Dr. Nick Kates, (professor and chair of the department of psychiatry & behavioural neurosciences, McMaster University)discusses compassionate person and family-centred care as transformative for patient experience and systems.

A transformative message!

Dr William Sullivan is a family physician and bio-ethicist who has lead the Primary Care Initiative for People with Developmental Disabilities (DD) in Ontario. Dr Sullivan provides an overview of the Primary Care Initiative guidelines, tools and web-based resources aimed at addressing the particular health issues of adults with DD. These valuable resources are used internationally and available at www.surreyplace.on.ca.

Dr Yona Lunsky is a Professor and Developmental Disabilities Lead with Deptartment of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. Dr Lunsky's clinical research and work is profoundly influential in improving health care for people with DD. We want to particularly highlight the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (H-CARDD) and online resources aimed at positively impacting health and health care for people with DD. Go to www.hcardd.ca and pass on the news about this work!

Psychiatrist, Dr. Elspeth Bradley, provides a summary of how to H.E.L.P. when faced with people engaging in behaviours that indicate distress. She has written about and taught this H.E.L.P. approach widely, and we are grateful that she shares her insights in this forum. She has also worked with SpotLight drama and friends in the development of the Curriculum of Caring music video, "H.E.L.P." Check it out in the music video section!

Dr Bradley referred to the Journal on Developmental Disabilities article 'Mental Health and Autism: Promoting Autism FaVourable Environments (PAVE)' and HELP with Behaviours That Challenge. They can be found online in the Journal on Developmental Disabilities (2013).

A flowchart meant to guide physicians and psychiatrists with a patient brought in with a behavioural concern developed by the Surrey Place Centre.

Dr Bruce McCreary, Queens University Professor Emeritus of PsychIatry, is an experienced physician, educator and authour who delivers a compelling message to learners. He brings us all face to face with challenges and rewards of providing medical care to the often neglected population of people with developmental disabilities. Consider this:'Are you part of the solution?'

Sarah and Alison have first hand experience with Healthcare, offering advice to medical students and professionals. They share ways to make everyone more comfortable.

Meet Grace...Meet Needs

Abbreviated version of Grace. The full version is available here.

Grace was born in 1988, and was diagnosed with autism at the age of five.

Grace’s early years proved to be a mix of fascinating and challenging experiences for her and her family. They have explored many avenues through the healthcare system, some more successful than others.

Dr. Peter Rosenbaum reveals developmental pediatric pearls of wisdom as he interacts with 3-year-old Sophia and her mother. Dr. Rosenbaum is a professor of paediatrics at McMaster University and co-founder of CanChild Center for Childhood Disability Research (CanChild: Development in the Rewarding Healthcare Experience). For more pearls, explore the CanChild Center for Childhood Disability Research website and the famous F Words of Childhood Disability. Young Sophia and her mom share wisdom through their earlier Curriculum of Caring video (Sophia: gifts of wisdom for parents and professionals.)

CanChild Centre for Child Disability Research: Dr Peter Rosenbaum (co-founder) , Dr Jan Willem Gorter (director) and Matt Freeman (researcher) share their perspectives on development and health care.

A mother and research coordinator for CanChild Center for Childhood Disability Research speaks to Health Care providers about team work that works well!

Drs Kerry Boyd, Teresa Carter, Karen Harman, Olaf Kraus de Camargo, Bill Mahoney, and Ronit Mesterman share the intrigue and rewards of working with families.

Dr Sandra Fisman is a Professor and the Chair of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Western University, London, Ontario. Dr Fisman reflects on the journeys of families and the need for compassion. She engages us to consider our journeys as caring professionals.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine covers vast geographic and educational terrain. Virtual Academic Rounds connect students and preceptors across Northern clinical settings. A Curriculum of Collaboration with the Northern Network of Specialized Care encourages holistic healthcare that meets needs. Learn about it here...more NOSM videos are coming.

Rural general practice involves teamwork and community. Experience the pure positive energy of getting to know people with special needs on a very human level...and the medical part flows.

Expose yourself to experiences and experts. "What do the people we serve need? Get it from the experts...the people living the experience."

Doing great - Help beyond hospital

Invested in research that points to investment in understanding individual and family needs. "Get to know the person...It's worth it working through difficult times."

Psychiatric care goes beyond medication..."Sometimes less is more."

Work together to understand what's going on with them and advocate for them. Get a good history and look for physical problems. "Amazing people...A joy to treat."

Dr Peter Szatmari is a renowned child and youth psychiatrist with extensive experience with people who live with what is now referred to as the autism spectrum. Dr Szatmari shares insights from his experiences, highlighting lessons learned from people on the autism spectrum and the importance of collaborative relationships.

Liz Grier is a Family Physician and Queen's University Faculty Member. Dr Grier describes and demonstrates approaches for successful examination from her office in Kingston, Ontario (with special thanks to the patient and family educators).

Inside Out not Outside In

Kareem, in his video and article, shifts our perspective from outside-in appraisals to inside-out appreciation.

The New Vision Advocates (Community Living London) present a visioning exercise into the experience of being a patient without words to express needs. Enter into this scenerio and reflect on how you would want to be treated. Thank you New Vision Advocates!

In this video, Dr. Anne Bassett shares her experiences and expertise, discussing the importance of genetics in practice and in people's lives.

Dr. Bassett is a psychiatrist and professor (University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry) with a wealth of wisdom. She has led many clinical, educational and research initiatives.

She is the Director of the internationally renowned Dalglish Family 22q Clinic at the Toronto General Hospital, holds the Dalglish Chair in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome at the University of Toronto and University Health Network, and is the Director of the Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

To learn more about 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, care across the lifespan for patients and families, and access more from Dr. Bassett and colleagues, please visit 22q.ca.