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Give Today Ways To Give Meet The Kids Partner Profiles Impact Report Our Board Contact Us < Back OWEN Hello, my name is Owen Wilson. I am a 12-year-old energetic young man. I really like poutine and pizza and have recently got my gun and hunting license because I think it’s cool to go to the range with my Dad. My Mom and my Uncle own Ken’s Towing and since I was five years old I could help run the controls on the tow truck. When it’s a PD day from school I go to the shop with my Mom and she lets me go on calls with the drivers and I get to talk on the two-way radio, which is cool. I like to build things with my lego, right now I have a remote-controlled lego tow truck that I am working on, it is pretty hard but with my determination I know I will complete it. In the summertime, I enjoy lending a hand cutting grass for people. I have really enjoyed the programs at Lansdown Children Centre especially the Stemotics workshop, social club, and going swimming. I enjoy the social aspect of these programs. I was enrolled in the DIY/Horticulture workshop and really enjoyed that because I got my hands dirty. If you asked my family and friends to describe me they would say I am a caring, compassionate, loveable guy with a big heart of gold, a positive role model, and can give you words of encouragement if you are down. The children and families of Lansdowne thank you for your support. Dontate Today Contact Us

A Lansdowne Wayfinder is a proud family ambassador—someone who helps light the path for others by sharing their lived experience with Lansdowne Children’s Centre. Connecting with community members in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Inspire others with your Lansdowne story. Learn more. WHY SHARE? WAYFINDERS YOUR IMPACT APPLY TODAY SIGN UP WATCH VIDEO Your Voice Can Empower Another Family A Lansdowne Wayfinder is a proud family ambassador—someone who helps light the path for others by sharing their lived experience with Lansdowne Children’s Centre. As a voice for the infants, children, youth, and families supported through therapy, respite, and recreation services and programs, a Wayfinder brings understanding, empathy, and authenticity with every story they share. By sharing a real Lansdowne journey, Wayfinders help the community see the impact of early intervention, support, connection, and possibility. Their stories break down barriers, build awareness, and inspire others to reach out, get involved, and believe in what’s possible. Together, Lansdowne Wayfinders help to grow a stronger, more informed community—and play a vital role in advancing Lansdowne’s mission to help every child to realize their optimal potential. The Duties and Invitations of a Lansdowne Wayfinder Participation will be based on what works for you and your family. Eligible applicants are invited to: Take part in media opportunities , that may include print and/or video interviews and storytelling, a photo shoot for promotional and/or editorial images, being featured on Lansdowne marketing materials for events, programs and/or services Promote Lansdowne services/events , that may include attending events, speaking in-person to a live audience, recording a message to played for an audience, acting as ambassador and/or Grand Marshal, and/or stewardship activities, like colouring and/or signing thank you cards for Lansdowne partners and supporters (supplied by and mailed out by Lansdowne) Lansdowne Children's Centre is deeply committed to family‑centred care . We strive to ensure that the voices and lived experiences of families are reflected in how we engage our community, advocate for children’s services, and build understanding of the critical role that Lansdowne plays in supporting child health and development. APPLY TODAY Milestones & Moments Share Your Lansdowne Story, Your Child's Progress and the Impact of Community Connection Jade’s Brave Wing: A mother’s journey of turning trauma into hope for families navigating Brachial Plexus Injury (BPI) “Connecting with Lansdowne changed everything. It equipped us with the tools to help her, and that knowledge was powerful.” Following a traumatic, unplanned delivery where Jade had to be resuscitated, she was diagnosed with a left BPI, damage to the network of nerves... "Team Isla" shares their Lansdowne journey, 2025 Heroes Walk and Roll amabassadors Brantford's Isla Clarke is this year's Lansdowne Children's Centre ambassador to the Heroes Walk and Roll in Brant Park, October 4 ‘I like motorcycles, and I like Lansdowne’, youth ambassador to Motorcycle Ride for Lansdowne Kids Matthew Cowling, who has been accessing programs and services at Lansdowne Children's Centre for child development for most of his life, will be serving as the centre’s ambassador for the 2025 Charity Motorcycle Ride for Lansdowne Kids, taking place June 28 in Brantford, ON. 1 2 3 Small steps. BIG moments. Sign Up To Share Your Story Who is impacted by your story? 6,650+ 7,000+ local infants, children and youth, and their families, on a journey to explore potential with Lansdowne Children's Centre social media followers of @LansdowneChildrens, consuming content about centre programs, events and community support 250,000+ community members in Brantford, Brant County, Haldimand County, Norfolk County, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit—and beyond APPLY TODAY *includes active and wait list Lansdowne clients, as of March 31, 2025. **includes full-time and part-time Lansdowne staff, as well as service providers working in Lansdowne-supported community environments ***includes summer and day camp and community camp experiences, and inclusive community recreation experiences. ****population figures are based on 2021 census data Journey Together

