InformerTHE WIAIH QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER WINTER 2016 • VOL. 29, ISSUE #1

Art by Elizabeth Laing at the Arts & Crafts Recreation Program, 2016

FASHION SHOW CASTING CALL • SUMMER RECREATION REGISTRATION INFOFOR THE FUTURE FINANCIAL PLANNING INITIATIVE • GOLF TOURNEY AT SUMMERLEA

Art by Elizabeth Laing at the Arts & Crafts Recreation Program, 2016

The Informer TeamFranca Kesic INFORMER Coordinator / Community & Volunteer RelationsLiam Chapman Editing, Graphics, Layout, Printing and Online PublishingNatalie Chapman Editing, Executive DirectorManon Gervais Editing and TranslationValeria Szabo Editing and Translation

TranslatorsPierre Bourgeois, Linda McNicol, Diane Trempe

111 Donegani, Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 2W3Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PMPlease note: WIAIH is closed for lunch between 12 PM and 1 PM.

WEB: www.wiaih.qc.caTELEPHONE: 514-694-7090FAX: 514-694-5839EMAIL: info@wiaih.qc.ca

Terrie Bélanger Ardron, Liam Chapman, Natalie Chapman, Lyne Charlebois, Nicole de Mone, Haydee Gabrielli, Joanne Giacomini, Michael Gray, Franca Kesic, Natalie Heron, Stacey McFatridge, Natalie Miyake, Mary Rainville, Alison Rollins, Tracy Wrench, Valeria Szabo

Contributors

tInformer

A word from the Executive Director by Natalie Chapman

When my kids were young, Raffi lived at our house. As a children’s singer/songwriter his lyrics and music on the stereo were instant calls to dance and sing and jiggle. Who could resist the sounds of Baby Beluga or Rise and Shine? All Raffi’s songs had a deeper message of love for each other and the world, wrapped up in catchy irresistible music. Aer 50 years of

being Canada’s minstrel and thoughtfully entertaining millions of children, Raffi Cavoukian has taken up the cause of children in a more formal way.

His Centre for Child Honouring was set up to promote a vision by which societies can re-order their priorities

to become sustainable, peace-making cultures - . His www.childhonouring.orgCovenant sets out an integrated vision for simultaneously restoring our planet and building community with the child at its heart. It is a positive vision that stresses “the primacy of early years” as key to activating the powerful potential of our species. Raffi continues to inspire us to care for the children and work toward a better world through his words and actions as well as through the wonderful songs that still have the power to move us.

WIAIH is working on a de�ning project to build the KIZMET Centre. Over the many years, we have known that supporting and respecting the individual rhythms of children is key to unlocking their potential. Sharing our resources and the experience WIAIH has gained over the years with the West Island community reminds me of a Raffi song:

It’s mine but you can have some. With you I’d like to share it. Cause if I share it with you, you’ll have some too.

Raffi’s words not only con�rm the direction in which KIZMET will take us, but will serve to guide our practice for many years to come.

centrekizmet @centrekizmet 1

Questions? Contact Franca at 514-694-7090 #214 or email assistance@wiaih.qc.ca

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Mornings: the first Friday of each month from 9:30 - 11:30 AM at WIAIH, 111 Donegani, Pointe-Claire

Come join other moms and dads for a coffee in a relaxing environment, learn about the network of resources available in the community and what interventions are bene�tting parents and children, share ideas, and at the same time meet other parents or grandparents who may be facing similar challenges.

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your questions, concerns or knowledge with others. Come late or leave early. We are very �exible and everyone is welcome! Dads, you are welcome too!

Babysitting is available free of charge but a reservation is required one week in advance! Contact Franca at 514-694-7090 #214 or email .assistance@wiaih.qc.ca

is group will offer support and guidance for parents following e Science of Making Friends, a book by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson. e book offers concrete steps on how to achieve the skills that lead toward meeting and maintaining friendships for teens and young adults with social challenges. ere is no cost and no commitment. Please note, this monthly group is for parents/caregivers only.

Registration is required. Contact Franca at 514-694-7090 #214 or assistance@wiaih.qc.ca

CoffeeBreak Daytime Support Group

www.wiaih.qc.ca/node/70

A friendship social skills group for parents!Last Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 PM at WIAIH, 111 Donegani, Pointe-Claire

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PEERS 14-week social skills trainingThursdays, March 10 - June 9, at WIAIH, 111 Donegani, Pointe-Claire

e 14-week social skills training program will begin in March 2016. For more information or to register please contact WIAIH or use the links below.

