For
Educators

We did it! Thank you for helping us transform lives!

We are excited to share that through your kind generosity our LDS Transforming Lives $200K for 200 Kids Campaign raised an inspiring total of $237,624!!

Support $200K for 200 Kids and Transform a Child’s Life

One in 10 Canadian children has a learning difference, like dyslexia. At LDS, we believe that every one of them should have access to the critical individualized education support they need to succeed in school and in life.

Catching Up with Hallie, a RISE TEAM Graduate

It’s been three months since Hallie, a 16-year-old high-school student from Fawkes Academy in Burnaby, was last at our East Vancouver Learning Centre, and a lot has happened since then. She is one of two RISE TEAM participants who, after having volunteered as junior leaders, were offered employment as Learning Centre Assistants last Fall. Hallie additionally had the opportunity to be part of the Early RISErs team as a Program Assistant. Working between 5-15 hours a week, she not only honed her professional skills but also worked on her interpersonal and social media skills and built confidence

RISE TEAM update

We are pleased to be attending and presenting our recent research at the 14th International DCD Conference, hosted by University of British Columbia’s Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy from July 6-9, 2022. Our Director of Education, Dr. Jenn Fane, will share with attendees the aim, details, and successes of our interdisciplinary early intervention program, Early RISErs, for children aged 3-5.

Assistive Technology: Harkla

Learn more about Harkla, a calming weighted blanket, and how LDS families can access this assistive technology for free!

LDS presents recent research at the 14th International Development Coordination Disorder (DCD) Conference

We are pleased to be attending and presenting our recent research at the 14th International DCD Conference, hosted by University of British Columbia’s Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy from July 6-9, 2022. Our Director of Education, Dr. Jenn Fane, will share with attendees the aim, details, and successes of our interdisciplinary early intervention program, Early RISErs, for children aged 3-5.

Assistive Technology: MindMeister

Learn more about MindMeister, a mindmapping platform and how LDS families can access this assistive technology for free!

Inclusive Language Toolkit from Stigma-Free Society

Our goal is for our fees to be fair, equitable, consistent and accessible; this post helps to explain how we achieve that.

Assistive Technology: Live It Earth

Learn more about Live It Earth, an interactive online learning platform, and how LDS families can access this assistive technology for free!

Assistive Technology: FocusCalm

Learn more about FocusCalm, an EEG headband and app that helps you control your mindset, and how LDS families can access this assistive technology for free!

How we build fairness and equity into our fee structure

Our goal is for our fees to be fair, equitable, consistent and accessible; this post helps to explain how we achieve that.

Assistive Technology: Oculus Quest

Learn more about Oculus Quest, a virtual reality headset used to engage students, and how LDS families can access this assistive technology for free!

Is my child ready for school? What else can I do to prepare them?

This post is dedicated to the most common questions and concerns we see and hear from families with young children, and the ways in which families are able to receive support for these challenges in our Early RISErs program.

Assistive Technology: BeeLine Reader

BeeLine Reader is an assistive software that helps readers get through large blocks of texts and reduces screen fatigue—important for students with learning differences!

LDS values inclusive education

February was Inclusive Education month; we’ve taken the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to making our programs and educational practices increasingly inclusive.

Assistive Technology: Muse 2

Learn more about Muse 2, a meditation app and device, and how LDS families can access this assistive technology for free!

Top 5 reasons your child with learning differences needs LDS’s specialized online learning support – RISE at Home

RISE at Home provides expert, customized support to students with learning difference across Canada

2021: A year of growth and transformation

Join us as we reflect on the successes, learnings and achievements of 2021, all made possible by our families, students and supporters!

Assistive Technology: Front Row Juno

No matter where you are in the classroom, Front Row Juno lets you hear the teacher loud and clear. Learn more about this amazing assistive technology!

RISE TEAM: LDS’ Pre-employment program success!

The LDS mission is to empower all children with learning differences to recognize their unique strengths and develop the tools to achieve lifelong confidence and success. One way we do this is by helping teens with learning differences increase their graduation rates, skills, and work opportunities through our RISE TEAM program.

Assistive Technology: Grammarly

Grammarly makes writing easier. Learn more about this amazing assistive technology!

