Starbucks has a bear shaped straw cup that people waited forever in line for. People have been making their own DIY version at home because they can’t get one. If you’ve been in pediatric rehab for awhile, it might remind you of a cup used to teach kids how to use a straw.

Inclusion can start at home. When we teach our kids that disability is a normal part of human diversity; we help them grow into kinder, more curious, and more confident peers. Normalize adaptive tools, different communication styles, and support needs by naming them in everyday life:“ /1

Existing in an algorithm driven world, it’s exceedingly frustrating to see such a lack of traction on this after the damage was done. If we want better conversations about neurodevelopmental disability, we need a stronger culture of science communication. (Link in thread.) /1

Headlines move fast, but science takes time. A recent study about COVID and autism is making the rounds, but it’s important to know what this research can and can’t tell us. Retrospective studies won’t show causation. The study itself discloses a number of limitations and to its credit leaves a /1

When a child’s pain goes unrecognized or untreated, it can be more than discomfort; it can signal a patient-safety failure. Learn why this matters for research, practice and equity. Link: www.healthing.ca/opinion/opin...

Thank you again for the opportunity!!

Investing early in kids’ health pays off. A new report called Thrive: The Economic Case for Investing in Children’s Health crunches the numbers for Canada. /1

I support Alberta teachers. There is one area of discourse in education reform that always comes up in moments like this and that’s disability and inclusion. It’s important to ask yourself if you’re talking about meaningful policy development that ensures all children have the best outcomes. Or…./1

Investing early in kids’ health pays off. A new report called Thrive: The Economic Case for Investing in Children’s Health crunches the numbers for Canada. /1

Health messages don’t always need to be serious to make an impact. Commercials, campaigns, and even lighthearted reminders are all forms of knowledge tools that help us remember what matters; like booking your cancer screening. Early detection saves lives. #CancerScreening #PublicHealth

Got me a used knitting machine. I know a lot of yarn based crafts are made with love. These might be made with other four letter words. It’s a learning curve but we’ll see.

Parents of neurodivergent and disabled kids deserve support, clarity, and evidence-based guidance. My frustration is with the misinformation peddlers who profit from confusion. Families deserve clear pathways to trustworthy information. Let’s build a space where evidence wins over exploitation.

Why am I so passionate about addressing misinformation in the context of childhood disability? I recently started a new social media account and what’s the first thing that’s pushed to me? “Tylenol bad, give your neurodivergent child worms instead.” Families deserve better than this.

Parents of disabled or neurodivergent kids often face a maze of opinions and misinformation online. What would it look like if families had a clear path to evidence-based info they could trust? Let’s talk about how we get there.

Some White House RFK Jr announcements expected early this week about autism, here’s my detailed interview with Boston @museumofscience.bsky.social explaining why it’s not related to vaccines www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHxb...

I made banana bread this morning and thought, "This will summon good vibes for the week." Because obviously the secret to global stability is carbs and potassium.

Can we have a conversation about #vaccines and #disability in #canada This is a #publichealth issue I hope the profile can be raised on. The ability for families to find neuro-affirming/supportive spaces to get their kids vaccinated is a laborious task where in some cases parents just give up. /1

Wow! Covid vaccine development and delivery cost $79.4 billion, but the health and economic benefits of vaccination were valued between $4.83 trillion–$37.8 trillion. A return on investment of $59.8–$475 per dollar invested!! This is why vaccine equity matters! www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

New UN Report on Disability & Caregiving (A/80/170) Children with disabilities have the right to grow up in families, not institutions. Yet unpaid care, mostly by mothers, too often happens under poverty, stigma & without support. /1

So while the "top doc" job at the Public Health Agency of Canada remains unfilled, (another) 10% of jobs lower on the ladder are being cut...😕 "PHAC cutting hundreds of jobs as part of 'post-pandemic recalibration' -Cuts are not related to government's overall plan to shrink public sector spending"

New national exclusion tracker launches. mailchi.mp/fsibc/nation...

What I imagine RFK’s made up term “mitochondrial challenges is all about in the cartoon below. Want to read something actually interesting about mitochondria? Check out this article. www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...

I can’t see the skyscrapers that I normally would from the height of Nose Hill Park. Just a reminder that Health Canada states that wildfire smoke can impact you even at low levels. Which is why I wear a KN95 outside due to my asthma. More info at: www.canada.ca/en/health-ca...

An air quality advisory has been called in Calgary and area because of wildfire smoke coming in from the Northwest Territories #yyc www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/arti...

