GPS Blog

Three Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder Many children on the autism spectrum may show developmental differences during their infant and toddler years, especially in social and language skills. There may be some delays in spoken language or differences in how they interact with peers. However, children on the autism spectrum usually sit, crawl, and walk on time. So, the subtler differences in the development of gestures (pointing), pretend play and social language often go unnoticed by families and doctors. Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about three of the early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children.   - Delay in or lack of joint attention One of the most important developmental differences between children on the autism spectrum and children without ASD is a delay in or lack of  joint attention . In fact, delays in joint attention skills are found in most children with ASD. -      ...

With Autism Spectrum Disorder being a widely diagnosed neurodivergent disorder, there have been a variety of published books about ASD in recent years. These books offer inspiration, guidance and hope to the Autism community. While Autism is heavily supported with research and therapies, sometimes, storytelling can resonate better with parents and educators that interact with children with special needs. Therefore, we have compiled a list of books - for children and adults - that we think make a big impact. Children's Books Children love stories, and books about autism may be one of the best ways to explain to young readers what they may be experiencing. Below are three fiction picture books, which you can also find on Youtube. 1. All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer "In All My Stripes, Zane the zebra feels different from the rest of his classmates. He worries that all they notice about him is his "autism stripe." With...

October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month in Canada. At Gifted People Services, we are proud to serve children that have learning delays or disabilities. We believe that children can thrive when they learn at their own pace and if their service is focused on building on their unique strengths. We strive for inclusivity which involves being aware of different learning styles and accommodations for those with delays or disabilities. According to the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, learning disabilities (LD) are defined as “specific neurological disorders that affect the brain’s ability to store, process, retrieve or communicate information. They are invisible and lifelong.” While this may sound definitive and overwhelming, people with learning disabilities can achieve success with the appropriate support and intervention. It starts with awareness and knowledge so that we can advocate for the learning needs of our children and students. Here is a brief overview of some...

  In 2022, Canada celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 70th anniversary of her accession to the Throne. To mark this milestone, a series of initiatives took place throughout Canada to honour The Queen’s service and dedication to this country and celebrate Canadian achievements of the last 7 decades. On September 6th, 2022, GPS' founder and executive director, Dianna Jiang, was pleased to accept the Platinum Jubilee Award. This award is even more meaningful after the Queen's passing and we are especially honoured and grateful to be acknowledged in this ceremony. Majid Jowhari, MP of Richmond Hill, Ontario, presented the award and our organization was recognized for our efforts in the community.    Community events such as these are important to our organization. It is an opportunity for us to connect with our greater community, to collaborate to continue building a brighter future for those with special needs. You can join us in serving ou...

Here at Gifted People Services, we recently celebrated our 10 year anniversary on August 26th, 2022. It has been a fulfilling and rewarding journey, not without many hardships. We are pleased to celebrate this milestone with our 10th Year Anniversary Gala in October. Here is an overview of the past 10 years at GPS: Origin of GPS About the Founder  Founded by a mother of a child with autism and global developmental delay, founder and executive director Dianna Jiang recognized the importance of support before and after a diagnosis of a developmental disability. She believed that people with special needs are gifted just like everyone else. Before GPS became an organization, Dianna organized parent support groups for families that had children with special needs and were going through similar struggles. The first parent support group was in March of 2012.  Learning and First Steps (2012-2013) In August, we officially registered as a not-for-profit organization and had our first f...

  Consistent, good habits can contribute to a positive and healthy lifestyle. This is true for all people, but especially impactful for people with ASD. Committing to good habits will directly help with routines and as you may know, children with ASD feel more at ease when routines are practiced consistently. When children know what to expect, and thus feel less anxious, they are set up for success. Additionally, good habits will help children become more independent, as they can grow to rely on themselves and feel accomplished as a result. Here are GPS’ tips on how to build good habits, just in time for the new school year approaching! First step  A good place to start when evaluating what habits to strive for could be thinking about what areas your child needs more independence or help with. Perhaps it’s getting ready for school or bedtime, meals, tidying up after themselves, or doing homework. Once you decide what type of routine you want your child to build good habits for...

  Going on vacation may seem like an overwhelming task for families with ASD. A trip, full of new and unpredictable experiences, though exciting and fulfilling, may seem out of reach. While it may take a lot of work to manage a smooth, successful trip, it will certainly be worthwhile for kids with ASD to experience new things as well as overcome the challenges of travelling. Luckily, there are many resources, both anecdotal and expert advice, that can help support you in preparing for your big trip. Here are a few of GPS’ tips: Be in tune with your child’s needs and set realistic expectations The first step to taking a vacation is planning it. In the midst of planning for a trip, it is important to consider your child’s needs, likes and dislikes. Plan for plenty of breaks and rest in between activities. It may also be a good idea to have a planner on the trip - it will be useful to see your planned out activities visually, and to take notes of what worked and didn’t work. Most imp...