More Than Play Inc.

Loving connections are the most basic foundational source of present and future mental health.

As we enter into the beginning of Autism Acceptance Month I encourage you to celebrate the lives of all who are Autistic. Thank you to all the autistics in my life that encourage me, teach me and guide me, both as a parent and as a practitioner. They are the real experts with lived experience! So dig in, ask the autistics in your life about their experiences, how we can better accommodate and include their perspective in everyday life. Find ways to remove barriers that soci...ety has erected that impede them from living their best life! Also, before we #LightItUpBlue or wear #RedInstead on April 2nd, be sure to be sensitive and ask the autistic you love if they want to celebrate this day or month! After all... it is about THEM. I am so grateful for the autistics in my life, near and far who make my life so much richer. Happy Autism Acceptance Month Everyone!

STARTING TODAY!!! Autism Awesome Eats - Presented by Tim Hortons and Autism Ontario Windsor Essex Chapter Treat yourself and your family to a night or two off from cooking and order out!! Order out or dine in and help our community! Support local restaurants and your local chapter of Autism Ontario!... MARCH 27TH-APRIL 5TH, 2021 Order DIRECTLY by phone or online from any of the participating restaurants AND donate a minimum of $5 to Autism Ontario, Windsor Essex Chapter to be entered to win a 65inch Smart TV! Links are provided below for each restaurant. Thank you to this fantastic group of restaurants: KOMA http://komarestaurant.com Nico Taverna https://www.nicotaverna.com/ The Factory House https://www.factoryhouse.ca/ Vito’s Pizzeria https://vitospizzeria.net/ Spago- https://spagosouthwindsor/ COTTA food bar- https://www.cottafoodbar.com/ Hurricanes Pub and Grille https://www.hurricanespubandgrill.com/ Giovanni Caboto Club https://www.cabotoclub.com/ Armando’s Pizza LaSalle https://armandospizza.com/lasalle.php Ortona Café & Panino Shop Ltd. Ortona 1864 Café & Panino Shop Ltd. El Mayor https://elmayor.ca/ Oven. 360- all Windsor locations and Leamington location https://oven360.com/ Superbowl Lanes Windsor https://www.facebook.com/SuperBowlWindsor/ O’Maggio’s Kildare House http://www.kildarehouse.com/ Kabobgy -LaSalle location http://www.kabobgy.ca/ The Thirsty Butler https://m.facebook.com/thirstybutlercocktaillounge/ Proceeds from this fundraiser will help support Autism Ontario Windsor Essex’s ongoing programs. Throughout the pandemic, AO has continued to support families that are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders with many programs including home activity kits, workshops, and other events. A HUGE thank you to Tim Hortons for hosting this fundraiser and donating the raffle prize, a 65 inch smart TV! #EatLocal #GiveLocal #SupportLocal #TimHortons #communitypartnershipsC

Thank you Jenny for a great explanation about bilateral coordination for our families!

It is all about connection. In a world where people are more disconnected than ever due to the pandemic, be sure to lean into connection at home.

Fantastic tactile ideas! Thank you Heather Hodgins-Chan!

Thank you to On the Ball Pediatric OT Heather Chan for this information!

More Than Play Inc is a proud sponsor of SpellX and is inviting you to come check it out! SpellX is a global, ground-breaking, salon style event, featuring short presentations (think TedX style format) by nonspeaking people who spell and type! #nonspeakers #S2C #spellingtocommunicate SpellX will take place on November 7, from 6-9 pm in 6 virtual salons spanning 6 geographical regions/time zones making SpellX available to communities across the world and the spellerverse! Each... salon will be hosted by nonspeaking and speaking emcees who will present recorded presentations from the spellers and interact with the audience. Make sure to join us in exploring the spellerverse. Register today to be a part of SpellX!! Worldwide "Words worth a listen" SpellX powered by I-ASC. Register at https://i-asc.org/spellx/ SpellX - I-ASC See more

Attention Families who are looking for AAC! The last day take advantage of this great sale is today! https://www.assistiveware.com//aac-awareness-month-discoun

Calling all respite workers.

Are you in the Windsor-Essex area? Looking for an evidence based, Early intervention developmental model for your child on the spectrum? The PLAY Project is a fantastic program that helps young ones to climb the functional developmental ladder! The research literature is clear: When parents successfully engage with their child, the child makes progress in his/her social interaction and development, and autism symptoms improve. A diagnosis is not required to begin , however f...unding for this service can be provided through the OAP (childhood budgets and interim one time funding) for those who are 0-6 years in age. More Than Play is happy to help you with any questions you might have about the PLAY Project or navigating the OAP. Play on!

Billy shoes can make life so much easier for individuals who have an AFO. If you are in the Windsor-Essex area check them out at Karen’s 4 kids!

Thanks to Family Respite and Autism Ontario: Windsor-Essex chapter for this visual on how to support your child to adapt to wearing a mask! I don't know about you, but most every conversation we have lately at More Than Play Inc. is surrounding the return to school. Is it safe? Will my child flourish? Do I have to choose between my child's mental or physical health? What will school look like? Will they be able to play with their peers? Do I have to choose between my career ...and homeschooling? Will my child have the supports they need? Usually after the questions come the comment "I hope I am not making a mistake", or " I feel so guilty". Often I am asked what I am doing with my 4 boys. The answer is, we are sending our oldest and keeping our triplets at home for various reasons. Am I making a mistake? I don't have the answers, I don't know if I am making a mistake, only time will tell. So do I feel guilty? Yes. For BOTH choices. So do I have anxiety surrounding both decisions? Yes! Am I allowing myself to feel those emotions but continuing with our plan? YES! If you are feeling guilt, anxiety or worry, frustration and uncertainty... YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We are all doing our best, making the best decisions possible for our children with the information at hand. Trust your guts parents. Do what you feel is in the best interest of your child. Adjust your plan as needed. If you need professional support or counselling please reach out and we can link you to one of our excellent referral sources. You've got this!