Growing Brain Connections
588 Goderich St., unit 2 N0H 2C0 Port Elgin, ON, Canada

"I hope that parents recognize that they are very powerful in their children's lives. They're powerful to create hope. They're powerful to help manage the anxiety." said Maggie Mamen, an Ottawa psychologist. Mamen who specializes in helping parents understand their children's behaviour and emotions, said adults have an enormous role to play in helping young people over this hump. You've hit the COVID-19 wall, but you're not alone, according to sociologist Nora Spinks, CEO of ...the Vanier Institute for the Family, a charitable research and education institute based in Ottawa. " This will be a hard month. It will be unpredictable. It will be challenging. It will be exhausting. "It will be hard just when everybody is depleted," Spinks said, explaining that "self-regulation requires energy." When we lack it, we're more likely to make poor decisions on Twitter, during Zoom calls and behind the wheel. (*The same goes for kids and they are still just learning self regulation! *) But, we will make it through. The good news is, most of us possess a secret fuel reserve. "We will get through it and we will come to the other side and [say], 'I had no idea we were that strong. I had no idea I had that much courage. I had no idea that I had a secondary reserve tank." That secret store of energy can be primed "through connections, through friendships, through routine, and through self-care," said Spinks. "For those of us who have reached the end of our ropes, there will be people who will be there to give us a hand, and then we will turn around and give it to the next person and the next person and we will all get up over this hill." (*As parents we can use our power to help our kids over this steep hill. We can remind our kids that there are very good reasons to have hope. The warmer weather, the sound of birds and this hot coffee are sure helping to remind this mom this morning. *) These excerpts are from an article on CBC News App from this morning, by Hallie Cotnam, "Why this stage of the pandemic may be the steepest climb yet." (*) are my comments

Any sensory folks out there? Some kids and adults alike would love this (although anyone who had to clean up after it maybe wouldn't?). Yes, or No? Found this on a sensory processing FB group and loved /hated the idea.

Temple herself shared this exciting news!

Being in nature can reveal abilities that may not be visible in other environments. Kids are participating in sensory training on our walks in ways they couldn't in the office.

Help for Indigenous kids. Help for kids. Kid's Help Phone.

Pretty sure this is one of the best office environments ... ever. Kids can build self regulation skills with heart rate training & breathing exercises anywhere; being in nature is a natural fit.

The first week back the clinic has been really fun! One more outdoor session in the woods this afternoon to round out the week. Have a great long weekend. Everyone can use a little home-to-roost in our nest time . #sensoryactivity #calmkids

Plant, we are sorry you got so dry. New year, new start, new commitment to watering you. Love, Mandy & Dr. B #backtowork #plantlove #officegoals

Miss us? Guess what? We're reopening (with modifications)! Email us [email protected] to learn more!

While "Bop It" is one of the favourite games for working on auditory processing skills, here is are some visual processing game ideas!

Miss us? Guess what? We're reopening (with modifications)! Email us [email protected] to learn more!

Re-sharing this resource as EVERYONE can benefit from lessening anxiety, especially right now. APPLE

We are closed until further notice due to regulations concerning Covid 19. You can still touch base with all three of us ( Penny, Mandy and Eeva) by email [email protected] or click the button above.... We wish you all health and happiness.

Re-sharing this resource as EVERYONE can benefit from lessening anxiety, especially right now. APPLE

With school days looming for many parents, teachers and especially kids, Autism Ontario shared a list that may help wrap minds around transition meetings. It's small but even small things can help ease some of the anxiety for everyone involved. https://www.autismontario.com//covid-19_back_to_school_tra.

https://www.autistica.org.uk//coro/coping-with-uncertainty While *everyone* on the planet is dealing with uncertainty these days, some folks are more affected by uncertainty than others. Autistica's vision is "a long, healthy, happy life for autistic people and their families. " ... I really like the anxiety-reducing acronym APPLE ACKNOWLEDGE Notice and acknowledge the uncertainty as it comes to mind. PAUSE Don’t react as you nromally do. Don’t react at all. Just pause, and breathe. PULL BACK Tell yourself this is just the worry talking, and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don’t believe everything you think! Thoughts are not statements of fact. What’s the bigger picture? LET GO let go of the thought or feeling about needing certainty. They will pass. You don’t have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away in a bubble or cloud. EXPLORE Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, all is well. Notice your breathing, and the sensations of breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you smell. Right now. Then, shift your focus of attention to something else on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry, or do something else mindfully, with your attention

Expertly sewn face-coverings for the 2-9yr old fashionable (and amenable) crowd. Not all the littles can manage a mask. For those who can, these locally made washable ones are available at our cost. Please message us. ( limited quantity.) We are working on being ready to re-open! We have some pretty cute masks for ourselves!

Everybody benefits from time with friends. I got to have lunch with Penny today for the first time in a long time, outside on my deck in the sunshine. #friendship #TheGarageSandwiches #lunchmeeting Cheers to more sunny skies & time with friends,... Mandy See more

An interesting webinar coming up June 11 at 2:30pm EST. Send us a msg if you have questions about the cost.

I love what she has to say.

Some people may not be able to wear masks. Many people can. It's good to consider where others are coming from.

Really interesting information from the gut specialist and local, Dr David Miller.

Some fun for a sunny brisk afternoon! Tell us in the comments below what you're doing for fun these days!

The brain will only let go of fear and trauma when it knows you are healthy enough. Be patient

Check out the list and follow your kids' interests! (There are 100's of other ways to learn!)

We sure miss hanging around with our friends Enjoy the sun outside...it's an important thing you can do for yourself today! Please comment and share with us what you're doing today.

Adorble books to share with anxious kids. Grown-ups love these stories too. https://storiesbystorie.com/books-for-kids-who-worry-or-h/