Learning Disabilities & ADHD Network

What are you searching for?
There is something for everyone:
Parents
Young adults who want to be more independent
Adults in the workplace
Educators..and anyone who's been waiting for our conference tickets to go live!
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/June-2026-Newsletter.html?soid=1139174151465&aid=i70W7BLJS7s

We hear from a lot of families who are on the FSCD waitlist. Share your experience!

CBC is investigating the experience of families on waitlists for the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program as well as families benefiting from FSCD supports here in Alberta.

This is an important opportunity to help build a clearer picture of how access to supports and barriers to access are affecting families, and to ensure these experiences are better understood.

If you are interested in sharing your experience with the CBC, we would encourage you to fill out the CBC's short survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmMs0MBp0c2YLv2hnF-qhFIZ48RmCbYDLFh98z1lYkDYZSMg/viewform?usp=header

We need your survey input!
Are you an adult with or a and have considered disclosing at work in order to receive accommodations?

We're in the process of developing workplace disclosure supports and are welcoming your lived experience in shaping them.

The survey is short, anonymous and we're welcoming stories from all across Canada!

Click the link: Your Workplace Disclosure Experience Survey
https://forms.gle/s2HK5S5NZVfyiqpV6

The May newsletter...sneak a peek!
- What the ADHD brain is doing is constantly being refined and redefined by researchers from all over the world. Check out these new discoveries.
- May is scholarship season. Do you know about these ones?
- Workplace Disclosure...it's a tough one. Colleen's Smereka shares her experiences, and we invite you to share yours by participating in our short survey.
-This is just a peek. Click here to get all of the news: https://conta.cc/425euUX

How do you get your kids to unplug? Devices can play a big role in exacerbating mental health issues and children with LD or ADHD are already more prone to social isolation, emotional dysregulation, anxiety and other challenges.
Check out this FREE event on how to help flip this script for a healthier childhood.

Screens are everywhere – in our homes, schools, and pockets. Many parents and educators are asking the same question: How do we help children find balance in a digital world?

Join us for a conversation inspired by Katherine Johnson Martinko’s book Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance, which offers practical guidance for helping children spend less time on screens and more time reading, playing, and exploring the world around them.

This event will feature a keynote presentation by the author, followed by a panel discussion with local experts who will share insights, research, and realistic strategies to help families navigate screen use in today’s digital environment.

Expert panel featuring:
- Dr. Sheri Madigan, Professor in the Department of Psychology and Tier I Canada Research Chair in Child Mental Health and Well-being at the University of Calgary.
- Dr. Mengguo Jing, Assistant Professor in Learning Sciences with the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary.
- Sara Austin, Founder and CEO of Children First Canada.

Event Moderator: Dr. Susan Graham, Director of the Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Scientific Director of the Azrieli Accelerator, and Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary.

The first 200 guests through the door receive a free copy of Katherine Johnson Martinko's book.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, caregiver, or community member, together we’ll explore how small changes can help create a childhood that is richer in reading, creativity, and real-world connection.

Register for free at https://childhoodunplugged.eventbrite.ca

ADHD medications...always a hot topic!
Come prepared with your questions for Dr. Dan Ross, a local Calgary pediatrician with more than 27 years of experience with child and adolescent ADHD.

Deciding to start a child or adolescent on medication can be a daunting process, and there are often many questions surrounding this decision. A Deep Dive into Medications for ADHD for Children and Adolescents is an informative evening workshop designed for parents, students (14+), families, educators, counselors, and community members who want to better understand ADHD medications and the role they can play in supporting children and adolescents.

Led by Dr. Dan Ross, this session will explore how ADHD medications work in the brain, the similarities and differences between medication types, how medications are delivered, how medications are chosen, and what side effects should be considered for both treatment and non-treatment.

Click here to learn more and register today: https://ow.ly/tezG50YrquE

"...curating a Creative and Compassionate Conversation..." Join Wakefield Brewster for what will be an incredible evening as any event with him is!
Friday, April 10
6:00 - 7:30PM
2540 Kensington Road NW
2nd floor
$20.00
Get your ticket:
https://ow.ly/jFzT50Yv0ym

These Wonderful Worlds

GoodPeople, good things are happening…

Over the last near decade of sobriety, I have gained crystal clarity, and restored vision.

Bridging the personal and poetic gap between entertainment and education is becoming more solid than ever.

My second career in Health and Wellness as an RMT has given me new purpose, and nurturing perspectives.

My public reach with Poetry and SpokenWord has broadened into circles that are not necessarily artistically oriented, Commerce, STEM, Wellness.

National Poetry Month

“Writing Change Into The World”

Words & Wellness

This trifecta of elements is one that I have longed to assemble in a comprehensive facilitation, to share with others.

Thanks to Andrea Gordon, Drew Scherban, and the wonderful support of the Calgary Mental Health Association, it shall come to fruition, very soon.

We are curating a Creative and Compassionate Conversation, and we are inviting you to join us.

Friday, April 10
6:00 - 7:30PM
2540 Kensington Road NW
2nd floor
$20.00

Get your ticket:
https://ow.ly/jFzT50Yv0ym

GoodPeople,
Welcome to “My Wonderful Worlds of Words and Wellness”™️

~W.

P.S.

Most Honourable Mention to Jeff Turner, who interviewed me for his CMHA Podcast: “As I, a Peer”.

Reading to Ponies?!
This is just one of the family events coming up in May. But what about April?
Check out our April newsletter for more to interest parents, couples and teachers.
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/April-2026-Newsletter.html?soid=1139174151465&aid=JjcJM_kDRKc

The wait is over! The full lineup of conference sessions and speakers is officially released. Explore the sessions and start planning your conference experience, from expert-led sessions to inspiring speakers who are shaping the future of literacy. Get ready for a weekend of learning, connection, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your work.

https://conference.idaontario.com/agenda-2026/

Get your tickets before they sell out! https://conference.idaontario.com/purchase/

Attendees - The conference app is now available! Select sessions and customize your profile. Email us if you haven't received your login credentials

What is Dyslexia to you?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DyslexicStrengthsInSchools

Our biggest ever global survey is live - NOW!

Please take 3 mins to fill it in today. 🙏

We're building the biggest ever snapshot of how the world understands in schools.

Just as this example shows... every dyslexic child can unlock their potential when they are supported by teachers who are trained to understand their strengths and support their challenges.

If you're a dyslexic, a parent, teacher, educator or ally - your voice matters.

It takes just 3 minutes and will help our work to reshape education.

👉 Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DyslexicStrengthsInSchools

🙏 And please share far and wide.