Jo Autism and psychological colonialism - Joris Lechêne (3-Mar-22)

From the #CRAEwebinar archives, one of our most watched webinars of all time:

Autism and psychological colonialism with Joris Lechêne (3-Mar-22)

Have you started your application for the 2026 EKO Scholarship Program?!
https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/applynow

We're connecting applicants with a scholarship coach to guide them through the submission process.

What can students expect? 👇

Graphic with a light grey background and a dark blue border. At the top is the ARCH Disability Law Centre logo in blue. Below the logo, large black text reads: “Press Release – Court Overturns Human Rights Tribunal Decisions for Improperly Dismissing Discrimination Claim on Grounds of Disability.” Further down, bold text reads: “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE” and underneath: “February 24, 2026.”

A judicial review has overturned a Human Rights Tribunal decision involving improper treatment related to disability.

ARCH’s full press release:
🔗 archdisabilitylaw.ca/press-releas...

#DisabilityRights #OntarioLaw #AccessToJustice

Inclusion benefits all students – with or without disabilities. Find practical advice for professionals, parents, and peers on how to foster inclusion in the classroom in our free guide: buff.ly/rSJpoNI

#InclusionMatters #InclusiveEducationMonth #InclusiveEducation #Educator

This study aims to describe autonomy levels and explore factors associated with participation autonomy in Brazilian young people with cerebral palsy.

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/hOHa50YhmHM

More adults with developmental disabilities ending up in homeless shelters Officials with Inner City Health say they increasingly see adults with developmental disabilities in Ottawa’s shelter system.

"Heads of Ottawa agencies recently raised alarm bells about the lack of capacity and long waiting lists for spots in the group homes and supportive housing programs for adults who need ongoing support..."

ottawacitizen.com/news/local-n...

Provincial - Building a Feel Better Box for School Mental Health Registration will open on February 10th at 9:00am

Autism Ontario invites parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals to an interactive online workshop designed to support the mental health of autistic children (ages 6–12) in school settings.

📅 When: March 10, 2026 | 12 – 1:30 p.m.
💻 Where: Online

📌 Register here:

Photo of a Black professional woman looking out a window. Overlaid text reads: “Inclusive employment means building workplaces where Black workers with disabilities are not just included, but valued and empowered.” CCRW logo appears in the top corner.

In our latest blog, we explore the systemic barriers Black persons with disabilities continue to face in Canada and the leadership already shaping more inclusive workplaces.

📖 Read the full post:
buff.ly/LpnWZ7t

#BlackHistoryMonth #InclusiveEmployment #BHM #PWD #WorkplaceEquity

The most prevalent disability in classrooms may be FASD — and supporting students is vital A valuable resource for teacher candidates and current teachers about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the Canada FASD Research Network.

"While teacher candidates possessed knowledge of strategies to support students with disabilities such as ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, they were largely unaware of the challenges faced by children with FASD."
https://bit.ly/4rPbqH8
@queensu

The publication title is "Defining and measuring what matters: quality of life for children with disabilities". The study authors include Tracey Smythe, Peter L Rosenbaum, Giulia Balboni, and Gabriel M Ronen.

📢 New publication alert involving MacART member Dr. Peter Rosenbaum!

📖 Read “Defining and measuring what matters: quality of life for children with disabilities”: thelancet.com/journals/lan...

#ChildhoodDisability #Research @canchild.bsky.social

From AIDE Canada: The Autistic Experience of Grief toolkit

aidecanada.ca/resources/le...

#autism

[Image: Glenda Watson Hyatt raises her hands in triumph, while seated in a mobility scooter in front of a stone building. She wears a black graduation robe.]

In our newest guest blog, Glenda Watson Hyatt answers our questions about her recent master’s thesis on the employment (and #discrimination) of people with #SpeechDisabilities, including those who use #AAC: lnk.to/glenwh.

@queensuresearch.bsky.social

[Image: Glenda Watson Hyatt raises her…

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Parents of students with disabilities deserve a voice, Ontario advocate urges school boards Disabilities barriers and chronic underfunding handcuff teachers, David Lepofsky writes.

In addition to chronic underfunding, disabled & ND students face barriers accessing a public education due to discrimination & ableism - which is something that needs more attention

@insidehalton.bsky.social

www.insidehalton.com/life/student...

#OntEd #autism #disability #inclusion

Image with a light blue background promoting Non-Profit Appreciation Week. Features diverse hands stacked in unity on the right. Blue text reads "Non-profit Appreciation Week". Underneath white text reads "Non-profits are integral to our communities and provide the support to help them thrive Show appreciation to your non-profit workers today!" Under the text is the Balance SSCS logo

#NonprofitAppreciationWeek this year is Feb 16-20, 2026

Let's celebrate the vital role nonprofits play in delivering essential programs that Ontarians depend on every day! ❤️🤗

#HamOnt #disability #autism #neurodiversity #NotForProfit #NonProfit

Autism Study Of Drug Touted By Trump Administration Retracted Months after Trump administration officials hyped a drug as a possible treatment for autism symptoms, one of the largest studies examining its effectiveness in this population has been retracted.

Months after Trump administration officials hyped a drug as a possible treatment for #autism symptoms, one of the largest studies examining its effectiveness in this population has been retracted. #disabilities

Too often in educational settings, we see pupils emotions as a burden & use punishment as a quick fix solution. This works in the short-term but does not build skills the brain needs rooted in neuroscience. Strategies to support regulation to reduce problematic behaviour. 🧠🌱

Don't fall for the fabricated label "profound autism." Instead, get your information about autism and disability from those communities—where people will think you or your kid are awesome, and will want you to feel the same way.

#autism #ProfoundAutism #neurodiversity #autistic #parenting

Square image has red background with elegant gold floral designs in corners. Text reads "Happy Lunar New Year!" in bold gold font, conveying a festive and celebratory tone. Balance SSCS logo is in lower left corner.

Wishing happiness and prosperity to everyone celebrating! 🤗🐴

#HamOnt #LunarNewYear2026 #YearOfTheHorse

"Overall, we must strive for inclusion in society and not use terms to promote segregation" @drstevenkapp.bsky.social

www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13...

#autism #neurodiversity

A "Profound Autism" Category Is Segregation—Not Progress RFK Jr. went full "useless eaters" on autistics—& Profound Autism parents are thrilled. Here's why "profound autism" is harmful, not helpful.

"If parents rely purely on the 'profound' autism community, they are unlikely to find the resources their children need."

thinkingautismguide.com/2025/04/crea...

#autism

T/W: Mention of "treatment"

Like functioning labels, the term "profound autism" doesn't actually describe a person's abilities & support needs

Plus needs change & fluctuate

#Autism isn't something that needs to be "treated" either but accepted & accommodated

"Happy Family Day" text centered, with hand-drawn hearts and striped border in dark gray, tan, and pink. Under the text is the Balance SSCS branded logo

Family Day is a time for us to reconnect with those most important to us

Hope everyone take this time to spend with their families ❤️

#HamOnt #FamilyDay #family #FamilyTime