August 14, 2020 - To date, our first phase of reopening for return to in-person service at our Lake Ridge locations has been going well. The protective measures and screening protocols are keeping our clients and teams safe.

4-Aug-2020 2:30 pm - The Ontario Minister of Children. Community and Social Services announced the launch of phase 1 of the Ontario Autism Program’s (OAP) Foundational Family Services of which Lake Ridge Community Support Services will be a provider for the Eastern Ontario region. Here is what you need to know about these FREE services available to families registered with the OAP.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has recently released a new online Children and Young Persons’ Rights Resource (Rights Resource) (www.ontario.ca/RightsResource). Here is what you need to know.

In order to keep our clients, caregivers, guests and our staff safe during phase 2, phase 3 and subsequent phases of the government’s re-opening of Durham Region, Lake Ridge Community Support Services have put in specific protocols.

We are happy to inform everyone that as of July 6, we are resuming in-person service at our Lake Ridge locations only. When we see our clients in-person again to resume service, things will be a little different. Here are some of the new protocols we have put in place to ensure a safe return to in-person services.

The 2019/2020 fiscal year proved to be a very eventful year. Our staff and Board of Directors continued to be our cornerstone of success and innovation. Their dedication, creativity and commitment assisted Lake Ridge through the changes and challenges of the year, all while providing continued individualized, quality, behavioural services for all of our clients.

Given the recent government announcements regarding moving to stage 2, we are continually monitoring the situation and preparing our Agency and staff to start the transition back to in-person service. Barring no changes from the government, or with the current situation, we are planning to slowly resume face to face services, at our Lake Ridge locations only, starting July 6, 2020.

In this trying time, we’re all simply doing our best to find fun activities for our families to do. Below is a list of sensory activities that may occupy your kiddos and maybe even you too! Sensory activities are beneficial for entertainment as well as keeping the kids busy while parents have the opportunity to get some chores done (i.e., dishes, laundry etc.).

Lake Ridge Community Support Services update based on the most recent announcement by the Ontario Government on phase 1 of re-opening the province.

During this uncertain time, many people are finding it difficult to keep busy, If you’re anything like me, maybe your default activity to keep you busy has been using your phone to browse social media or binge-watching your favourite show on Netflix. Regardless, I’ve noticed whatever I’ve chosen to do hasn’t been very meaningful, so I thought I’d share some ideas of some things that I have done and you can do to avoid excessive use of screen time.

23-APR-2020 - On March 16th after much deliberation, we decided to suspend all face-to-face services in response to the need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. While face-to-face services continue to be suspended to help proactively stop the potential spread of the coronavirus and ensure the safety of our clients, families, mediators and staff at Lake Ridge Community Support Services we continue to deliver effective ABA services via Telehealth and online Virtual sessions.

Saving money is always a win, but as the world struggles to deal with our new pandemic reality, financial constraints seem to be at the forefront of many people’s minds. Being a mom of 4, I have learned a thing or two about stretching the family budget to ensure everyone is fed, clothed and entertained. Here are a few simple, yet effective things you can do to feed your family well on a budget.

Best Practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19 from Durham Public Health Department, videos on hand washing and the recommended precautions.

March break and school shutdowns amid COVID-19 means parents will be entertaining their children for the next 3 weeks as we adjust to social distancing. In light of that here are some ideas of how you can keep your kids engaged and having fun during this unprecedented time.

15-MAR-2020 Given the continuously changing situation in Durham Region and Ontario with the COVID-19 virus, Lake Ridge Community Support Services with much deliberation has decided to suspend all face to face services for the next three weeks, effective Monday March 16, 2020. We plan to open Monday April 6, 2020 provided it is safe to do so. We are making this decision to help proactively stop the potential spread of the virus and ensure the safety of our clients, families, mediators and staff.

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day, while Autism Speaks dedicates the month of April to increase understanding and acceptance and to foster support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Autism Speaks, n.d.). This is done by lighting up buildings blue, wearing blue, knowledge sharing, and fundraising.

5-MAR-2020 Corona Virus update, who is at risk, and how can you protect employees and clients. To date (5-Mar-2020), 2 cases of novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been reported in Durham Region. The Health Department continues to monitor the situation closely.

It’s March and that means March Break is upon us. With school stoppages this year you may be running out of ideas on how to keep your kids busy. Especially if you weren’t able to get them into a camp on time. Here are 5 things you can do to keep your kids busy and having fun.

On their Sesame Street & Autism site, Sesame Street is providing interactive daily routine cards that specifically focus on instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like going to a birthday party and activities of daily living (ADLs) like washing hands.

Here are 3 ways children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to be victimized by bullies and what you can do about it. Like anyone else, children with autism spectrum disorder are susceptible to bullying. In fact, kids with ASD may be at a disadvantage in social situations that can leave them more exposed to bullies than your average child.