Child Development Institute

This school year, Ontario introduced new expectations around attendance and participation in high school classrooms.

It’s undeniable that being present and engaged at school is critical to a student’s learning and development. But improving attendance also means understanding and addressing the barriers that make it difficult for youth to walk through the doors.

Mental health challenges, school anxiety, bullying, and family circumstances can all contribute to absenteeism and disengagement. When we address these challenges early, we have a better opportunity to prevent them from escalating.

For youth with learning disabilities, that early support is especially important — before academic challenges at school become a source of frustration, isolation, and anxiety.

CDI’s Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Counselling services use specialized therapeutic approaches tailored to each youth’s learning style, helping them build coping mechanisms and improve their self-esteem. Our services are strength-based with youth being understood in the context of their family and community.

Attendance is important but ensuring that youth have access to the support they need to approach the school year with confidence is just as critical.

This back-to-school season, your support can help CDI continue to reach children, youth, and families earlier — giving them tools that will shape how they learn, connect, and thrive for years to come.

Donate today: 🔗 Link in comments

⌛ Only 5 days left to register for CDI’s Fall 2026 Mindfulness Martial Arts (MMA) program!

By integrating martial arts with mindfulness and yoga, MMA promotes physical and mental wellness for youth experiencing learning disabilities and mental health challenges. In a therapeutic environment, youth build emotion regulation skills that they can carry with them to school, at home, and across social settings.

• No waitlist
• Beginner and Advanced Groups
• For youth ages 12-17
• 12-week group sessions
• Based in Toronto

Reach out to our team today for more information: https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/12-18-youth-family-services/12-18-mental-health-and-learning-disabilities-ldmh-counselling-services/ -recreation

This September, the high cost of living remains a widespread concern for Ontario families, and recent trade tensions with the United States have added another layer of economic uncertainty.

Children and youth may not understand inflation or tariffs, but they do understand when things feel different at home. They notice when grocery shopping becomes a source of stress. When extracurricular activities become unaffordable.

That additional stress can follow them to school — showing up as anxiety, difficulty regulating emotions, violent behaviours, chronic absences, and disengagement.

By intervening early and better equipping the caregivers around them, we can make sure children and youth receive the support they need before challenges escalate.

That’s why CDI’s Family and Community Counselling services focus on supporting the whole family. Through parent counselling, family therapy, parenting guidance, consultation with schools, and more, our clinicians strengthen the network of support around children and youth who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental, and behavioural difficulties.

This back-to-school season, your support can help CDI continue to reach children, youth, and families earlier — giving them tools that will shape how they learn, connect, and thrive for years to come.

Donate today: 🔗 Link in comments

On September 24, 2026, join CDI’s free online workshop: “Anxiety and Learning Disabilities.”

Our experts will explore the unique relationship between anxiety and learning disabilities (LDs), discuss strategies for better understanding and supporting children and youth, and more!

Are you a caregiver, educator, counsellor, or interested community member looking to deepen your understanding of LDs through current insights in the field?

Reserve your spot today: https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/ldmh-workshops/

A new school year brings new opportunities, but it can also bring big emotions, new social pressures, and challenges that our youngest students are still learning to navigate.

Without the proper mental health supports, those challenges can escalate to chronic absences, significant classroom disruptions, and violent incidents.

In fact, violence in Ontario schools has increased by nearly 80% since 2018-19.

But children shouldn’t have to reach a crisis point before receiving support.

At CDI, early intervention means giving children the skills to manage difficult moments, problem-solve, and make positive choices before issues escalate.

This focus on prevention is at the heart of CDI’s SNAP® for Schools program. Now operating across 20+ school boards, the program brings evidence-based socio-emotional learning directly into grade 2-4 classrooms — helping thousands of children each year build skills they can carry from the classroom into their homes and communities.

The result? Teachers are consistently reporting reduced aggression, fewer disruptive behaviours, and stronger engagement among students.

As Ontario works to create safer classrooms this September, SNAP proves that prevention must be part of the solution.

This back-to-school season, your support can help CDI continue to reach children, youth, and families earlier — giving them tools that will shape how they learn, connect, and thrive for years to come.

Donate today: https://ow.ly/gqYz50ZOM1t

This Thursday, September 10, join “Walk A Mile in My Shoes”, CDI’s free online workshop designed to help participants better understand what it may feel like to live with a learning disability.

Our experts will explore how learning disabilities can impact a child’s everyday functioning, the factors that can make those experiences more complex, and new ways of interpreting challenging behaviours.

This workshop offers practical strategies for caregivers, educators, counsellors, and other interested community members looking for deeper insight into the intersection between learning disabilities and mental health.

🔗 Reserve you spot now! https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/ldmh-workshops/

The back-to-school season comes with a lot of new:

New routines.
New expectations.
New challenges.

For kindergarten and elementary students, all that change can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and plenty of big feelings. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to know the right approach to help your child feel supported, confident, and prepared during these first weeks.

Small steps taken early can make a big difference towards building a strong foundation for the year ahead.

From conversation starters to practicing social skills, our experts have shared some practical back-to-school tips for caregivers to help make the transition a little smoother!

Register for CDI’s Learning Disabilities and Mental Health (LDMH) fall Workshop Series!

These workshops will explore important topics at the intersection of learning disabilities and mental health, from anxiety and emotion regulation to memory, social experiences, self-advocacy, and more.

Led by our team of experts, these interactive workshops are designed to provide parents, caregivers, educators, and community members with practical strategies, helpful insights, and a deeper understanding of how to support children and youth with learning disabilities.

🗓️ September – November 2026
💻 Virtual workshops
🔗Reserve your spot today! ...link in comments

Fall registration for CDI’s Here to Help group program is now open!

Here to Help supports mothers, children, and youth on their healing journey after experiences of gender-based violence — creating a safe environment to process emotions together and learn that they are not alone.

• No waitlist
• No cost
• For mothers and children ages 4-18
• 12 weekly, in-person sessions
• Interpretation services available

Reach out to our team today for more information: https://childdevelop.ca/child-youth-mental-health-services/gender-based-violence-services/?utm_source=Social+Media&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=GBVS_Registration_Fall2026