Toileting is so much more complex than people realize. It requires your child to notice body cues, follow multi-step routines, regulate their emotions, communicate their needs, and manage change, all while learning something completely new and sometimes scary. That's a lot. And it deserves more than generic advice or outdated myths about age and readiness.

At elemenoe, we sit with families at every stage of their journey. Some come to us with a diagnosis in hand, ready to build their child's support team. Others come with something quieter but just as powerful: a feeling, a question, a wondering that won't go away.

"I think something might be different.""Should I be concerned?""What if I'm overreacting… but what if I'm not?"

If you're reading this, you might be in that space right now. And we want you to know: your instincts matter. The fact that you're here, asking questions and seeking information, already shows how deeply you care about your child's well-being.

Truly, one of the biggest secrets we share with families is this: your child’s favourite “toy” is YOU. Play peek-a-boo with your toddler, hide-and-seek with your preschooler, dance parties with your big kids, or silly story-sharing with your older ones. These moments matter more than anything wrapped under a tree.

But if you are hoping to shop this season, we’ve put together a practical guide that highlights toys and games that naturally support skills like communication, turn-taking, emotional regulation, cooperation, and being a good sport (yes, even learning how to lose!).

If you’re a parent of an autistic child, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk lately about Gestalt Language Processing, or GLP for short. Maybe one professional told you your child is a “Gestalt Language Processor” or a “GLPer,” while another said there’s not enough research to support that idea. Suddenly, it feels like you’re stuck in the middle, trying to make sense of the science while your child just needs support to communicate.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference — a natural variation in how people experience, think, and communicate. Your child is the same incredible person they were before the diagnosis. The purpose of this guide is to help you navigate Ontario’s supports, funding, and services while centering your child’s individuality, strengths, and well-being.

This guide is neuro-affirming, practical, and written for parents who want to understand what comes next without feeling overwhelmed.

Play is how children make sense of their world. Some love imaginative stories; others thrive on organizing, sorting, or observing. These differences in play styles tell us about a child’s interests, thinking style, and sensory preferences, not just their diagnostic profile.

When we focus only on what play should look like, we risk missing out on opportunities to connect.

You may have noticed a lot of buzz lately about leucovorin, a prescription supplement being talked about as a way to help autistic kids communicate more, feel less irritable, and engage socially. As someone who’s spent years working closely with autistic children and families, my first instinct was curiosity mixed with caution. 

Starting therapy for your child can feel overwhelming. Between understanding assessments, scheduling sessions, and figuring out which professional handles which skill, it can be hard to know where to start. At Elemenoe, we’ve designed our approach to make this easier for families: we bring all the pieces together under one roof.

This spring, my five-year-old signed up for t-ball.

She didn’t quite know what it was — just that her friends were doing it, and there were snacks at the end. That was enough. We practiced in the yard. We visited the field. She was excited. Confident. Ready to roll.

Transitions are not just about moving from one thing to another — they involve:

✔ Shifting attention
✔ Regulating emotions
✔ Processing language
✔ Navigating expectations

And often, they also mean leaving something preferred (like a favourite toy or activity) to enter something unknown, less motivating, or more demanding. That’s a big ask — even for adults!

Neurodiverse learners may need more structure, predictability, and connection to feel successful in these moments.

At Elemenoe, we’re always asking: Why do we do what we do? Why do we lean into tough conversations, try new strategies, and show up every day for the families we serve?

The answer is simple, but powerful: because real growth happens in safe, supportive relationships, and that’s what we’re here to build.

That’s why we’re so excited to offer psychotherapy as part of our multidisciplinary care.

Summer can bring a welcome break from the busy school year, but for many families, it also means disrupted routines, unstructured time, and a rise in big emotions.

This shift can be especially challenging for neurodivergent children, who often benefit from clear expectations and consistent daily rhythms. At Elemenoe, we believe summer doesn’t need to be overscheduled to be meaningful. With a little intention, it can be both flexible and supportive.

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month, and what a perfect time to raise awareness about communication development and the professionals who can help along the way. We often hear similar questions and concerns from parents and families, and we also see how misinformation can delay support that could make a big difference.

In this blog, we’re taking on some of the most common myths about early speech and language development and replacing them with facts, reassurance, and guidance.

It’s one of the most common concerns parents bring up: “Should I be worried about my child’s speech and language?”

We’ve all been there - getting unsolicited advice from a well-meaning family member or a stranger on the playground. It’s easy to feel uncertain, especially when so many opinions are floating around. Between Google searches, parenting forums, and even tools like ChatGPT, we have more information at our fingertips than ever before, but figuring out what’s accurate can still feel overwhelming. It’s also very natural to compare your child’s progress to others, even when we know all children develop differently. 

At Elemenoe, we believe in using reinforcement strategies that build motivation, connection, and long-term growth. Reinforcement isn’t about bribing kids with prizes, it’s about recognizing effort, strengthening relationships, and teaching valuable skills. The key is finding what truly motivates your child and using it in a way that feels natural and meaningful.

At Elemenoe, we believe that learning and behaviour support should be compassionate, empowering, and collaborative. Reinforcement is a powerful tool in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), but it’s often misunderstood. Many people picture sticker charts or token economies, but the best reinforcement is much more than that. When used thoughtfully, reinforcement strengthens skills in a way that respects a child’s autonomy, motivation, and joy in learning.

For too long, autism awareness campaigns have focused on statistics and challenges rather than on autistic individuals themselves. While awareness is an important first step, acceptance means recognizing autism as a natural variation of the human experience and ensuring that autistic people have the support, respect, and accommodations they need to thrive.

As parents, we’ve all been there—your child is happily playing, and you tell them it’s time for dinner. Suddenly, the world ends. Tears, yelling, maybe even flying toys. It feels like an overreaction to us, but for them, it’s a big deal. As both a parent and a behaviour analyst, I see these moments not as defiance, but as opportunities to teach emotion regulation skills. 

At Elemenoe, we emphasize the nurturing process of co-regulation as a way for caring adults to support children in developing crucial self-regulation skills. Self-regulation, which involves consciously managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, plays a significant role in a child's emotional growth and resilience.

We’ve had many questions about the story behind the unique name "elemenoe" so we thought why not write a blog about it! Though we’ve been called, “Ee-lem-ee-no,” “Elemeno-eee,” and many other names, it’s actually pronounced “LMNO” just like the alphabet. 

When we started our business, we proudly adopted the original logo and name designed by Evan Clark. Evan, who is also the husband of our co-founder Brittany, has been a supportive presence behind the scenes, contributing his creative vision and steadfast encouragement. The logo has come to symbolize our commitment to learning, growth, and support for children with communication challenges.