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AHEAD THE  NEWSLETTER  ABOUT  GIANT  STEPS    

A  SCHOOL  AND  THERAPY  CENTRE  FOR  ELEMENTARY  SCHOOL‐AGED  CHILDREN    WITH  AUTISM  SPECTRUM  DISORDER  

2 0 1 4  STEPPING 

This September marked the start of a landmark year here at Giant Steps – the 20th anniversary of our school & therapy centre for elementary school‐aged children with autism. 

Modelled on the Giant Steps program in Montreal, it was the hard work, dedication and persistence of a core group of families, and the foresight and support of the York Region District School Board that led to us opening our doors in 1995. Twenty years later, we continue our commitment to the model of intervention and integration that we were so passionate about then – providing coordinated, individualized programs of academics, life skills and specialized therapies to children with autism, and supporting them in their neighbourhood schools. 

We are especially grateful for your support as Giant Steps does not receive any government or school board funding for our therapy programs ‐ the speech, behaviour and occupational therapy programs that target and treat the unique challenges of autism, enabling kids to participate so much more meaningfully in their families, schools and communities.  

Our hats are off to you, the donors, families, friends and staff that have enabled so many kids with autism! 

Twice a week, Jordan Maloney is busy in our primary classroom, assisting 10 year-old Ricardo with his math and literacy lessons.

When Giant Steps’ doors opened in 1995, Jordan was one of our very first students, his parents part of a core group of families who advocated long and hard for the establishment of the Giant Steps program here in the GTA. Jordan is now 30, and giving back to students like the 11 year-old boy he was 20 years ago.

It is clear to everyone in the classroom that Jordan and Ricardo have developed a special connection and friendship. In addition to his work with Ricardo, Jordan’s volunteer activities at Giant Steps include engaging students during recess and in our gym during physical education activities, assisting students during snack and lunch times and providing clerical assistance in the classroom.

Thank you Jordan, a real member of the Giant Steps team!

Impacting kids through academics, therapies, life skills   integration 

WWW .G I A N T S T E P S T O RON T O . C A  

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A special volunteer What goes around comes around! 

While Canadian statistics are often quoted at 1 in 94, new data published in March 2014 by the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 1 in 68 children are now affected by autism‐ 1 in 42 boys and  1 in 189 girls. 

This figure represents a 120% increase since 2002. The reason for this increase is unknown.  Learn more at www.cdc.gov 

Autism grows again 

Now in our 20th year, Giant Steps thanks you for enabling  children  with  autism! 

Visit our website, follow us on Facebook or get on our mailing list... 

www.giantstepstoronto.ca 

facebook.com/GiantStepsToronto 

newsletters@giantstepstoronto.ca 

It’s Easy to stay in touch 

From Jack’s parents 

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Giant Steps was thrilled to welcome Susan Hay and her team from Global News Toronto this year ‐  Susan spent a day with us in February and featured Giant Steps on her program “Making a Difference”. 

 

“Making a Difference” is a segment on Global News which airs Mondays and Wednesday evenings and highlights organizations and individuals who are impacting their communities in the GTA. 

Global’s focus was on our primary classroom and included an interview with Laura, mother of  4 year‐old William, about the impact the Giant Steps’ program was having on her son. 

Watch our story on Global News’ website: globalnews.ca/tag/making‐a‐difference 

Global News Toronto features Giant Steps 

When our son Jack was first diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) at age 4, we did not know where to turn. Then Giant Steps came into our lives.

Giant Steps has provided Jack with a range of therapies as well as regular academic curriculum. Jack is integrated into our neighbourhood school with the support of a Giant Steps’ Program Assistant three afternoons a week and is doing great.

Now in Grade 5 and 10 years old, this co-ordinated approach to treating his ASD has made a great difference in Jack’s life. He is now communicative, confident and social beyond what we ever would have thought when he first entered the school.

The input, training, and support networks provided to us by the Giant Steps program have also helped our family with our day-to-day approach to dealing with his disability.

Words cannot express our gratitude for the Giant Steps’ team of teachers, therapists, and program assistants who have made such a difference in our lives.

- Martin and Nina, Jack’s parents

Success stories & news 

10 10 years at the  Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon  Sunday October 19, 2014 

133 participants, 1,100 donations   Featured Charity status   $80,000 raised this year & counting $900,000 since 2004!  Marking our 20th year, and 10 years at the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Giant Steps was thrilled to be a Featured Charity  alongside Loft Community Services and the Asthma Society  of Canada.  Our families and friends put it all out there on a cold and windy fall morning in the city, running and walking in the 5 km, half and full marathons.  With a booth at the pre‐race Expo and post‐race in Nathan Phillips Square,  Giant Steps and our lime green t‐shirts were everywhere on race weekend!   Huge thanks go out to each and every one of you, and all our teams and donors since 2004. Giant Steps has now raised an amazing $900,000 at the STWM – critical funding for our therapy programs for children with autism!  

