For years, oil in skincare has been approached with a blend of scepticism and apprehension, largely fuelled by misconceptions about its impact on our skin. Common beliefs suggest that oil might exacerbate skin issues, making it appear greasier, leading to breakouts, and causing discomfort, especially if you have oily skin....
Easter is coming, and mums everywhere are racking their brains for ideas to keep their kids entertained during the holidays. One of the cheapest ways for creative fun is to grab the crayons and download some free printable Easter colouring pages. It’s worth noting that they’re not just for the...
With the Easter holidays fast approaching, Easter art could be just the ticket to keep your little ones entertained. And we’re not talking about the complex, disappointment-inducing projects that are doomed for disaster. I’m talking simple, easy, cheap Easter crafts that your children will love. There are heaps of ideas...
Easter is a time for joy, celebration, and cherished traditions. Like everywhere around the world, it is one of the most looked-forward-to holidays in our household. My kids adore bunnies and enjoy decorating Easter eggs. As a single mum, I see to it that my kids’ Easter experience is not...
By Louise Kinross Every year CoorDown, an Italian group of associations for people with Down syndrome, releases a thought-provoking ad for World Down Syndrome Day. This year it’s ‘Assume that I can,’ featuring Toronto actor Madison Tevlin. Madison questions the assumptions many hold about people with Down syndrome: That they...
Breastfeeding is a beautiful journey that comes with its own challenges, especially for new mums navigating the early days of motherhood. Pumping breast milk can offer flexibility, convenience, and the assurance that your baby is getting the nourishment it needs even when you’re apart. Whether you’re returning to work, managing...
Before I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 33, my body felt like a mystery, an experience I assume is nearly universal for women with a late diagnosis. Yes, there was forgetfulness, distractibility, “careless” errors, internal restlessness, and emotional dysregulation. Yes, there were incredibly painful menstrual cycles with mood changes...
By Louise Kinross In many ways, Sadie Trant (above) is a typical 13-year-old. She loves listening to Taylor Swift albums and learning to play her songs on the piano. ‘I wish!” she says, when asked if she’s seen Taylor in concert. Sadie has low vision, so when she started to...
How often do you show up late to the events and responsibilities of your life? Forty percent of the time? Half? If you can’t say 100% of the time, then I win. I am the Queen of Lateness. Or I was. I used to be late for practically everything. And...
By Louise Kinross Ontario adults with disabilities like autism and Down syndrome are 1.5 to 2.7 times more likely to die of breast, colon and lung cancer after receiving a diagnosis than those without, according to a population-based study published in The Canadian Journal of Public Health last month. “We...
By Louise Kinross (above, on Max) Capes for Kids is Holland Bloorview’s annual fundraiser. For a week, we don capes to raise dollars to support numerous hospital programs that wouldn’t exist otherwise. They include research on technology and inclusion; Spiral Garden, our summer arts camp in the lush ravine; the...
Most neurotypical people don’t fully understand or recognize ADHD struggles — and why would they? It’s hard for people with ADHD to describe their experiences because they are so complex and all-encompassing. There’s also a false familiarity (“Everyone’s a bit ADHD!”), so neurotypical people often assume that they know what...
Key takeaways for caregivers Interparental conflict after divorce escalates the risk of mental health problems in children and adolescents. Elevated levels of conflict between parents can also induce fear and worry in children about their future and whether they will be adequately taken care of. In turn, a greater fear...
by Jancee Dunn Reviewed by ACG Staff Everyone else has reviewed this book so perhaps no one needs my review, but, then again, I almost missed it so let’s get this out there. This book is really helpful. Despite having “Menopause” on the cover, I would say it is more...
We’ve all seen it. The student who inadvertently cuts off their friend mid-sentence because they have something they really, really want to say. The student who is excited and enthusiastic about today’s lesson and can’t help but blurt out responses. With patience and a few tried-and-true strategies, you can help...
Key takeaways for caregivers: It is good for children to identify the emotions of others in conversations with caregivers because it scaffolds their ability to identify others’ emotions on their own. Children who use more emotion talk in parent-child conversations about emotions are more likely to have higher emotion knowledge...
When I was born in 1933, neurodivergence (along with jet aircraft, the atom bomb, and plastic bags) had yet to be. If a child’s behavior did not comply with the norms of the time, as was the case for me, it resulted in punishment, not psychoanalysis. And so I grew...
What if dancing, coloring, and painting could be part of the parenting toolkit you use to regulate your child’s big, intense emotions? For children with ADHD who have challenges with emotional dysregulation – everything from meltdowns to overwhelming feelings – creative expression can serve as an effective outlet for powerful...
By Louise Kinross Di Huang (above left) was intrigued by an art group at Holland Bloorview that connects parents of children with disabilities with nature. “We made our own paint, and the ingredients we used were spirulina powder for green, beet root powder for pink, and cocoa powder for brown,” Di...