Well Balanced Life with Grace & Mel

Part 2 on friendships is here! Listen to part 1 first if you haven't already where Gracie shared a story of her and her best friend going their separate ways. Part 2 is a continuation of past and present experiences and feelings. 

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Join Gracie as she tells Melanie about her experience at camp of losing her best friend of 7 years. Having autism or another developmental disability can make keeping friends a challenge. Grace unfortunately experienced this once again and wanted to explain her side of what happened. Stay tuned for part two!

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Join Grace and Mel as they share some recent losses and how they are handling their grief. If you are struggling with loss and grief, please see the links below for support. Some of these are for Simcoe County area in Ontario, but a google search in your location for grief counselling should offer you the support you need. We are thinking of you.

Grief and Loss Support

Hospice Simcoe:
https://hospicesimcoe.ca/community-programs/grief-and-bereavement-support/

Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County:
https://cfssc.ca/services/individual-counselling/individual-grief/

The Canadian Mental Health Association:
https://cmha.ca/brochure/grieving/

The Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario:
https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/understanding-and-coping-with-loss-and-grief/

Bereaved Families of Ontario - Please watch the video and see the 'Resources' section.
https://bereavedfamilies.net/

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Join Gracie and Mel while they talk about sex, consent, setting boundaries, and more! It is very important to be clear about what is okay and what is not. All of our children and youth are developing at their own rate, so use your own judgement as to how much to teach and share. But the topics of consent and boundaries are crucial in keeping our kids and others safe.

Resources:
https://researchautism.org/self-advocates/sex-ed-for-self-advocates/#:~:text=Welcome%20to%20Sex%20Ed%20for,starting%20point%20to%20change%20that.

https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/teachers/grade/differing-abilities/

https://ieautism.org/romantic-relationships/

Social Stories:
https://asdnext.org/social/page/2/

https://paautism.org/resource/relationships-social-story/


Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Join Grace and Mel as they give an update on the past couple of weeks leading up to Gracie going to overnight camp! Lots of anxiety and lots of excitement!! 

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Today's episode was to be about emotions. Gracie's curiosity and love of observing people's emotions. We did veer off topic a bit, but it was fun nonetheless! 

Email: [email protected]

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Are you starting to stress out because the school year is coming to an end and that means changes are coming? The knowns are turning into unknowns and this can be a scary time. Join Melanie as she shares how to advocate for your child with the school and help you prepare for September. 

Email: [email protected]

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Today's episode is about connecting with your child and developing a meaningful relationship. Melanie shares her experience on how she connected not only with her daughter Grace, but the students she was blessed to worked with.

Here are the links mentioned in today's podcast:
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)
Books - https://www.amazon.ca/Relationship-Development-Intervention-Young-Children/dp/1843107147/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35MQZOMXDLDLR&keywords=relationship+development+intervention&qid=1683935967&sprefix=relationship+devel%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.ca/Relationship-Development-Intervention-Children-Adolescents/dp/1843107171/ref=sr_1_2?crid=35MQZOMXDLDLR&keywords=relationship+development+intervention&qid=1683935967&sprefix=relationship+devel%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-2

Website - https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/relationship-development-intervention/

Floortime Method:
Book - https://www.amazon.ca/Engaging-Autism-Floortime-Approach-Communicate-ebook/dp/B00AXS6B3Y/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=2BFXUO0ASGO9E&keywords=floortime+method&qid=1683947421&sprefix=floortime+method%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Website - https://stanleygreenspan.com/resources-about-floortime/

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Gracie shares what her anxiety feels like while Melanie offers a couple of suggestions for resources that have helped her family and some children that she's supported. Autism, OCD, anxiety, panic, phobias, and more!

OCD and/or Anxiety information and training by Natasha Daniels:
https://www.anxioustoddlers.com/
This website is not just for toddlers! She has lots of information for youth, teens, and parents as well! AT Parenting now stands for toddlers and teens!

Books with great visuals and strategies to help with many things surrounding anxiety!
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09DCH4H4S?binding=paperback&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tpbk&qid=1683343538&sr=8-1

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone! 

Gracie is done her first year of college!! And she's already bored! Listen to Gracie share her thoughts on the changes that have begun with her routine, the seasons, and home life. Melanie will share tips on how to help your child entertain themselves with information on their blog!

Blog: http://www.wellbalancedlife.ca
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079563130264

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cover art photo by Sharon Light Photography

Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or check out our blog at www.wellbalancedlife.ca. And don't forget...you're not alone!