Info: or www.facebook.com/PEERSMONTREAL peersmontreal@gmail.com

WIAIH and WIC (West Island College) will soon be gearing up for this year's great show, set to be held on Saturday May 7, 2016 at WIC. Contact us if your son or daughter (ages 4 and older) would like to participate! We look forward to another great show this year.

Call Nat at 514-694-7090 #221 or email her at n.heron@wiaih.qc.ca

Fashion & Variety Show casting call!

Marcel Morin Community Centre, 14068 Gouin West, Pierrefonds

Saturday March 19 at 5 PMat Sarto Desnoyers Community Centre, 1355 chemin Bord-du-Lac, Dorval

$7 per ticket · $5 for kids aged 5 to 12 · Free for kids aged 4 and under

Come out with your family, put on your dancing shoes and don’t forget to dress in green!

We will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Come and enjoy a superb meal and lots of great company!

Dinner is served. All you have to do is bring your favourite �nger dessert like squares, brownies, cookies or fruit.

To RSVP, call Franca at 514-694-7090 #214 or email assistance@wiaih.qc.ca 3

Jeremy Hampson, a senior investment advisor from Assante Wealth Management, will animate this FREE information session for parents or legal guardians of children and adults living with an intellectual disability or autism.

Financial Planning for Your ChildWith an Intellectual Disability or Autism

Wednesday, February 10, 2016 from 7 - 9 PM at WIAIH - 111 Donegani, Pointe Claire

Jeremy will explain the 3 basic steps of Financial Planning for a special needs family and the key tools available. He will explain the ‘Henson Trust’ in basic terms and when

to use a Trust company. Finally, he will touch on strategies that can improve your current tax situation and make sure there is money le behind for your child.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)Wednesday, March 16, 2016 from 7 - 9 PM at WIAIH - 111 Donegani, Pointe Claire

e Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term savings plan that is designed to allow families to save for the �nancial security of a loved one living with a

disability. e plan allows contributed funds to grow tax-free until withdrawal.

FREE INFO SESSIONS AT WIAIHReservation is required for the following sessions.

Contact Lindsay Giberson at 514-694-7090 or at stagiere@wiaih.qc.ca

Wednesday, June 8 at Summerlea Golf & Country Club, 1000 Route de Lotbinière, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 8P2

Golf Classic moves to Summerlea Golf Club!

Although to many of us it seems that winter has just begun, we have already started planning for the 23 Annual WIAIH-Richard Held Golf Classic, which will for the �rst time play out in June at the exquisite Summerlea Golf & Country Club!

We need auction and raffle prize donations, so if anyone knows of any person or business who would be willing to contribute, please let us know so we can get in touch. is annual tournament is one of WIAIH's major fundraising events which helps us to continue to provide essential services for you, our members. We are also looking for people to join our golf committee to help with the planning.

For more information please call Valeria at 514-694-7090 or golf@wiaih.qc.ca

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WHAT’S ON IN THE COMMUNITY

Bowling Social Nights

The RÉCRÉ-O-BUS has arrived in Pierrefonds-Roxboro!In winter as in summer, the Récré O Bus will visit the Borough’s parks from East to West in order to offer sporting, recreational and cultural activities. Children from different neighbourhoods will have the chance to practice all kinds of free activities under the supervision

of a responsible animator. e activities offered during the winter season are: hockey, ringuette, skating, snow shoeing, bobsleighing and snow igloo. e schedule may change according to weather conditions.

Visit or call 514-624-1100 for more information.www.ow.ly/WILBO

Feb. 13, 20 & 27 1:30 from to 3:30 PMBrook Chalet: Feb. 14, 21 & 28 from 1:30 to 3:30 PMParc De la Rive-Boisée:

RÉCRÉ-O-BUS Schedule

Everyone is welcome to participate, however if a participant is not autonomous, they must be accompanied by an adult.

At Valois Lanes, 62 Donegani, Pointe-Claire. $7 per person.For more information please call 514-804-4396 after 4 PM.

Sleep for Thought studyMcGILL UNIVERSITY RESEARCH STUDY

Are you interested in learning about your child's sleep?

is study provides a great opportunity and you will receive a summary describing your child’s sleep patterns and habits. is study is for children with or without ADHD aged 8-11 years, enrolled in elementary school.

Info: The McGill Behaviour and Sleep Laboratory,514-761-6131 #2050 or sleepforthought@gmail.com

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Halloween 2015

Holiday

parties!

Holidays are always an excuse for making new and original art! Hallowe’en was the perfect occasion to experiment with gluing leaves, painting pumpkins

and – why not – make a Q-tip skeleton?

