A one-stop-shop for private therapy services, available for people of all ages, in Regina.
10/08/2025
“When we see defiance as distress, not disobedience, everything changes. Our child doesn’t need to be fixed — they need to feel safe, understood, and supported.” 💛
Many parents struggle with what looks like defiance — but what if it’s really anxiety?
PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance (sometimes called Pervasive Drive for Autonomy), is a profile within the neurodivergent spectrum where everyday demands can trigger intense stress.
These kids aren’t being “difficult” — they’re doing their best to cope with feeling out of control.
Understanding PDA helps ALL PARENTS, because learning to recognize demand avoidance teaches us how to approach any child’s resistance with curiosity instead of conflict. It’s not just for parents of PDAers, it’s a mindset that transforms relationships and helps all kids feel safe.
🌟 Join our LIVE webinar NEXT WEEK (on October 14th) for PARENTS to learn what PDA really is, how to spot it, and how to respond in ways that build connection and confidence.
🗣️ Did you know that helping your child build narrative language can boost their confidence, friendships, and school success?
When children learn to tell stories — about their day, their ideas, their feelings — they’re learning how to organize thoughts, connect emotions, and share who they are with the world.
👉 SWIPE to learn WHY narrative language matters and how it supports communication, learning, and emotional growth.
✨ Our Pathways Storytellers Group starts THIS Wednesday! There are still a few open spots left — join us to help your child strengthen their storytelling skills in a fun, supportive way.
Ok, ok, we know... MANY children avoid demands... and many children avoid MANY demands. This is a normal (albeit frustrating) part of childhood.
.. BUT when is demand avoidance too much? 🤔
Does your child also...
❓Seem to resist even the simplest, everyday requests - even ones they usually enjoy?
❓Get anxious or upset when they feel pressured, even by something fun?
❓Use humour, distraction, or negotiation to avoid doing what’s asked?
❓Melt down or shut down when they feel like they’ve lost a sense of control?
❓Appear highly social but struggle with hidden anxieties underneath?
❓Seem to be seeking control in situations, especially if they feel they have lost control or autonomy?
If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone. Many parents see these patterns and wonder why traditional parenting or even common neurodiversity supports don’t seem to work.
This could be a sign of PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance / Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) — a profile within the neurodivergent world where everyday demands trigger intense anxiety and dysregulation.
🌟 Want to learn more about PDA? Join our LIVE webinar happening on October 14th designed especially for parents. We’ll dive deep into understanding PDA and share practical, compassionate strategies you can use right away.
Can't make it live? No problem - all those who register gain access to the recorded webinar for 30 days!
👉 Save your spot today and give yourself the tools to better understand and support your child. Click the link in our bio for all the details!
10/01/2025
🌾 To understand our roots, we must listen to the storytellers of our past.
On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we pause to remember that true understanding begins with listening. Not just to the voices that have always been heard, but most especially to the voices that were silenced, dismissed, or erased.
Indigenous Peoples have carried stories of survival, resilience, grief, and hope across generations. These truths are not only part of Canada’s history — they are part of our present, and they must shape our future.
🧡 Today, we honour Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. We commit to listening with open hearts, amplifying Indigenous voices, and ensuring that the lessons of truth guide our reconciliation journey.
Listening is action. Listening is respect. Listening is where reconciliation begins.
09/09/2025
✨ Do your child’s emotions sometimes feel bigger than what you feel equipped to navigate? ✨
👉 Do meltdowns leave you unsure of how to help?
👉 Do you find yourself losing your cool when your child needs it most?
👉 Are you looking for gentle, practical ways to support your neurodivergent child through emotional storms?
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. 💛 Back-to-school season can bring a lot of overwhelm — for kids and parents.
That’s why we’re hosting a low-cost parent webinar THIS MONTH to help you feel more confident, supported, and connected.
🌟 Helping Kids Feel Safe and Seen: Strategies for Connection and Growth 🌟 offered by our Neurodiversity-affirming Counsellor, Erin.
In this 60-minute session, you’ll walk away with:
✔️ 5 simple co-regulation strategies to help your child during moments of overwhelm/dysregulation — while staying calm yourself
✔️ Gentle, neuro-affirming tools to help your child feel safe, seen, and supported
✔️ Insight into the power of play and creativity in building resilience and emotional awareness
✔️ A behind-the-scenes look at what counselling for neurodivergent kids can look like — and how it builds growth and connection
This isn’t about “fixing” or "correcting" behaviour — it’s about building connection, safety, and strategies that work in real life.
📅 Thursday, September 25th
🕐 6:30–7:30 pm Regina Time
💻 Zoom
💲 $10
💌 Can’t attend live? No worries — a replay will be available for one week!
✨ Back-to-School is a BIG deal for kids — Every. Single. Year.
New classrooms. New teachers. New classmates. New routines. New academic demands. 🤯
It’s a lot for growing brains and bodies to take in all at once. Could you imagine if you changed your job/work environment/boss/colleagues every year?! Yikes.
Even kids who seem excited about the year ahead can experience overwhelm in the first few weeks. You might notice extra meltdowns, more clinginess, bigger emotions, or a child who’s simply “done” by the end of the day. This isn’t "bad behaviour" — it’s their nervous system working hard to adjust. 🧡
That’s why these early weeks are the perfect time for parents to lean into kindness, empathy, and lowered expectations.
Your support at home can make the difference between a child who feels stretched thin and a child who feels safe, seen, and understood.
We’ve put together 6️⃣ simple, affirming strategies you can try at home to ease this transition.
Swipe through the carousel 👉 to see how you can create a softer landing for your child as they navigate this big change.
