MAY 2023
NEWS & STORIES
To celebrate Speech and Hearing Awareness Month in May, CTN is excited to launch a series of videos on Speech Development Tips for clients and families. These new resources will empower caregivers to progress their child’s development and prepare their child for speech therapy services. Learn tips, tricks and strategies used in speech therapy to improve various areas related to a child’s speech development including listening skills, speech clarity, reading skills and repairing communication breakdowns. The videos are now on CTN's YouTube channel in English with closed captions available in 12 languages.

  1. What Can I Do Now To Help My Child’s Speech Development
  2. What To Do When You Do Not Understand What Your Child Says
  3. Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
  4. How Does Speech Impact Reading
  5. How to Listen For Speech Sounds
This month we recognize the incredible role that physiotherapists (PTs) play in the lives of the kids and youth we serve at CTN. CTN’s four pillars of service delivery (family-centred, solution-focused, integrated care and F-Words) is aligned with our mission that together with our partners, we work with kids, youth and their families to support development and well-being. Check out our rehabilitation resources and videos on our Online Resource Centre.
CTN needs to hear from families about your experience with one of three CTN services to help us build a more equitable environment for families. Your participation helps to identify inequities and remove systemic barriers that impede full participation, access and opportunity for kids, youth and families. Your feedback helps to inform our equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigeneity and accessibility journey. Interviews and focus groups are being held for three services. Space is limited and we have 10 spots remaining! Selected participants will receive a $50 gift card. 
CTN's Equipment Loan Program (ELP) has recently purchased an Overcomer. Designed by physical education teacher Joe Kabes, this unique adapted sports equipment allows users with limited motor abilities and/or visual impairments to swing, throw and strike any number of lightweight sport or gaming attachments.
EVENTS
Join CTN and bring the entire family to enjoy outdoor games and activities on Sunday, June 4. Drop in from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. to meet our special guests, Matt and Nicole Devine from Ride for Change. Matt and Nicole are riding 13,000 km across Canada in support of You Can Ride 2, an organization that assists children with disabilities by removing barriers to riding a bike.

Learn more about:
  • CTN’s Equipment Loan Program
  • Bike safety and how to break down barriers to riding a bike
  • Adapted recreation equipment
  • Inclusive programs in the community
  • Adapted bikes (vendors will be in attendance)
  • Be sure to bring your own bike for our "bike wash"
Join the Community and Family Coordinators (CFCs) for this free virtual workshop on June 14 from 12 to 1 p.m. for some tips and tricks on how to prepare you and your child for summer camp. Topics will include what to expect, where to find funding options, the difference between inclusive and adapted camps, and much more!
CTN and Closing the Gap have partnered once again to offer four camp sessions for kids with specific therapy goals. Camps are facilitated by a team of registered occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants. Kids get to build skills, while having fun with new friends. Parents are also offered coaching sessions to provide tips for home. All sessions take place at The Common Roof in Barrie. Click the links below to learn more and register by June 16. Space is limited.

Our network calendar features events hosted by CTN, our partner organizations and other local community agencies that may be of interest to your family. New workshops, programs and events are added each week.
RESOURCES
CTN supports kids, youth and families by focusing on CanChild's framework of the F-words for Child Development. Every child with varying abilities has the right to have fun, enjoy friends, function as they are, access fitness, plan for their future and join in on family activities.
Connect is a monthly newsletter for families of kids and youth with disabilities and developmental needs and the service providers who support them.
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Disclaimer
This newsletter is not intended as advice to meet the specific needs of an individual, as individual situations will differ. Newsletter readers should not act or rely on newsletter information without seeking specific advice on matters of concern. We will not purposefully present inaccurate information in this newsletter, however information is supplied "as is" and may contain errors. We do not guarantee or warrant the quality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, appropriateness or suitability of the newsletter content. Reliance on any information appearing on the newsletter is at your own risk. We expressly disclaim all warranties, representations and conditions regarding use of this newsletter and its content.
Better Together: A vibrant community where all kids, youth and families belong.