Brantford/Brant County - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation - Six Nations of the Grand River RECREATION SERVICES All Services Index RECREATION SERVICES Every Kid Counts (EKC) The Every Kid Counts (EKC) program provides children and youth with special needs an equal opportunity to participate in local, community-operated recreational programs of their choice. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EKC PROGRAM - CLICK HERE - for EKC FAQ, for more details about program eligibility, operation and availability to Lansdowne clients Each child/youth is matched with a Support Worker who provides both hands-on and programming support to the child, family and recreation staff. Recreation Services provide opportunities designed to assist and encourage children and youth clients to take advantage of individual or group activities directed towards promoting physical, cultural, and/or social development. These activities allow clients to explore their interests, exercise their skill sets and pursue personal development. Eligibility Start Referral Children and youth between the ages of 4 and 18, who reside in Brant County and have a developmental delay and/or a physical disability. Goals, Skills and Keywords Expectations After the referral is received, you will be contacted by the Every Kid Counts Co-ordinator do discuss program options. A skilled support worker will be matched with your child/youth. The support worker will attend the community recreation program you have chosen with your child/youth. It is the caregiver’s (your) responsibility to transport their (your) child/youth to and from the activity as well as pay for the cost of the activity. You Belong Here. Are you passionate about working with infants, children and youth to help realize their potential? Are you seeking a career in pediatrics? Join our team at Lansdowne Children's Centre for child development. Careers

Board Chair, Chair of Long Range Planning Committee Ashley Veldkamp, Centre Board - Lansdowne Children's Centre. Serving the needs of the children and youth, and their families, who access services and support for communication, developmental and physical needs, at Lansdowne Children's Centre in Brantford, Caledonia, Dunnville and Simcoe. < Back Previous Next Ashley Veldkamp Board Chair, Chair of Long Range Planning Committee Ashley Veldkamp joined our board in 2017 and is a real estate agent and a parent of a child with special needs. As a member of a Lansdowne client family, Ashley has experienced multiple services and supports at Lansdowne.

Comment not Questions communication strategies | Speech, Early Years | Lansdowne Children's Centre Resource Library Comment not Questions communication strategies We often ask too many questions and this stops conversation instead of keeping it going. Download printable PDF handout/activity pages Comment not Questions communication strategies no download available Download Keywords and search terms commonly associated with this resource include: PSL26-09AS, communication, strategy, speech, development, parent, caregiver, conversation

