KidsAbility Centre for Child Development

05/09/2026

This Mother’s Day, we’re honouring the love that sees possibility before limits.

We recently sat down with KidsAbility client Rayea and her mom, Liane, to reflect on the strength, advocacy, and unwavering love that caregivers show up with every day.

In honour of mothers and caregivers everywhere, we invite you to imagine a future where every child is seen with love first, and to consider donating to KidsAbility Foundation in their honour.

Donate today - https://ow.ly/NjxX50YVK3J

05/08/2026

Join us on June 4 on the green!

It's one month until the 26th Annual Golf Fore KidsAbility Tournament. Don't miss your chance to be part of this tradition that has raised over $900,000 for KidsAbility. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5c886ze8

05/07/2026

McHappy Day Gratitude! ❤️💛

Thank you to everyone who came out to support KidsAbility this McHappy Day, whether you volunteered your time or grabbed a delicious meal/treat at McDonald’s!

Over 40 incredible volunteers donated 100 hours, covering 50 shifts, across 16 locations to represent KidsAbility and make a big difference for local kids and families.

We truly appreciate your support! ️👏



McDonald's Canada

[Image Carousel: Photos of McHappy Day volunteers and participants from Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Elora"]

05/07/2026

Waiting happens everywhere - at appointments, in the car, or before meals. These moments are great opportunities to practice simple skills like naming colours, counting objects, or taking turns in conversation.

Short waits can become powerful learning moments without any extra planning or materials needed.

[Image: On the right side is a circular photo showing a child seated outdoors with greenery in the background. The child is raising one arm with an open hand and is wearing a smartwatch. The KidsAbility logo appears at the bottom right.]

05/07/2026

✨ We are six days away from the "Bedtime Breakthroughs" Virtual Workshop! ✨

Learn about the importance of quality sleep, common causes of sleep disturbances, how to build strong routines, and tips to manage nighttime wakings.

📅 Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
🕠 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Virtual

To register for the workshop, please use the Teams Webinar Link: 1a0332c5-5e55-45ec-888a-95227adce2ee@e8b5d86f-23b0-4067-8922-2922044547cd" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1a0332c5-5e55-45ec-888a-95227adce2ee@e8b5d86f-23b0-4067-8922-2922044547cd

05/05/2026

🎉 McHappy Day is Back! 🍔

Join us on May 6 for McHappy Day, happening all day long at participating McDonald’s locations in Guelph, Fergus, Elora, Elmira, and select Kitchener & Waterloo restaurants.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner while making a meaningful difference for kids in our community. 💙 10% of all sales go to local organizations supporting children & families, including KidsAbility Centre for Child Development

Every meal makes an impact—every menu item counts!

McDonald’s Canada https://www.facebook.com/McDonaldsCanada

Ronald McDonald House Canada https://www.facebook.com/ronaldmcdonaldhousecan



📍 Participating locations
📅 May 6
⏰ All Day

05/04/2026

🍪 Last week you ate a ton of Tim Hortons Smile Cookies, Waterloo Region!

Thank you for buying Smile Cookies for your colleagues, your families, your neighbours and sharing your own smiles all week long! You made a huge impact across the region supporting children, youth, and their families.

While "it's just a cookie" every dollar raised benefits local communities in ways that make us stronger, healthier, and more connected.

05/04/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Emily MacIntyre, Caterina Minaudo, and Trish Petrosoniak, who are bringing their frontline clinical expertise to drive innovation and research through their Clinical Researcher roles with KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre.

By dedicating time to innovation alongside clinical practice, they’re helping ensure new ideas are practical, meaningful, and grounded in the real experiences of children, families, and clinicians. Their work is shaping the future of care at KidsAbility - and beyond.

Read the full story to learn how clinicians are driving change through research and innovation. https://ow.ly/yZoG50YUHcj

[Image: Blue graphics at the top right. Text: “KidsAbility Innovation and Research” followed by “Clinicians are supporting innovation and research at KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre.” Photo of a young boy smiling. Bottom left: graphic of a rocket and a stream of fire; bottom right: KidsAbility Rocket Discovery Centre logo.]