LDS’s research-informed approach provides customized remedial programming that effectively meets student needs

As learning and teaching theories evolve over time, LDS conducts ongoing research to stay current on the most effective, research- and evidence-based methodologies and programs.

Mission Makers: Antra and Rie—LDS Interns and a Whole Lot More

As interns and now as staff, LDS brought Antra and Rie together and provided a space for them to learn, grow, and do meaningful work. Learn about their experiences in our latest Mission Maker blog.

Assistive Technology: C-Pen ReaderPen

C-Pen ReaderPen is a scanning tool that helps struggling readers. Learn more about this amazing assistive technology!

Mission Makers: Mike—helping families use assistive technology

There are many assistive technologies available, and investigating the quality and effectiveness of these educational tools is part of Mike’s job at LDS. “I like to think that my role is to help our instructors and families access well-researched assistive technologies.”

Assistive Technology: Texthelp Read&Write

Texthelp’s Read&Write is a software toolbar that can help students with learning differences overcome learning challenges. Learn more about this amazing assistive technology!

Join Our Community!

As LDS celebrates our 50th year of transforming lives through learning, we are focusing on doing our part to make the world a better place. We believe this can be accomplished by building community.

LDS Access: Our Very Own “Magic School Bus” Comes to LDS!

Have you ever wanted to take a ride with Ms. Frizzle on the Magic School Bus? Well, LDS is thrilled to announce the next best thing: LDS Access, a clean-energy mini-bus! LDS Access is Canada’s first electric mobile classroom service!

Mission Makers: Emma—giving back the support she received

“Growing up, I knew I wanted to work with children and youth in a supportive capacity so they can receive the support I had too,” says Emma, a Remedial Instructor at LDS and this month’s Mission Maker.

Assistive Technology: Lexilife’s Lexilight

Lexilight is a reading-aid desk lamp that can significantly reduce symptoms of dyslexia when reading printed texts. Learn more about this amazing assistive technology!

Mission Makers: Cynthia—making a difference through her work

Meet this month’s #MissionMaker, Remedial Instructor Cynthia. Before joining the LDS team, she had worked with students with autism and remembered the feeling of making a difference through her work. “It’s fun, always changing, allows me to be creative, and is challenging.”

Mission Makers: Kaleigh—providing play-based and arts-informed teaching

Remedial Instructor Kaleigh has a background in the arts, a teaching degree, and is pursuing an acting career. Her many pursuits add value to her work at LDS because they help her relate to our students.

LDS stands in recognition of the ongoing legacy of colonialism and Residential Schools in Canada

We are angered and profoundly saddened at the discovery of the undocumented loss of the lives of 215 Indigenous children at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School and on the territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. While the stories of trauma, abuse, and terror Residential Schooling inflicted on Indigenous children, their families, and community continue to come to light, these discoveries are acutely painful reminders of the complex ongoing and intergenerational consequences of colonialism. Much truth remains to be told before we can move towards meaningful reconciliation.

Assistive Technology: SMART Technologies’ SMART Board

The centrepiece of our AT Studio, SMART Technologies’ SMART Board is an industry-leading interactive display whiteboard that offers tools for LDS instructors to take their teaching to the next level.

How RISE at Home offers the highest quality online instruction experience

Together, TutorCruncher and LessonSpace are user friendly, high-quality, secure and interactive—giving our kids, families and instructors the best experience possible.

Mission Makers: Sarah—creating community at LDS

“I didn’t know I wanted to work for a nonprofit organization,” says Sarah. She just knew she wanted work that aligned with her desire to create systems change.

Mission Maker: Stuti—practicum student experiences LDS

In May 2021, Stuti, an education assistant (EA) student, joined LDS for her practicum. “I had ideas of what the common challenges of autism were, but I didn’t know in-depth,” says Stuti. “I am more excited now for being an EA.”

Our Assistive Technology Studio—a supportive space to enhance the learning experience for our students

Assistive technologies are software and hardware tools designed to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability, including a learning difference. Our Assistive Technology Studio is a space for our students to use these tools to enhance their learning.