Questions or concerns about your child's developing communication abilities? This milestone guide invites you to check off the skills that your child is demonstrating on a consistent basis. If your child does not meet all the milestones for their age, we recommend that you complete a referral submission to SmartStart Hub at Lansdowne Children’s Centre to gain access to resources, assessment, services and supports. We can help your child to realize their optimal potential. Start Instructions Feedback 6 months 9 months 12 months 18 months 24 months 30 months 36 months Speech & Language Development Checklist, 0 - 36 months Do you have questions or concerns about your child's communication abilities? We can help To begin, continue to the Instructions tab, or select the age that is closest to the age of your child. By 6 months old my child can: Turn towards sounds Watch your face when you talk Smile and laugh in response to your smiles and laughs Make different cries for different needs, e.g. tired, hungry Make different noises, e.g. coo, gurgle Recommended Resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 10 Open Labelling communication strategies Open Say What They Mean communication strategies Open Face to Face, Communication Strategies Speech & Language Development Checklist, 0 - 36 months Every child learns and develops in their own unique way. This communication checklist provides development milestones that most children are demonstrating in each age group. Check off the abilities that your child is demonstrating on a consistent basis. If you have concerns about unchecked milestones. first consult the online resources provided for more information. The recommended streaming videos and printable activities will help you enage in play-based learning with your child. Often these universal strategies for skill development will help a child's progress. If you have multiple incomplete milestones, and especially if you have incomplete milestones from an earlier age group, please consider completing a referral with SmartStart Hub to access opportunities for assessment, support and therapy services. There is no cost to access SmartStart Hub resources, services and supports at Lansdowne Children's Centre. By 9 months old my child can: Respond to his/her name Understand “no” Get what they want by sound and gesture, e.g. reaching to be picked up Play social games like ‘peek-a-boo’ Babble and repeat sound, e.g. “babababa” Enjoy being around people Recommended Resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ... 11 Open Labelling communication strategies Open Say What They Mean communication strategies Open Face to Face, Communication Strategies By 12 months old my child can: Follow simple directions, e.g. sit down Use at least three words Babble using lots of different sounds Shake head for “no” Draw your attention to an object by using gestures or sound and looking at you, e.g. looks up to the sky and points to a bird and then looks back at you Recommended Resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ... 12 Open Labelling communication strategies Open Say What They Mean communication strategies Open Face to Face, Communication Strategies By 18 months old my child can: Point to several body parts Use at least 20 words Make at least 4 different consonant sounds – b, n, d, g, w, h Respond to yes/no and “wh” questions, e.g. “Do you want a drink?”, “Where’s the truck?” Start to put two words together, e.g. “Mommy bye bye” Understand simple directions, e.g. “put your hat on“ or “go get the doll” Understand concepts like “in” or “off” Engage in pretend play, e.g. giving a doll a drink Recommended Resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ... 12 Open Labelling communication strategies Open Say What They Mean communication strategies Open Face to Face, Communication Strategies By 24 months old my child can: Use at least 100 words Consistently put two or more words together, e.g. “bubble go up” Use at least two pronouns, e.g. “mine”, “you” Be understood 50% of the time by unfamiliar people Follow two-step directions, e.g. “go get your car and put in the toy box” Enjoy playing with other children and start to imitate them Recommended Resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ... 13 Open Labelling communication strategies Open Say What They Mean communication strategies Open Face to Face, Communication Strategies By 30 months old my child can: Say their name Consistently use 3-4 words in a sentence Use more than 350 different words Use some adult grammar, e.g. “two dogs”, “baby’s crying” Use action words (eat, jump) and pronouns (you, mine) Produce 2-3 syllable words, e.g. ba-na-na Understand concepts such as big/little, and prepositions such as in, off, under Have complex play sequences, e.g. put blocks in a truck, drive it, then dump them Take short turns with other children Recommended Resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ... 13 Open Labelling communication strategies Open Say What They Mean communication strategies Open Face to Face, Communication Strategies By 36 months old my child can: Use sentence of 4-6 words with adult-like grammar Be understood 75% of the time by everyone Follow long, complex directions Ask “wh” questions eg “what”, “where” Use descriptive words like colour and size Use “in” and “on” when asked “where” questions Recommended Resources 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ... 13 Open Labelling communication strategies Open Say What They Mean communication strategies Open Face to Face, Communication Strategies When you're done, please come back to this tab and let us know about your checklist experience. Your feedback helps us to improve. Thank you! How was your experience? Don’t love it Not great Good Really good Love it Where are you from? How old is your child? Submit Thank You! Your feedback has been submitted.