On Halloween day, Hagen employees got to dress up for a special cause : PRDC! A special thanks to

Hagen for their $380 donation, $10 for each of their employees who wore a costume to work that day!

Our little house was vibrant with energy and laughter as parachute play and conga lines came to life during our holiday celebrations on December 21 and 22. Of course, the jingling bells announcing Santa’s visit can always rouse a crowd! He had surprises for every child in his bag and cheerfully gathered them on his lap for a pose, when they were eager to collaborate, of course!

Good food, good friends, like Margaret LaCouvée, Madelane Riley, Marilyn and Jacques Dubuc of the Lakeshore Kiwanis Club and Nick di Tomaso (longtime friend of WIAIH), joined staff and families for a yummy lunch and all the fun.

Our warmest thanks to the Kiwanians for the donation of toys and buffet, as well as to Ann Ross and Madelane Riley for the knitted mittens and hats. ank you to two special men, WIAIH Board members Pierre Frégeau and Ken Ingram, for their special appearances as the man of the hour, Santa Claus.

by Lyne Charlebois · photos by PRDC staff & Liam Chapman

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If you have not yet received the Summer brochure by mail or email, download the info at or call www.goo.gl/McewtATracy at 514-694-6531 #218 as soon as possible.

Registration is done by postal mail only and will be accepted between February 15 and 26. Please note: Your registration confirmation and receipt will be mailed by March 15.

It’s time to register for the summertime!

A few spaces are still available for participants between the ages of 15 and 25 for our Weekend Away camp, from April 22 to 24 at Notre-Dame-de-Fatima (Île-Perrot) e cost is $200 and transport is included.

Contact Tracy at 514-694-6531 #218 or at for details.recreation@wiaih.qc.ca

Places available for Weekend Away camp

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Me Too! Daycare Integrationby Irena Wisniowski

A sparkly activity!Harvesting mint leaves Playing with magic sand

Snowy memoriesEnjoy these photos from our Weekend Away camp at Bon Départ the weekend of January 16.

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The lovely & talented Nat Heron

Pfizer volunteers

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Corporate volunteers from Great West Life,Pharmascience, P�zer, Cummins, Janssen, UPS,

and Frégeau and Associates took time out of their busy days to lend us a hand with various project at WIAIH, the Pat Roberts Developmental Centreand the Angelman Respite Centre. ank you!

Corporate Kindness

We are pleased to

welcome Lindsay

Giberson to our

team at WIAIH.

Lindsay is a student from Concordia

University studying Human

Relations. She will be doing her

stage here at WIAIH for the next

few months! Welcome aboard!

ank you to Don MacDougall and his team for organizing an evening in support of local charities, WIAIH being one of them. A donation of $2,500 was received for which we are very grateful!

WIAIH notepad

The heart of our Association

by Franca Kesic

by Mary Rainville

by Haydee Gabrielli

Here is our permanent staff in

their new WIAIH vests and

just half of our huge team of

recreation animators. Our

strength is certainly found in

these extraordinary people!

A new home for my son!For a long time, I have wanted to express my

gratitude to WIAIH and all their wonderful staff.

Aer another positive (and very important)

experience, it is time to express how I feel!

My son Fernando, who is 52 years old and has always

lived with me, has moved into the Valois Residence. With the help of the

wonderful staff, the transition to his new home was made with ease. e

Residence Coordinator, Mary, was very attentive to Fernando's needs and to

my concerns. She has a great heart and a wonderful sense of humour, and the

very caring staff welcomed us with open arms and warm hearts. ank you

all for your patience, caring and, above all, the love – you are what make the

residence “a home.”

Haydee has been a longtime supporter of WIAIH as well as one of our dedicated volunteers. Fernando and his family are well known to us! Welcome to the Valois

Residence, we are happy to have you as a part of the ‘Valois Family.’

Welcome!

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Worthwhile reading

TIPS TO SHARE compiled byFranca Kesic

Joanne Giacomini is a writer, editor, speaker and blogger of Exceptional Mom/Exceptional Child - - where she reveals www.exceptionalmomchild.comhow, in a way, her son with autism is raising her! She writes about parenting and autism on many other sites as well, and is thrilled to be published in The

Informer. WIAIH has a special place in her heart! You can follow her on Twitter @exceptmomchild.

Winter is finally here! Now those were words I’d never thought I’d hear myself say, out loud or on

paper! For a parent of a special needs child through, active play is as important as any other therapy. What kind of activities should you/could you do with your

child? Here are some that work for our family.