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AHEAD STEPPING  2 0 1 4  

Reading buddy & XBox social groups in our Bridal Bash Foundation  Resource Centre  Skating, swimming and cooking lessons Street safety outings Tracking Team Canada at the Olympics Food truck visit Valentine, birthday & Hallowe’en celebrations Sports & Rec Club 3 evenings/week Yes I Can! Award earned by 13 year‐old Frankie Cheering on the Leafs at the ACC, courtesy of Autism Speaks Canada 

Siblings Fun Night in our KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation Climbing Centre Shayam Kaushal Charitable Foundation Life Skills Room opening Parent training sessions with therapists and teachers Raising the flag for World Autism Awareness Day Parent education on autism research at Holland‐Bloorview, iPad apps and  iPads in our classrooms Educational placements for students from Humber, Seneca & George Brown Colleges and high school co‐op programs Sharing our Unity for Autism Snoezelen Room with other schools 

Collaboration with Children’s Treatment Network on student communication plans, and with Early Intervention Services on Pivotal Response Training Professional Development on Proloquo2go communication software,  first aid and CPR training, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training, Therapressure Protocol Training, Hidden Curriculum social skills, Edmark Reading Program, Pivotal Response Training, positive reinforcement practices, Zones of Regulation  

Annual Raffle for Kids with Autism Circle of Friends dinner & dance LCBO donation drive Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Over $180,000 raised at our events 

The year  in review 

A busy and productive year at Giant Steps  

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Our students receive individualized, coordinated programs of academics, life skills training and speech, behaviour and occupational therapies. In addition, many of our children are integrated into their neighbourhood schools with Giant Steps’ support. Here are some highlights of the activities that enriched our core programs this year.  

The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation

AHEAD STEPPING  2 0 1 4  

S E R V I N G   C H I L D R E N  W I T H   A U T I S M ,  G I A N T   S T E P S   I S   A   S C H O O L  &   T H E R A P Y   C E N T R E    A F F I L I A T E D  W I T H   T H E   Y O R K   R E G I O N  D I S T R I C T   S C H O O L   B O A R D  

To donate online & receive an instant tax receipt,  visit www.CanadaHelps.org 

To make a Visa or Mastercard donation by phone,  call us at 905‐881‐3104 

To donate by cheque, mail to Giant Steps Toronto  35 Flowervale Road, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada  L3T 4J3 

www.giantstepstoronto.ca 

Appreciating our donors 

An Evening in October

We couldn’t do it without you OUR MAJOR GIFT DONORS

Paul B. Helliwell Foundation

Reg. Charitable #  898362579RR0001 

Reach out, donate now 

Alice & Murray Maitland Foundation

The Ben and Hilda Katz Charitable Foundation

Kiwanis Club of North York

Giant Steps’ therapy programs, technology, equipment and resources are  100% funded by our donors, our fundraising activities and our families. It’s a team effort, and we are grateful for each and every donation. 

Our donors of $500 & more - from November 2013 

Aqua Tech Pump and Power 

Associazione San Vincenzo Valleradice 

Bank of Montreal 

The BBQ Gourmet 

Benchmark Benefit Solutions 

Blair Building Materials Inc. 

Brettler/Mintz Foundation 

Build‐A‐Bear Workshop Bear Hugs   Foundation 

Valerie Burdo 

Clearway Construction Inc. 

CN Employees' and Pensioners'   Community Fund 

Cobra Float Service Inc. 

Con‐Drain Company Limited 

Bernie & Jolene Conti 

William Crothers 

Danny Cisterna 

Deloitte & Touche Foundation Canada 

Sandra Delzotto 

John Di Poce Management 

Domco Foodservices Canada Limited 

Dufferin Construction Company 

Dynex Construction Inc. 

The Elgez family 

Emco Supply. 

Empire Foods Ltd. 

The Fitzpatrick family 

Flemingdon Park Golf Club 

Frozen Pond 

Gary Bluestein Charitable Foundation 

The George Lunan Foundation 

Malcolm Graham 

Grazie Ristorante (Vaughan)  

Alan Hill 

Hometech Electronics 

Intercity Realty Inc., Brokerage 

Arlene Kern & Michel Paradis 

Kinross Gold Corporation 

Deidre Lam & Yves Gadler 

Peggie Lam 

Pamela Liegler 

Little Morello Vettese Segreto LLP 

MacGregor Socks 

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment 

Stephen Marsh 

Dan Mayer 

MCA Precision Machining  

Memme Construction 

Rob Micieli 

Howat Noble 

North American Produce Buyers Ltd. 

North Rock Group Ltd. 

Nortrax 

Parente Borean LLP 

Daniele Ponzi 

The Pottruff Family Foundation 

Radiant Fine Jewellers 

RDA Insurance 

Kevin & Tracey Riley 

Rockwell Contracting Ltd. 

Michael Rolland 

Samuel, Son & Co., Limited 

The Schulich Foundation 

Craig & Beverley Scott 

Robert & Karen Scott 

Ellen Shek 

David Singer 

Steve Singer 

Stronach & Sons Inc. 

TACC Construction Ltd. 

The Visram family 

Risa Whitnall & Steven Gryfe