Lansdowne LINK Community News Blog

Along with offering free, high-quality programs for children ages six and younger to help them develop skills around play, socialization, early learning, and more, EarlyON Child and Family Centres also help families build community with one another – and that’s especially the case with the Accessible EarlyON program. “All children aged six years and younger are welcome at all EarlyON programs." "We have the Accessible EarlyON in particular so that children in families who are

There’s a lot to do at the Accessible EarlyON program that runs on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the TB Costain SC Johnson Community Centre, 16 Morrell Street, Brantford, FLEXIBLE ENVIRONMENT We learn and explore through art, music, physical movement and sensory play. Co-facilitators Claire Soden, Development Consultant with Lansdowne Children’s Centre, and Ellie Murphy, Child Development Worker with Child and Family Services of Grand Erie, adapt the play and ac

Ahead of the return to school, Family Engagement at Lansdowne Children’s Centre hosted a special school-ready experience, Bertie the Bus, coinciding with the Autism Services’ Entry to School graduation. There was no cost for families to attend this event; special thanks to Sharp Bus Lines Limited for donating the bus for the event. There was no cost for families to attend this event. Families could also pick up a school readiness kit from Family Engagement and Autism Service

Representatives from Lansdowne Children’s Centre were at the King George Road Dairy Queen location on August 13 for Miracle Treat Day. Locally, the day serves as a fundraiser for McMaster Children’s Hospital, with the net proceeds of every Blizzard being donated.

Recently, Lansdowne Children’s Centre hosted two graduation services for its Entry to School participants. This program serves as a bridge to kindergarten for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Families registered with Ontario Autism Program (OAP) are selected and invited by the government agency to participate in the program, hosted by Autism Services at Lansdowne’s Brantford site.

Lansdowne Children's Centre Youth Ambassador Mason Bowen, at 12-years old, continues to outperform development milestones set by his doctors and continues to realize his potential.

Lansdowne Children’s Centre families recently had the opportunity to visit Apple Hill Lavender Farm in Norfolk County. Families were able to enjoy a self-guided tour of the lavender fields and some of the apple trees, as well as a story time with farmer Jennifer Schooley reading the Robert Munsch classic, Mortimer, and Lansdowne Communications Coordinator and children’s author Tamara Botting reading one of her books, Big Bother Brother. Lauren O’Neill, Lansdowne’s Family Enga

Limited edition Hero T-shirts celebrating the annual Lansdowne Children's Centre Heroes Walk and Roll fundraising event. Order yours today!

"Every step walked, every wheel rolled, every dollar donated, and every sponsorship secured helps create opportunities for children and families to access support in their journey to discover, grow and achieve their potential."

There are pieces of equipment for clients to practice occupational therapy skills, such as tying shoelaces, zipping zippers and buttoning buttons, as well as tabletop scissors. There are toys, including ones for infants and building block sets for older kids. There are simple musical instruments, balancing equipment, a wide variety of books for children and adults on a range of topics, DVDs, puzzles, board games and more.

Lansdowne Children’s Centre is so honoured to be a Top 5 nominee for Best Speech Services in the Health, Beauty and Wellness category for the Hamilton Spectator’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

Summer's not done yet, which means there’s still time to have fun and make memories! Here are some suggestions of things your family could try before school’s back in session. Do one, do a few, do them all, add your own ideas! Do a surprise act of kindness for someone special in your life! Make them a card, bake them cookies, draw them a cool picture – whatever will brighten their day. Make a piece of art inspired by your pet (or favourite animal)! You can draw it on paper,

The Rotary Club of Brantford recently donated $25,000 to Lansdowne Children's Centre for camp programs.

A gesture, a point, a look—these early attempts to connect are powerful stepping stones toward language. For children with additional needs, however, expressing wants, needs, and interests can be more challenging. That’s where sign language—especially simple, early signs—can make a meaningful difference.

Each year, a Lansdowne Children's Centre youth ambassador is selected to represent all of the clients and their families whose lives will be impacted thanks to this event. For the 2026 Charity Motorcycle Ride for Lansdowne Kids, the youth ambassador is Owen Soden.

The Bob Caissie Community Care Award was created to honour the legacy Bob created through his years of generosity with his time, talent and treasures. At the 2026 AGM event, Lansdowne Children's Centre honored Julie Neal with the award.

Lauren O’Neill, Lansdowne Children’s Centre’s interim Family Engagement Coordinator, wants client families to know she’s here for them. “I'm really passionate about bringing back the programs that had been serving them and listening to what they need for their well-being within my capacity here for programming,” Lauren said. In the past, events like Caregiver Craft Night and Coffee and Chat were a way for families of babies, kids and teens receiving services through Lansdowne

Mariam is one of the Support Workers at Lansdowne Children’s Centre, working with child and youth clients and helping them develop their communication and social skills. She was inspired to take on the role because of her “natural love for kids and helping people. I’m generally drawn to roles that help people feel supported, cared for, and understood.” Working with children and youth who have communication, physical and/ or developmental differences “has shown me the power of

The items in each Parker’s Promise kit are relatively common: a fidget, a lip chap, a tea bag, a pen and journal, and a card that explains how a person can use these things in a grounding exercise. This was done very intentionally by creator Shalyn Wilson, who wanted to make sure the items in the kit could be easily and relatively inexpensively replenished for continual use. “You can recreate that grounding exercise over and over and over again,” she said. Possibly the most i

Powered by passionate community leaders and dedicated volunteers, Lansdowne Children’s Centre and Brant Food For Thought are celebrating a new Smile Cookie record for fundraising in Brantford. Each organization has received $82,501.52 at the conclusion of the Tim Hortons 2026 Smile Cookie campaign, eclipsing the previous achievement of $79,415.54 each organization received through the 2025 campaign. The money was raised through the sale of Smile Cookies and associated mercha