Get to know the CISS Team!

Pina.jpgName:               Pina Giovannitti, RECE, BA Psych, BST        

Position:           Behaviour Consultant

The Behaviour Consultant Supports the inclusion of children with special needs by observing, consulting, training and developing effective behaviour strategies to be implemented in licensed child care programs. Using a team approach, the Behaviour Consultant supports the Resource Consultant with their CISS caseload and manages a caseload through the Positive Outcome Program (POP).  POP is a behaviour program for children who are not eligible for CISS. Continue reading →

The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World That Values Sameness

TheEndOfAverage.jpg“Only equal fit creates equal opportunity”. This is the conclusive statement that Todd makes in his book. It takes the concept of equal opportunity for all, to a place of understanding the benefits of how we recognize a person’s potential. Then changing the environments we learn, work and play in, to maximize that potential to everyone’s benefit.

“If the environment is a bad match for our individuality…our performance will always be artificially impaired. If we do get a good fit with our environment – whether that environment is a cockpit, a classroom, or a corner office – we will have the opportunity to show what we are truly capable of.” Continue reading →

Letter to you, my perfectly imperfect daughter…

Your birth on April 18th 2015 was the happiest day of my life. You know, less than a year before your arrival, you had a big brother but he had the wings of an angel. So when I held you in my arms for the first time, it was both a relief and the culmination of a big dream; becoming a mother. You arrived 4 weeks earlier than expected after nearly 23 hours of labor.

JulieBenoit

Photo credit: Jessica Côté

When I saw you for the first time, I was ecstatic but this little voice inside my heart and my head was telling me that something wasn’t right. I guess we can call it intuition. When I changed your diaper for the first time, I noticed right away this little malformation on your skin in your lower back. I didn’t waste any time; I spoke to your doctor and from then on, a range of specialists entered your life and you have had to undergo a whole battery of tests that caused you to suffer more often than not. All the doctors seemed worried but nobody knew what was really going on so we were referred to different specialists. Continue reading →

Little Monkey Calms Down

LittleMonkey.jpgLittle Monkey Calms Down is a colourful picture book that easily describes the actions that young children express when feeling frustrated or angry. In short simple phrases, the Monkey explores concrete strategies to help himself in calming both his mind and body. The phrases are short and easily relatable for preschool aged children. This book is the perfect tool to support teaching of emotions; children often enjoy sharing this book with a friend who may be feeling this way. Little Monkey Calms Down is the perfect addition to any calm down area. Continue reading →