Summer often brings a much-needed break from the demands of the school year. The busy mornings, full days, homework struggles, and social pressures suddenly slow down. But while summer offers a pause from academics, it can be one of the most important seasons to invest in your child or teen’s mental health.

According to Statistics Canada (2024), 91% of young Canadians aged 15-24 regularly used social networking sites. With the majority of our teens active on social media it is crucial that as parents, caregivers, educators, professionals etc, we are paying attention to the world that so many teens are engaged in.

Your child’s brain does the majority of its development in the first 5 years of life, meaning the first 5 years are a beautiful opportunity to help foster your child’s ability to learn, think and create meaningful attachments. Join MSW Intern Olivia Johnston for a webinar designed for parents, caregivers, educators, professionals and any other adult looking to learn, for a webinar focusing on the effects that excessive screen time can have on a child’s developing brain. 

Intellectual and developmental disabilities are more common than you may realize.  Folks with intellectual disabilities might experience differences in strengths and support needs that affect daily functioning in two areas: intellectual functioning such as learning, problem solving, judgment; and adaptive functioning, such as communication and independent living. These differences are often noticed in early childhood, but may not be identified until later in life.

When you are choosing a therapist for your child or teen, it can feel overwhelming. You may also be given the option of a student intern from the organization you connect with. Many families may shy away from this option, for the reason that they are unsure if a student has the skills and abilities to best support their child. However, there are many benefits of working with a student intern as your therapist! 

Masking (sometimes referred to as camouflaging) is the tendency to suppress certain behaviors that might be related to neurodivergence. The term is most often used in the context of ADHD or Autistic individuals. If you are interested in learning more about neurodivergence, feel free to check out my other blog post: What is Neurodiversity #TipsToBloom.