Indigenous autism; a child's story of bullying; and a foodie's adventures

BLOOM ~ May ~ 2024

trailblazer

A First Nations experience of autism

When Grant Bruno's son was diagnosed with autism, he had to leave his Maskwacîs, Alberta reserve to get services in Edmonton. Now Grant is a PhD candidate studying autism from an Indigenous perspective.

Man with dark hair, woman with long blonde hair and boy and baby girl sit in field

staffstories

Helping parents read their baby's cues

Erin Dowds coaches parents on how to connect with babies who show signs of autism. 'I'm the voice in a parent's ear saying "You can do this."'

mentalhealth

Michelle didn't tell on her bully. Many kids don't

Children with disabilities are more likely to be bullied. Here's one child's experience, and the latest on research and prevention strategies.

mentalhealth

Woman with blonde hair and baseball cap crouches beside boy with green sweatshirt in wheelchair both smiling

A family mentor 'gets it, so we hit the ground running'

Over 60 parents and caregivers have been matched with Holland Bloorview family mentors who provide practical information and emotional support.

rolemodel

Young man with dark hair in wheelchair grins beside man standing wearing baseball cap and holding a pizza

Food, film and adventure are on Julian's to-do list

This former client relies on 'support friends' to get out to restaurants, go to events, and volunteer at places like HotDocs and Spiral Garden.

innumbers

Expelled before school starts

16 per cent of 203 autistic children aged four to seven had been expelled from a preschool or child-care before starting kindergarten, according to a 2022 study in Exceptional Children.

Most were removed due to behaviour problems. The average age was 3.3 years. Expelled children later experienced more conflict and dependency in their relationship with a teacher.

inthenews

Why children with disabilities are missing school and losing skills NPR

The body she's in Hazlitt

Bride and groom recreate wedding in the hospital where they first met People

More female doctors in the operating room could improve patient outcomes: study CBC

What 'Crip Time' means to disabled people like me Teen Vogue

She's losing her foot to a bedsore. Disability advocates say it speaks to a larger problem CBC

Expecting the best, receiving less University of Toronto Magazine

whatyousaid

I wish I'd had access to this 30 years ago as a new parent when faced with a lack of words... to cope with what I now know is trauma.

Joe Beyers, tweeting on a new British discussion paper on trauma in parents of kids with disabilities

upcomingevents

Things to do

See Holland Bloorview's Events listing and click on the month for more details.

JUNE 13

EVERY CHILD BELONGS AND CHILD CARE SUBSIDY

Learn about how the child care fee subsidy with the City of Toronto works, eligibility for parents of kids with disabilities, and how your care setting can access a resource consultant. 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon

On Zoom.

shoutouts

A doctor who became disabled as a resident

Dr. Diana Cejas was a medical resident when she was diagnosed with cancer, then had a stroke. In this riveting Docs With Disabilities podcast, she talks about the ableism and racism she experienced in medicine. She's now a neurologist working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Woman with curly black hair and yellow dress in library holding a book open

bookshelf

'Brimming with insight and wisdom, Sunaura Taylor builds a strong case for her profound central idea: that disabled bodies and environments are fundamentally the same, that they've been harmed by the same forces, and that they can be saved by the same ideals.' Ed Yong, author of An Immense World

Contact BLOOM and share your story:

lkinross@hollandbloorview.ca

Content in BLOOM is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor.

Views expressed in posts and resources listed do not signify endorsement by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

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Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto Ontario Canada M4G 1R8