5 GREAT WINTER ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD

1. SleddingA chariot, smaller sleigh or tube and a nice hill of whatever size is all you need,

so you and your child can whiz down at top speed and have the time of your lives! And best of all, it’s a fun and free activity!

2. Public skating indoor or outdoorIt’s fun and economical if you go to your local community center. We pay $2 for

the two of us to skate. It’s free on the outdoor rinks.3. Build a snow fort or snowman

Works on gross motor skills and creativity.4. Walking

A short walk to the park... with the promise of hot chocolate back home.5. Skiing

Once you rent or own the gear, it’s great family fun with exercise and fresh air.

Sign up for the Leisure and Companion Sticker and benefit from 150 tourist and leisure activities in Montreal. The program

allows the companion of a person who requires assistance to have free admission to a wide variety leisure or tourist activities.

Visit to access the sign-up form.www.vatl.org/formulaire.phpFor more information please contact vatl@altergo.ca

or 514-933-2739 #400

Have fun with the VATL

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Months of planning, preparing and fundraising have paid off! We now have a fully equipped sensory room to offer our guests. Our sensory room is out�tted with a bubble tube, in�nity tunnel, �beroptics, a waterbed, a projector and much more! We are eager to put this room to good use as we are con�dent that our guests will greatly bene�t from this opportunity, along with everything that our facility and team has to offer.

The Angelman Respite Centre

New sensory room installed!

by Alison Rollins, Coordinator, Active-Action Day Program for Seniors, Angelman Respite Centre

We are happy to welcome the New Year with the opening of our Respite Centre. It has been a long time coming and is the result of tireless efforts to be able to offer a much-needed service to our community.

We have begun hosting tours for potential guests and their families. We intend on opening for occasional respite in the very near future (evening and daytime weekend blocks available) followed by our weekend respite program.

Please contact Alison at or 514-316-9017 #101 for more angelman@wiaih.qc.cainfo or to book a tour.

As Jonathan recently turned 21 years old, I felt it was time to increase his responsibilities at home, so I decided he could begin by packing his own lunch. He was very excited to oblige. I helped by packaging the carrots and cookies. He then selected other items and worked hard to get them to �t into his lunch box.... Sigh.

A liquid lunch? by Irena Wisniowski

PARENTS’ CORNER

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NEW ARRIVALS ATWIAIH’S RESOURCE CENTRESur le chemin d’autisme: vecu des parents suite a l’annonce du diagnostic

WIAIH Board member, Mike Gray, is now reviewing materials that we purchase for our resource centre. These books & DVDs are available for lending fromthe Resource Centre!

by Mike Gray

www.wiaih.qc.ca/node/57

DVD (32 minutes): par CECOM de l’Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies

is short French-language �lm shows different parents and professionals discussing their reactions to the discovery that their child is on the autism spectrum. It vividly points out the need for support of other parents, professionals, and perhaps most of all, the search for a public understanding of their situation by the community at large. All parents,

when confronted with such a diagnosis, wonder about their child’s prospects for a happy life. While each parent in the room is dealing with a diagnosis which is different from that of another parent, one common thread runs through each parent’s experience: their need for guidance. is is a �lm which gives hope.

Feeding Challenges in Young Children: Strategies and Specialized Interventions for Successby Deborah A. Burns and Stacy D. Thompson. 318 pages.

is is an evidence-based guide for both parents which outlines the various challenges they may oen face with respect to the feeding of their children. e authors begin by explaining the entire process of feeding development from birth. Topics covered are variations in feeding contexts across cultures, screening and assessment procedures, individualized plans for particular children, collaboration with professionals, as well as monitoring progress across time and in a variety of situations. At the back of the book there is a CD ROM which includes 50 pages of tools and handouts to be used in conjunction with the book.

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by Nat HeronFor more info about volunteering, contact Nat at 514-694-7090 #221 or n.heron@wiaih.qc.ca

VOLUNTEER NEWS

McGill Nursing students’ community project

Pfizer’s Elves, Cooks & Painters

is fall we had a fresh, young and enthusiastic group of McGill Nursing students who created promotional material for the Angelman Respite Centre. ey visited all of WIAIH’s programs and started volunteering regularly with the Active-Action Seniors Day Program. Aer developing some wonderful relationships with the participants, learning more about the Angelman Respite Centre and visiting WIAIH’s Coffee Break daytime support group, they discovered the importance of respite and the role it can play in keeping a family healthy and strong.

ey presented their work, which includes a poster, brochure and guide designed for respite guests to some members and staff. All agreed that they learned a lot and produced some very useful material.

