By Louise Kinross In Canada, children with cerebral palsy are usually diagnosed before they’re 18 months old. In Ethiopia, the average age is five-and-a-half years—missing a critical window for therapy that can improve a child’s life. Dr. Selamenesh Tsige (above), a former pediatrician at Addis Ababa University hospital, knew this...
It’s almost that time of the year again. I understand the rollercoaster of emotions that Mother’s Day can bring. It’s a day filled with mixed feelings, from pride and joy in our role as mothers to moments of longing and loneliness. It’s a day when we not only celebrate being...
Mother’s Day is a time to honour and celebrate the incredible love and dedication of mothers everywhere. Being a single mum, I know that there are times when we have to spend this special day alone. But that is no reason to slump on the sofa all day and wallow...
By Louise Kinross Shiny Misfits is a children’s book about standing out. It’s written by American comedian Maysoon Zayid (above) and illustrated by Colombian Shadia Amin. The protagonist is 10-year-old Bay Ann, a Muslim girl with a disability who is passionate about tap dancing. She craves the spotlight and dreams of going...
Making friends during adolescence is akin to navigating a labyrinth filled with twists, turns — and the potential for profound connections. For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the journey toward friendship often presents its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. Individuals with ASD possess intelligence, compassion, and a...
By Louise Kinross During COVID, Gunjan Seth (photo right) became very sick and realized she had to find some respite from caring for her son Ajay (left), now 16, who has autism. Respite care gives parents a short break from the emotional and physical demands of caring for a child...
It was the first time the card table was used for its stated purpose. In our excitement playing cards, we got too noisy and woke up the toddler. There was laughter and arguing. There was winning and losing. I’d like to say my son, Ocean, was a gracious winner. I’d...
Everything changes after a breakup: plans for the future, your daily schedule, and even your sleeping position. A serious breakup can even distort your sense of self and lead to losing the desire to date anyone new. But you should understand that these feelings of disappointment and loneliness will go...
This article about cheap, unusual, life-changing gifts was last updated in 2024. Ok, so you have a friend or family member, and you want to give them something really special for a birthday, a thank you, or whatever. But you are completely stuck as to what to buy for them....
Single mum life is a mixed experience. Like everything else, it is what you make it. Whether you are rocking this single mum gig or still getting used to a life you didn’t expect, focusing on the good is the way forward. For many women, they wouldn’t have life any...
This article about low-budget meals was last updated in 2024. It doesn’t matter how much you struggle with money; you still have to feed your family. But, when funds are low, it can be a real challenge. You need to keep the costs down while still producing something yummy and...
This article about easy ways to diet for the time-poor mum was last updated in 2024. With the amount of weight loss options and ideas available today, dieting can be complex. It can also be time-consuming, which is the reason why many mums find it hard to succeed. They simply...
By Louise Kinross Samuel Habib is a 24-year-old New Hampshire college student who wants to date. He drives a 350-pound wheelchair and has laboured speech, so dictating what he wants to say to someone who types it into his voice device is painstaking. “I want to figure out how to...
I have always had a strong connection and pull to music, gaining inspiration from trailblazing female artists like Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell. But my relationship with music reached another level when I – during a moral burnout episode – stumbled upon a different kind of sound that changed my...
Key takeaways for caregivers Fathers often want to be present for their children and contribute to household tasks, but they can lack opportunities and confidence; they may see themselves as “helpers” instead of parents. Australian fathers in our small study reported that they spent more time with their children during...
Sometimes, an ADHD diagnosis can bring more confusion than clarity. As a parent, you may think, “Should I share the diagnosis with other adults in the family and in my child’s life? How do I know who to trust?” You may fear possible judgments and others’ assumptions about your child...
Between work, school drop-offs, appointments, and birthday parties… the constant juggling act is real when you’re a single mum! You’d be forgiven for letting those finances derailing and New Year resolutions you made many months ago fall by the wayside. Perhaps spending more time with family or trying to get...
Divorce is among the most stressful situations you can find yourself in. The emotional turmoil of a broken relationship and the legal complexities involved can be overwhelming to navigate on your own. This is why you need to find the best PIs, like private investigators in Sydney, who helped write...
By Louise Kinross Switching schools is tough. In All About Me, a girl with a disability navigates her first day at an elementary school. The book is written by Desiree Da Costa, a former client at Holland Bloorview who is now a staff member registering children and families and scheduling clinics....
As a psychotherapist, an ADHD coach, and someone who lives with ADHD, I understand fully how the shame, stress, and anxiety of our symptoms and challenges – from procrastination and forgetfulness to time blindness and impulsivity – cause many of us to develop defense mechanisms. We seek to protect ourselves,...