Early Years, Behaviour Tips - Video Playlist | EarlyYears, Kindergarten | Lansdowne Children's Centre Resource Library Early Years, Behaviour Tips - Video Playlist Download printable PDF handout/activity pages Early Years, Behaviour Tips - Video Playlist no download available Download Keywords and search terms commonly associated with this resource include:

Board Member, (Leave, June 2026) Jason Lickers, Centre Board - Lansdowne Children's Centre. Serving the needs of the children and youth, and their families, who access services and support for communication, developmental and physical needs, at Lansdowne Children's Centre in Brantford, Caledonia, Dunnville and Simcoe. < Back Previous Next Jason Lickers Board Member, (Leave, June 2026) Jason Lickers joined the board in 2023. Jason is motivated to help children and youth by helping to find the best opportunities for them to thrive.

Board 2nd Vice Chair Jennifer Steffler, Centre Board - Lansdowne Children's Centre. Serving the needs of the children and youth, and their families, who access services and support for communication, developmental and physical needs, at Lansdowne Children's Centre in Brantford, Caledonia, Dunnville and Simcoe. < Back Previous Next Jennifer Steffler Board 2nd Vice Chair Jennifer Steffler joined the board in 2023. Jennifer is a Lansdowne client parent, and Executive Director of Rygiel Supports for Community Living, Hamilton. She is passionate about belonging and amplifying the voices of people supported and their families.

Brantford/Brant County - Haldimand/Norfolk County - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation - Six Nations of the Grand River FAMILY ENGAGEMENT All Services Index FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Family Engagement on FACEBOOK Managed by the Family Engagement Coordinator, this online forum is a safe space for the parents, families, and caregivers of infants, children and youth with special needs ask questions, discuss ideas, or just vent! Rules: 1) Be respectful of everyone, and try to keep conversations positive. 2) Admins will be in charge of accepting new members. 3) Selling/asking for donations is not allowed. 4) All information posted in this group is confidential. Please DO NOT publicly share ANY post made in this group. Lansdowne Caregiver Corner Facebook Group is a private group monitored by the Family Engagement Coordinator. The views and opinions expressed in this group are solely the ownership of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect those of Lansdowne Children's Centre. Eligibility Join Facebook Group Log in to Facebook to connect with the Lansdowne Family Engagement group. Qualifying questions may be asked by the group host. Please respect the group's rules. Goals, Skills and Keywords Expectations A private Facebook Group hosted and monitored by Lansdowne client family peers and the Family Engagement Coordinator (FEC), providing opportunity to network socially and ask questions. You Belong Here. Are you passionate about working with infants, children and youth to help realize their potential? Are you seeking a career in pediatrics? Join our team at Lansdowne Children's Centre for child development. Careers

Referral Form, Online Access | SmartStart Hub Services | Speech, EarlyYears, Kindergarten | Lansdowne Children's Centre Resource Library Referral Form, Online Access | SmartStart Hub Services Anyone with a concern about their child's development can contact SmartStart Hub to start the referral process. Download printable PDF handout/activity pages Referral Form, Online Access | SmartStart Hub Services no download available Download Keywords and search terms commonly associated with this resource include: Referral, Speech, OT, PT, Support, Respite, Lifespan, Recreation

Give Today Ways To Give Meet The Kids Partner Profiles Impact Report Our Board Contact Us < Back JOSHUA 2021 Lansdowne Heroes Walk and Roll Ambassador Joshua is 6 years old, finishing grade 1. He is the youngest of three children. Joshua has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and his older sibling also has multiple diagnoses, which impacts his daily life. He loves to spend time with his family, going on adventures, camping, hiking and any type of water fun. Joshua began his Lansdowne journey through speech therapy and after his diagnosis, he was able to participate in IBI therapy full time. He thoroughly enjoys recreation therapy, which helps him develop good social skills, as well as make new friends. He is such a kind, caring, helpful little guy. He can put a smile on anyone’s face. The children and families of Lansdowne thank you for your support. Dontate Today Contact Us