For more details on the respite guide the students created, contact Alison at 514-316-9017 #101 or angelman@wiaih.qc.ca

I am really enjoying working at WIAIH and loving my position as Volunteer Coordinator. I have been on the job for just 5 months and in that time have become struck by the wonderful generosity of people in the West Island. is fall, WIAIH had the good fortune to welcome 3 groups of volunteers from P�zer who have donated their time and energy with smiles and open hearts.

Two groups from P�zer’s Legal Department came and volunteered with us in November. One group walked in the door and transformed into elves when they entered our Board Room to wrap gis for our Holiday Brunch. e second group came to the Angelman Respite Centre and contributed their wonderful cooking skills to prepare lasagna, casseroles, soups and homemade chicken �ngers. Now we have some meals ready to go!

In December, a group from P�zer’s Medical Information Department transformed the office in the basement of the Valois Residence with a long overdue coat of paint!

A big thank you to the wonderful people at P�zer for their open hearts and hard work. eir volunteer hours brought warmth, comfort and joy!

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For the Future: a tool to help parents planNEW WIAIH INITIATIVE

In the next few weeks, we will be launching a future planning program for families. For the Future will supply parents or siblings with the tools necessary to create a plan for their loved one that will lay out the care that should be provided when parents, caregivers or siblings are no longer able to do it themselves.

is will be a three-tiered program that will offer families peace of mind, guidance and the possibility of having WIAIH ensure that their plans are carried out. e dependant must have a private protective regime (tutorship or curatorship) to participate.

e �rst tier of the program will develop the Life Care Plan (LCP). is process will span 3 meetings and will cost $1,000. e �rst meeting will bring together the family, their dependant, a WIAIH staff member and a lawyer and/or a �nancial planner to determine the needs of the dependant, and to start creating the LCP. A second meeting between WIAIH and the family will iron out details; a third meeting will bring the whole team together to present, �nalize and sign off on the LCP, which will then be the property of the family to use as they desire. en, if families choose to proceed with the second tier of the program, WIAIH would be contracted to monitor the LCP. In the third tier of the program, WIAIH would become one of the trustees and oversee the needs and comfort of the dependant aer the death of the parents.

is winter, we will begin testing the �rst tier of For the Future and we look forward to meeting the evolving needs of our members. We thank Me. Pierre Frégeau, Me. Crystal Corrente and Me. David Egyes as well as Mr. Jeremy Hampson, CFP, CLU for their expertise and guidance to bring this project to fruition.

Thanks for the generous financial supportWIAIH receives from these organizations:

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Smiles all around!WIAIH’S HOLIDAY BRUNCH

What a great kick off to the Ho-Ho-Holiday Season! We swung into action and put on a great show on Sunday November 29 at the Marcel Morin Community Centre in Pierrefonds. e annual brunch kicked off the Holiday season for about 150 guests; all of them came ready to party. e food was fantastic and tasty. anks to all the volunteers (Gracias to the team of Spanish-speaking ladies) who worked in the kitchen to prepare the main course and desserts for serving. Families brought many different and delicious dishes, and many volunteers set up the room and welcomed guests. e music was wonderful and was donated by DJ Extraordinaire, Yvan Caro of Exclusive Events. Everyone was in a holiday mood and there was ample time to dance to the great music chosen by Yvan. Of course, Santa Claus arrived with gis galore and a hearty Ho! Ho! Ho! anks to his elves who helped him organize the gis for everyone. A big thank you goes to the Borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, to staff, to the volunteers, donors and everyone who came to have fun.

PARENT’S CORNER

My dear Alrica decided to initiate some leaf-raking, as she had noticed on our calendar that on the city would be doing a special pick up later that week. At one point I heard her talking (despite our windows being closed) and noticed that she was conversing in French. I peeped out the window, wondering if she was talking to someone on the street, or to herself, and lo and behold the teenager from across the street was talking AND raking leaves with Alrica.

It's a touch bittersweet because for most people, this would be more or less a natural occurrence, but with my girls, it's somewhat rare and so very special when someone extends their friendship in this way. Alrica then entered the house, all energized, asks for another bag and says "I'm speaking French, Mom, just like you want me to, and aer we are done with our leaves, I'm going to her house to help her out with theirs."

So now this mama heart-of-mine is bursting even more with pride and there's this quiet hope that these kinds of natural exchanges will occur more oen!

A heart full of gratitude

by Franca Kesic

by Terrie Bélanger Ardron