In the Press

December 20, 2025 – The holiday season can be overwhelming for neurodiverse individuals and their families. A parent from the Learn. Develop. Succeed. community shares the challenges of navigating sensory overload, disrupted routines, and heightened expectations during this time of year. Senior Manager, Early Years Programs, Marlo Humiski discusses the different simple, practical ways to make the holidays more sensory friendly, including predictable routines, quiet spaces, and supportive sensory tools to help reduce stress and increase comfort for everyone.

December 19, 2025 – The holiday season can intensify sensory processing challenges for neurodivergent individuals, with bright lights, loud sounds, busy schedules, and added pressure to “do it all.” Learn. Develop. Succeed. Executive Director Rachel S. Forbes spoke with Gloria Macarenko about how families and communities can offer meaningful support during this time.

December 10, 2025 – The holidays can be overwhelming for neurodivergent children. Learn. Develop. Succeed. Executive Director Rachel S. Forbes spoke with CityNews about strategies to make the season more sensory-friendly. A parent from the Learn. Develop. Succeed. community shared how small adjustments, like quiet spaces and predictable routines, help their child enjoy the holidays.

September 3, 2025 – We are proud to share that Learn. Develop. Succeed. was featured on CTV Vancouver News at Six, showcasing the launch of Ascend, our three-storey mural by acclaimed artist Carson Ting. The piece celebrates neurodiversity, resilience, and community pride, and marks the kickoff of our #ProudMinds campaign. This recognition highlights the importance of creating spaces where neurodiverse learners can grow, flourish, and be celebrated.

August 21, 2025 – We are proud to share that our Senior Manager of Youth and Adult Programs, Becky Bishop, was featured on CityNews Vancouver, highlighting our work with neurodiverse learners. As one of only 30 organizations across Canada to receive a 2025 Rogers Youth Grant, this recognition celebrates the impact of our programs and the dedication of our team, families, and community partners.

June 27, 2025 – BC Business featured LDS’s new Skills for Trades: RISE to Work program and spoke with Executive Director Rachel Forbes about the urgent need for inclusive training pathways in the skilled trades. The program supports neurodivergent adults with personalized, flexible learning to help them succeed in trades careers. With over 100,000 trades jobs opened in BC in the last decade and more on the way, programs like this are key to building a stronger, more diverse workforce.

June 16, 2025 – A compelling conversation on community support, systemic barriers to neurodivergent individuals, and success stories from LDS’ Becky Bishop, Senior Manager, Youth and Adult Programs. Becky made a special appearance on this episode of The Neurodiversity Podcast.

June 14, 2025 – Radio-Canada a présenté un reportage de Monia Blanchet sur les défis liés à la fin d’année scolaire pour les élèves neurodivergents. Rachel Forbes, directrice générale de la Learning Disabilities Society, et Trish Schachtel, mère d’un enfant neurodivergent, y soulignent l’importance d’un soutien spécialisé pour favoriser la réussite de ces élèves. Radio-Canada featured a story by Monia Blanchet on the challenges neurodivergent students face at the end of the school year. LDS Executive Director Rachel Forbes and parent Trish Schachtel highlighted the need for specialized support to help these learners succeed.

June 10, 2025 – Executive Director Rachel Forbes was interviewed on Mornings with Simi about the end of the school year and the ongoing need for support for neurodivergent students in BC schools. Rachel shared about the growing challenges for families, accessible assessments, and how with more specialized learning support we can see all students grow in confidence and rise to meet the challenges ahead.

June 9, 2025 – On the Coast host, Amy Bell, interviewed Executive Director Rachel Forbes and Trish Schachtel about the end of the school year and the ongoing need for support for neurodivergent students in BC schools. This challenging and inspiring interview highlighted the growing need across the province for specialized learning support so we can see all students grow in confidence and rise to meet the challenges ahead.

June 5, 2025 – CityNews interviewed Executive Director Rachel Forbes and Jocelyn Fernandez about the end of the school year and the ongoing need for support for neurodivergent students in BC schools. LDS is supporting hundreds of learners with complex needs across the province, and the need is growing. More support is needed so we can see all students grow in confidence and rise to meet the challenges ahead.