Blackbird Special Education
G - 1713 Bowen Rd V9S 1G8 Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Not all toilet seats are created equal! We always recommend finding a seat that: doesn't shift around on the toilet fits the child comfortably is soft, squishy, and flexible... Helping your child feel comfortable on the toilet is the first step toward successful toilet training! We have had great experiences with the following seats (not sponsored, we just like them!): -DreamBaby Soft Touch Potty Seat (for smaller kids) -PCP Commode Cushion with velcro (for bigger kids/teens) (How's that for some random Thursday morning toileting advice? )

Our Nanaimo Classroom was looking nice and bright for the first day of classes!

Who’s up for a little Saturday morning toilet talk? This event is tomorrow! (If you can’t make that time, but want to hear it, signing up at the link means you’ll receive a video of the presentation to watch later!)... Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toilet-training-for-individuals

Do you have questions about toilet training for your child with ASD? Our director, Katie Rinald, BCBA, is the speaker at Autism Support Network's upcoming webinar, Saturday August 22nd at 10:00am. It's a free event, but space is limited! Registration opens August 15th, but if you click 'remind me' on Eventbrite you can be sure to register then and get your space. Register via EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toilet-training-for-individuals You can also view ASN's Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/614663172587798

Looking for a good short read over the summer? We recommend giving this book a try. Written by a fellow BCBA, it gives some great practical (and evidence-based) tips for parents to use ABA with their kids in their everyday lives. Bonus: it's available on Amazon for less than $15! (https://www.amazon.ca///ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Go4.EbN2NSRT1)

Our students really liked today's cool dinosaur fossil activity

Psstt...Nanaimo-area families: are you looking for a schooling alternative that can help your child with ASD reach BIG goals? Did you know that at our Nanaimo Centre, we provide comprehensive educational programs for school-aged kids with ASD? In collaboration with distributed learning schools, we provide individualized school programming that focuses on academic, behavioural, communication, and social goals. We firmly believe the sky is the limit for all of our students!... We use evidence-based practices to help teach important skills like reading, writing, and math in a fun and engaging way. Our goal is for our students to exceed their own learning expectations while LOVING their school program (which often means designing the lessons to be about things they're super interested in, like ladybugs!) Sound like a good fit for your child? We still have limited space for September 2020; email us at [email protected] ASAP if you are interested in joining us for the upcoming school year!

We’ve heard from many families that coping with the changes in daily life associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has been unbelievably stressful... (As one mom said, I am running out of ways to explain that THE POOL IS STILL CLOSED.) This video from Autism Community Training may be a helpful resource in continuing to hang in there! https://www.actcommunity.ca/practical-tips-for-helping-fami

We love the Nanaimo Child Development Centre, AND these durable customized labels for kiddo belongings... Highly recommend supporting the NCDC Preschool’s fundraiser!

We’ve heard from a surprising number of families over the last few weeks who’ve decided all this time at home means they’re going to seize the day and tackle TOILET TRAINING! To this we say: are you sure?! Remember, you don’t NEED to be so productive during a pandemic! But if you really want to go for it, yes - we can help! We offer phone and Skype consults to help you work out a plan, review data, troubleshoot, etc. Please email Katie Rinald, BCBA, directly if you’d like help: [email protected]

Something cool to pass along to our Nanaimo-area families with sporty kiddos: adaptive lacrosse, starting in April! Check out nanaimominorlacrosse.ca

Did you know that we provide: Centre-Based services to families in the Nanaimo and Vancouver areas for things like homeschooling, early intensive treatment, general ASD treatment, etc. Home-based services to families on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland for things like homeschooling, early intensive treatment, general ASD treatment, etc.... Home-based intensive toileting services to families all over B.C. Phone, Skype, etc. services to families internationally for toileting challenges

Parents often ask us for book recommendations. This is by far our favourite: an oldie but a goodie! Published in 1994, it may not tell you how to get your kid off the iPad, but it’s still an amazing resource on how to navigate many common parenting problems... everything from attention-seeking toddlers, to sibling rivalry, to rebellious teens! All of the advice in this book is based on Dr. Glenn Latham’s work at Utah State University. It is firmly rooted in the science of behaviour and teaches kind, compassionate, positive parenting. Highly recommended!