Always been one of my favorite actors. He will be missed by many.

Vaccines do not cause autism. But some people will never stop trying to prove that they do. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Opinion: Alberta's COVID vaccine limits go against ethical health-care delivery edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...

If ever there was a solid reminder that ChatGPT hallucinates. Man develops rare condition after ChatGPT query over stopping eating salt www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

New AAP guidance on Trisomy 13 & 18 care: Families deserve clear, compassionate options; comfort care and life-saving treatments should be available. Care should be consistent, individualized, and supported beyond the hospital. publications.aap.org/pediatrics/a...

Is debate culture an effective knowledge tool in an era of misinformation? My answer is an emphatic no but let’s talk about why. Ideal knowledge goal #1: Fostering understanding and informed decision making. What does debate culture endorse instead? Performance over comprehension. /1

Brief Release: Losing the Canada Disability Benefit means losing hope for many Albertans www.dipo.ca/updates/aish...

New data reveal impact of RSV on kids with chronic conditions, plus high adult exposure https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/new-data-reveal-impact-rsv-kids-chronic-conditions-plus-high-adult 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁

How can we ensure that virtual conferences like #PxP25 are rooted in accessibility? Some ideas here: pxphub.org/accessibilit... #PPI #PatientEngagement #ConsumerInvolvement @coffeeandresearch.bsky.social @dawnrichards.bsky.social

I was told by someone recently that they disagree with almost everything I post online, but that I’m also a really kind person. I’ve been sitting with that recently as someone who communicates at the community level. /1 #knowledgemobilization

Wasn’t expecting to be pitching a manuscript for a children’s book this year. Inspiration has a way of appearing unexpectedly I guess! I’m proud of what was created though and excited to see if it finds a home.

““The rapid rise in autism cases is NOT because of vaccines or environmental toxins, but rather is the result of changes in the way that autism is defined and assessed…” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/o...

What are the signs of heat illness? Heat-related illness exists on a spectrum, so recognizing early symptoms is key to avoiding progression, by @drshazmamithani.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-... via @theglobeandmail.com

The foundation of critical thinking is intellectual humility: knowing we don’t have all the answers and can be wrong. That mindset prepares us for healthy skepticism. How can we instill this in children? I answer this in my newest @psychologytoday.com article www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/crit...

Most Canadians are worried about fake info online, and with good reason. A new study shows many people are very concerned about misinformation. Let’s help each other stay sharp, ask questions, and think critically. #MediaLiteracy #Misinformation

Writing’s a funny thing. Been working on a book about grief for a number of years and decided to put it down. While a great personal journey to go on, I can’t stay in this chapter of my life. It’s not moving on but moving forward if that makes sense?

This policy direction is so profoundly problematic for so many reasons. globalnews.ca/news/1124074...

Canada Strong passes encourage Canadians to vacay in Canada: free access to national parks and historic sites and a single pass that would give young people under 18 free seats on Via Rail when travelling with their parents. Details coming. #CanadaStrong www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...

A few thoughts from a #knowledgemobilization lens on ensuring your research is seen on social media. “You're Unique Just Like Everybody Else It's one thing to post your work on social media, it's another for it to be "seen".” open.substack.com/pub/complexk...

Started a new substack. My interest is in shifting the conversation around impact in knowledge mobilization in health research. Will touch occasionally on its intersection with (dis)misinformation. Looking forward to it. substack.com/@complexkmb?...

Our vaccine policy will now literally be determined by regular guests to the Joe Rogan podcast

Rocking my respirator and my symbicort! Sigh….

Physicians brace for summer travel season as Alberta tops 800 measles cases www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... @jenleecbc.bsky.social 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca

Currently going on in NY is something called COSP18. It’s an international conference that happens every year for the UN. (Stands for Conference on the States Parties on the CRPD) Krista Carr from Inclusion Canada presented to the committee. You can watch it below. /1 youtu.be/Ll1yr_0RPPU?...

Important action 📝 Share your thoughts on the Cochrane Canada draft guidelines on managing long Covid. Public comment period is open till June 16, 9am ET. Lots of very challenging stuff here - no mention of respirators in healthcare & pushing exercise 😔 🔗 canpcc.ca/public-comme...

One thing we have sorely lacked in Canada is a robust information ecosystem that is accessible to the general public when it comes to the subject of pediatric disability. (Adult too but for this post, the focus is misinformation.) While there’s always been a ton of ways to access misinformation on/1