I’ve often wondered why there’s very little public outcry when the media reports on the cruel use of seclusion rooms for kids with developmental disabilities and delays in schools across Canada. I’ve worked with kids born with developmental disabilities since I was 16 years old. I started out as a respite worker for families through […]
LGBTQ youth face additional mental health pressures associated with stigma and discrimination It’s now widely known that the Ontario Ministry of Education will be reverting to the 2010 sex education curriculum to teach our youth – despite widespread criticism. What’s worse is youth in grades 7 and 8 will actually be taught the 1998 […]
There has been a lot of discussion recently in Ontario and elsewhere about sex education. We have heard from diverse groups about what is taught and what is not taught in our schools. But there is one group whose voice has been missed. Our students with developmental disabilities need sex education too. And no one’s […]
Helicopter parenting. Tiger parenting. Free-range parenting. These are buzz-words we hear all the time that are supposed to describe the “best” approaches for parents to take raising their children. We all want the best for our children and parents happily and eagerly adopt the latest, greatest advice. Even governments enact legislation that promotes one approach […]
The reality of mothers who give birth in care There is a well-known connection between teen pregnancy and child protection services. Girls who spend time in the care of child protection services have higher rates of teenage pregnancy and teenage mothers are more likely to have their child taken into care. Teenage mothers who give […]
Dylan Cohen shares a personal story of life in and out of government care. He is an Indigenous former youth in care and campaigner for Fostering Change in British Columbia and a Contributor with EvidenceNetwork.ca. Dylan seeks to create opportunities for youth in/from care across the country through advocacy and public policy justice. Interview by […]
Music interventions are evidence-based with positive results — so why don’t we use them more often? My son is practicing the piano as I write this and it’s the sweetest sound. He’s spent two years working slowly through the same level, but it doesn’t matter; he’s improving and the benefits of both music therapy […]
Almost nine million Canadians can’t read well enough to perform everyday tasks In Canada, two out of five adults – that’s nearly nine million people – cannot read well enough to perform everyday tasks. Reading difficulties start early. It is very well established that children who are not reading well by the end of […]
It’s time we do something about it Summer is almost upon us, so yesterday I spent $418 on 11 half-hour swimming lessons for my nine-year old son at the local rec centre. Why so costly? Because my son has autism, the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in Canada. He’s not able to take regular swim […]
Supporting youth to 25 years of age an essential first step A version of this commentary appeared in the Toronto Star, Ottawa Life and the Huffington Post Growing up in government care in Manitoba was difficult. The deep politicization of child welfare didn’t help matters. Polarized public opinion and a controversy-avoidant government shaped the legislation and policies that […]