Mission Makers: Anotidaishe—finding the gem inside each student

The greatest accomplishment is when Anotidaishe sees her students grow their self-confidence and overcome the challenges they face. Anotidaishe tells her students, “Who you are is not what society says you are, but really the gem that is what’s inside of you.”

Mission Makers: Mel—a family struggle and a love for theatre spark an interest in Speech Sciences

May is Speech and Hearing Month, so we thought it was the perfect time to check in with Melissa “Mel” Henderson, our Learning Support Manager.

Spring Break Camp Review—Focusing on Mental Health with Stigma-Free Society

May 7th is National Child and Youth Mental Health Day across Canada. This year, LDS has taken strides to include mental health wellness and advocacy into our day camp programming.

Mission Makers: June—providing a transformative learning experience for students

“I hope I can give them a transformative learning experience, and they can use the tools and strategies I teach them in their lives outside of LDS, and that can make a difference in their confidence and self-autonomy.” — June, Remedial Instructor

LDS Sends Love and Strength to North Vancouver

Our sincerest condolences to the North Vancouver and Lynn Valley communities affected by this past weekend’s tragedy.

Mission Makers: Claire—advocating for accessibility

“I don’t think any child should go without, especially because of money, so if we can help, that’s incredible.”—Claire, Program Manager

Mission Makers: Rachel Y.—a holistic approach to remedial instruction

LDS is lucky to have so many excellent and unique instructors to match with our students. One of these instructors, Rachel Y., is not only calm, patient, and kindhearted, she also brings a holistic outlook to her approach to remedial instruction.

Black History Month at LDS

February marks Black History Month (BHM), but historical injustices, like systemic racism and oppression, are ongoing issues. As a charity that exists to serve all children and youth with learning differences, we are continually doing what we can to dismantle the internal and external systems that pose barriers to students.

Welcome Catholic Educators!

Mission Makers: Alice—connecting with kids!

Each month, our blog series “Mission Makers” features the story of a staff member. This month, Alice tells us that her favourite part of working at LDS is interacting with the kids.

Online Learning Tools and Resources for At-Home Study *updated Dec 2020

Need help finding useful educational resources for at-home online learning? Here are our favourites!

Mission Makers: Sierra—propelled by her experience as a parent

Each month, our new blog series “Mission Makers” will feature the story of a staff member. This month, Sierra explains how her experience as a parent of a child with a learning difference led her to LDS.

UBC and LDS collaboration brings affordable, accessible psychoeducational assessments to students

LDS is thrilled to announce that we are now able to offer referrals for psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations to some of our families!

Go Red for Dyslexia

This October, the Learning Disabilities Society invites you to join us as we #GoRedForDyslexia.

Summer Camp Reflections: That’s a Wrap!

Camp Co-Directors Mel and Sarah reflect on their first year of LDS Summer Camps

Summer Camp Reflections: Freaking Out About Science!

Summer Camp Reflections: A Day in the Life of an LDS Summer Camp Amateur Author

Erin Roberts, Summer Camps Lead Instructor, is responsible for creating and delivering the curriculum for RISE and Tell and she sits down with me virtually to fill me in on her experience.

RISE Summer Camps Series: Reflections on the emotional investment of our camp counsellors

For the first time, LDS offered RISE Summer Camps specially designed for kids with learning differences. We chatted with Matt Tikkanen to find out what the Summer Camp experience has been like from an instructor perspective.

Our commitment to standing up against racism and injustice.

We stand in solidarity with #BlackOutTuesday. Here’s why.

Make Home Learning a Success in 5 Simple Steps

Creating structured at-home learning for your child while schools are closed can be a real challenge. Here are 5 simple steps you can use to make home learning a success.

COVID-19: LDS’s proactive measures and updates

LDS Welcomes New Associate Director of Learning Support, Melissa Sager

LDS welcomes Melissa Sager to the team as our new Associate Director of Learning Support.

Meet Our New Executive Director, Rachel Forbes

LDS is excited to announce that Interim Executive Director Rachel Forbes is staying on as LDS’ permanent Executive Director.

How to Help Your Child Set Goals in 2020

10 Ways to Help Your Kids With Their Homework

All parents home school. And, in fact, even if parents send their children off to school to learn, they are almost singlehandedly the only factor that matters in their kids’ educational success.