by Marni Stewart Explaining to a young child that they have a disability can be challenging and emotional. However, with careful planning, thoughtful language, and a loving approach, you can help your child understand and positively accept their disability. Here are some steps and tips to guide you through this important conversation.   Step 1 – Prepare yourself: Before talking to your child, take some time to process your own emotions and gather information, understand your child’s condition...

by Alex Gildersleeve If you’ve ever found yourself wondering: “Is this anxiety… or could it be autism?” You’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions parents ask, because autism and anxiety can look very similar on the outside, especially in kids who are bright, capable, and trying hard to cope. And to make it trickier, many children experience both. So the goal isn’t to “pick one” straight away. It’s to understand what’s underneath the behaviour, because that’s what shapes the...

by Alex Gildersleeve Anxiety can be confusing, especially when you can see your child or teenager struggling, but they can’t always explain why. Sometimes it looks like panic. Sometimes it looks like anger. Sometimes it looks like shutting down, refusing, procrastinating, or avoiding situations that “should be easy”. Avoidance is one of the most common ways people try to cope with anxiety. It makes sense. When something feels scary, uncomfortable, or overwhelming, the quickest way to feel...