Need help with the back-to-school phase and beyond? Message our team for ways we can help. 💌
08/16/2025
✨ Fall 2025 Group Programs are NOW OPEN! ✨
We are BEYOND excited to officially open registration for our Fall line-up of neurodiversity-affirming group programs at Pathways! With multiple NEW groups, this is our biggest program launch EVER!
Whether you’re looking for connection, support, skill-building, or a space where your child (or YOU!) can truly feel seen and understood — we’ve got something for everyone this season 💛
Here’s what’s launching:
• ADHD + Me – empowering kids to understand and embrace their ADHD
• Authentically Me – celebrating identity and building confidence
• Authentic Connections – building real-life friendship and connection skills
• Connected Mothers’ Club – a supportive community for moms of neurodivergent/disabled children
• Finally Me – support and connection for late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults
• In Sync Music + Speech Therapy – music-based connection and early communication for little ones + caregivers
• Storytellers – building language and literacy skills through story creation
• Parent Connections – community + education for parents of neurodivergent/disabled children
💻 Spots are already filling fast — head to the links in our bio to learn more about each group and to sign up!
Let autumn be the season of connection, growth, and empowerment 🍂✨
07/30/2025
✨Summer is chaotic. Messy. Sweaty. Loud. Unstructured. But for many neurodivergent families... it can also be magical. ✨
Without the weight of rigid routines, early mornings, and constant demands, summer can bring space for what matters most:
🌿 outside time
💛 regulation time
🧠 downtime
💬 connection time
Even in the meltdowns and sunscreen battles, the late bedtimes and sensory overload, there’s often a quiet kind of recalibration happening, for us and our kids.
Here’s to the beautiful, schedule-free mess that is summer... and the powerful pauses it gives us. May these short few months offer you even just a few glimmers of a slower, more peaceful pace of life. 🌞
07/27/2025
🌞 We're back!
After taking a little hiatus to transition into summer life, we’re slowly re-emerging — sun-kissed, slightly disorganized, and still juggling all the things.
Running a small business means wearing *all* the hats — and when you’re also a parent, social media regularly falls to the bottom of the to-do list (right under “fold laundry” and “drink water”).
Thanks for sticking with us while we took a breath. We’re so glad you’re here. Stay tuned for exciting news, program updates, and so much more! 💛
06/24/2025
🥵 Surviving Summer Holidays with Neurodivergent Kids ☀️
Summer holidays are a time for fun and family, but they can also be routine-less, extreme-weather, EXHAUSTING days for parents trying to entertain their kids.
>>> SWIPE this post and save it for some tangible tips aimed at helping parents with:
📅 Managing Lack of Routine
🌞 Coping with Heat Waves
🛑 Managing Sensory Meltdowns in Crowded Places
🚗 Navigating Family Trips
🥱 Combating Boredom
If all else fails, aim for:
1. Open Communication with your kids > Regularly check in about their feelings and needs.
2. Self-Care > Take care of yourself too. Managing summer can be demanding.
3. Celebrating Small Wins > Acknowledge achievements and positive moments.
Let's make this summer a fun and memorable time for everyone! 🌈
06/21/2025
Today we honour National Indigenous Peoples Day.
We celebrate and honour the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, today and always.
Let's take this day to reflect, learn, and show our respect and solidarity with Indigenous communities. 🧡🌿✨
06/21/2025
📬 Don’t Miss a Thing at Pathways!
>> Want to be the first to hear when group programs open for registration?
>> Curious about new service offerings or clinic updates?
>> Need a reminder when online booking opens for current clients?
✨ Our email list is where it all happens. ✨
As a subscriber, you’ll get:
✔️ Advanced notice of group program dates + registrations
✔️ Updates on service availability + clinic announcements
✔️ Reminders when our online booking opens up
✔️ Monthly newsletters packed with only the good stuff
No spam. No sharing your info. Just important updates sent directly to your inbox — once a month.
👉 Tap the link in our bio to sign up and stay connected with the Pathways community.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pathways Learning Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Pathways Learning Centre first opened its doors in October 2018 to offer the people of Regina a place to access a variety of high-quality private therapy services. We offer an inclusive private preschool program, speech therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, and counselling, with more services coming soon! Having these services all conveniently offered in one place allows you easy access to a variety of services, with the opportunity for collaboration and coordination between your service-providers. We are thrilled to partner with talented and experienced professionals to offer you exceptional service.
Pathways is home to Regina’s first inclusive private preschool program for children aged two-to-five years old. We offer enrollment to children with or without communication delays, who can benefit from a group environment and a staff-to-student ratio of 1:4. Designed and implemented by Speech-Language Pathologists, our preschool classes focus on developing strong communication by targeting language and literacy skills. As strong communication and literacy skills are key indicators for kindergarten success, we know all children will benefit from our program.
Meet the Founders...
We are Cari Thiele and Maegan Mason, founders of Pathways Learning Centre. We are both registered Speech-Language Pathologists, who each have a diverse clinical background from the various positions we have held in our careers thus far (e.g., health, education, private practice). Through our work, we have had the privilege to know many families, and help them with a wide variety of needs. We know that strong speech, language, and literacy skills are fundamental to everyday life. We also know early intervention and prevention are profoundly important for all children, especially those with cognitive and/or communication delays. This knowledge combined with our passion for helping families has been the driving force for founding Pathways. We want to increase the availability of speech-language pathology services to the people of Regina. As such, we are thrilled to offer a centre that provides families with a communication-focused preschool program, along with a variety of other individual and group services. We want Pathways to be a place for professional collaboration and best-practice services, so that you can access the best services all under one roof.
Find Pathways on Facebook and Instagram; we will be posting updates about our preschool programs and about the amazing services we will offer. We look forward to serving your family!
