Welcome to 2023

This brief message from our Executive Director, Sandie Hoskin touches reviews OAP news, COVID-19 and Fundraising as we look ahead to the new year.

Service Updates, OAP Update, Press ReleaseSandie Hoskin, Executive Director, LRCSSDecember 20, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Services2023, OAP, OAP-D, OAP-Durham, OAP foundations, ABAforAll, Fundraising

Recognizing excellence in our ranks in 2022

Each year we recognize one outstanding employee at LRCSS by awarding the Jim Reaume Award of Excellence. This is what that award is all about and who was nominated in 2022.

Press ReleaseSandie Hoskin, Executive Director, LRCSSDecember 16, 2022Ajax Convention Centreawards, Jim Reaume

The Spirit of LRCSS and who represented it best in 2022

The Culture and Spirit award was created to recognize staff who embody and consistently demonstrate the culture and spirit of Lake Ridge Community Support Services. Find out who was recognized in 2022.

Press ReleaseSandie Hoskin, Executive Director, LRCSSDecember 16, 2022Ajax Convention Centreawards, 2022

6 ways you can be a good coach & help your child cope with anxiety

Helping your child learn to manage anxiety is a challenging task. Here are 6 tips for being an effective coach when teaching your child how to cope with anxiety.

Edcuation, Mental HealthBrian Stanton, MarketingNovember 9, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesfacing your fears, Facing your Fears, anxiety, anxiety management

What can Indigenous culture teach us about #AutismAcceptance?

Ph.D. student Grant Bruno is leading an Indigenous Relations Circle to explore the barriers Indigenous communities face in getting autism support.

Diversity & EquityBrian Stanton, MarketingSeptember 22, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesorange shirt day, Indigenous, indigenous, Grant Bruno, every child matters, #everychildmatters

What is an IPRC and how does it help your child access supports at school?

IPRC stands for Identification, Placement, Review Committee and is a very important first step in advocating for your child at school if they are autistic/have autism or an intellectual disability.

EdcuationTarra McPhail, Behaviour Consultant, MomJuly 28, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesiprc, Identification Placement and Review Committee, Identification Placement Review Committee, Navigating the Education System, school system for children with autism, school

What is an IEP and how does it help your child access supports at school?

The IEP is the plan that puts into place the resources and supports identified as beneficial to your child to help them achieve their academic goals.

EdcuationTarra McPhail, Behaviour Consultant, MomJuly 28, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesiprc, Navigating the Education System, school system for children with autism, school, IEP, Individualized Education Plan

3 voices and perspectives from Indigenous caregivers & individuals with intellectual disabilities

Explore 3 separate stories part of @SurreyPlace's Storytelling Video Series for the Bi pi maadzing zaagidwin teg jichaaming / Circle of Life in the Spirit of Love project on the @aideCanada website to learn more about the experiences of Indigenous individuals and caregivers.

Edcuation, Diversity & EquityBrian Stanton, MarketingJune 17, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesindigenous, Indigenous, Surrey Place, aide Canada

June is Pride Month & June 18th is Autistic Pride Day

Autistic Pride is an event for the autistic community led by the autistic community to celebrate their shared identity and promote inclusion and neurodiversity. We encourage you to seek out autistic sources to learn more.

EdcuationBrian Stanton, MarketingJune 1, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesautistic pride, autism acceptance

National AccessAbility Week

The last week of May into the first week of June is National AccessAbility Week. This week is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the critical need for accessibility and inclusion for all in our communities and workplaces.

Seasonal, Diversity & EquityBrian Stanton, MarketingMay 29, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesaccessibility, AccessAbility, National AccessAbility Week

What can you do to support your child's mental health?

7 strategies you can use to support your child’s mental health.

Mental HealthBrian Stanton, MarketingApril 25, 2022anxiety, mental health, parenting

OAP Urgent Response Service

As of April, the Ontario Autism Program’s Urgent Response Service has been available. Children that are experiencing a specific, urgent need can access supports to help stabilize the situation, prevent crisis, and reduce the risk of the child harming themselves, others, and property.

OAP Update, Service UpdatesBrian Stanton, MarketingApril 1, 2022Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth - Durham RegionUrgent Response Services, OAP-D, OAP, OAP-Durham, Resources for Exceptional Children & Youth

OAP updates families on the new Independent Intake Organization: AccessOAP

Minister Fullerton updates OAP families on the launch of Independent Intake Organization, AccessOAP and more in her recent letter to OAP families.

OAP UpdateBrian Stanton, MarketingMarch 31, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support ServicesOAP, AccessOAP

What is stimming and why it's helpful?

Behaviours like flapping hands, pacing or repeating phrases may seem different to the neurotypical population but they provide a useful way to self-regulate for individuals with autism.

EdcuationBrian Stanton, MarketingMarch 31, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesstimming, ABA and stimming

The Superpowers of autism

Everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses and, within our unique communities, we can share some common ones. It's no different for autistic individuals. Here are some of the unique "superpowers" autistic people may possess.

InspirationBrian Stanton, MarketingMarch 28, 2022Lake Ridge Community Support Servicesautism, autistic experience, superpowers, super powers, kryptonite

4 Actually Autistic Voices to follow online

Here are 4 actually autistic voices you can follow on social media that provide insight into the autistic experience.

InspirationBrian Stanton, MarketingMarch 28, 2022autistic influencers, autism awareness, autism acceptance

LRCSS response to province lifting of COVID-19 mandates

Effective March 14th the Ontario government ended mandated vaccination policies for education, health and long-term care. At this time, @lrcssaba will be keeping our current protocols in place. The health and safety of our clients, caregivers and staff remain our top priority.