05/04/2026

KidsAbility invites you to a three virtual workshop series designed to help caregivers understand behaviour through the lens of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Learn how to interpret what your child might be communicating, explore ways to reduce stress, and build strategies that support emotional regulation and connection. Each session offers practical tools and real‑life examples, with time between workshops to apply what you’ve learned.

While attending all three sessions is encouraged, you are welcome to join the topics that best fit your needs.

📅 Dates:
• Part 1 – ABA Basics: Thursday, May 14, 2026
• Part 2 – Preventative Strategies: Thursday, May 28, 2026
• Part 3 – Responding to Dysregulation: Thursday, June 11, 2026

🕛 Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Virtual

To register for each session, please use the link in bio under “FFS Workshops.”

05/01/2026

Hello, May!

Here are upcoming community events and fundraisers in support of KidsAbility!
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🍪Smile Cookies are back at Tim Hortons!

Purchase a delicious Smile Cookie for $2 from a participating Tim Horton’s restaurant from April 27-May 3. Proceeds will support three local charities: KidsAbility, Nutrition for Learning, and the Cambridge Foodbank.

Three charities. Two Dollars. One community. Every cookie helps kids in our community thrive!

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🎶 Get your tickets for A Sentimental Journey 4: Musical Journey through the decades. Every ticket helps support KidsAbility!

Presented by Guse Productions
WMB, 245 Lexington Rd. Waterloo

📅Show dates:
Wednesday May 6, 2026 at 2:00
Thursday May 7, 2026 at 2:00
Friday May 8, 2026 at 2:00 & 7:00
Saturday May 9, 2026 at 2:00

Two ways to order tickets:

1. Call Box Office 519-502-8390 (No service charges)
2. Online at: ticketscene.ca (Service charge applied by ticketscene per ticket)

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🍔 McHappy Day
📅 May 6th
📍 Guelph, Fergus, Elora, Elmira & select Kitchener, Waterloo locations

Enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner while making a difference for kids in our community! Every meal makes an impact, every menu items counts!

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💥 Slam-demonium,
📅 Saturday, May 23
📍 Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex

Don't miss out on an electrifying wrestling fundraiser in support of KidsAbility—where thrilling matches, high-energy entertainment, and a great cause come together for an unforgettable event!

Stay tuned to offtheropes.ca for ticket details!

https://www.offtheropes.ca/upcoming-shows

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🚗Wellington Auto Glass – Windshield Replacement & Family Helping Family Event

📍 Location: 349 Elizabeth Street Unit B, Guelph On

From March 1 to May 27, Wellington Auto Glass in Guelph & Fergus will donate $30 from every vehicle windshield replacement as part of their Family Helping Family event series of fundraisers in support of KidsAbility.

On May 30th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., join Wellington Auto Glass in Guelph for an afternoon of community fun, good food, and giving back.

As a special bonus, you can get a stone chip repair for any donation to KidsAbility—every dollar helps make a difference! Come by, say hi, grab a bite, and support a great cause.

Visit https://wellingtonautoglass.ca/ for more info!

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⛳ June 4 - Rotary Waterloo’s Golf 'Fore' KidsAbility Classic
📍 Rebel Creek Golf Course
Register your team today! Sponsorship opportunities available.

Visit rotarywaterloo.ca for more information!

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⛳ July 15 - Chips & Giggles Golf Tournament - a just-for-laughs round for kids! Register your team today!
📍 Badlands Golf, 41 Ira Needles Blvd
chipsandgigglesgolf.com

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🎉 Celebrate Priority Mechanical’s 30th Anniversary with a purpose!
Book a service or upgrade from May 1st-31st, and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to one of four local charities of your choice.

📍3160 Alps Road, Ayr, On
prioritymechanical.ca

05/01/2026

May is Speech and Hearing Month!

Communication is the foundation for learning, connection, and inclusion. This month, we celebrate communication in all its forms, and the professionals and organizations who make a lasting difference for children and families.

Resources for families:

Speech-Language and Audiology Canada is the national organization representing speech-language pathologists and audiologists across Canada.

The College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario is Ontario's regulatory body and a great resource for finding registered professionals near you.

The Hanen Centre offers research-based programs and resources specifically designed to help parents support their child's communication development at home.

KidsAbility's speech-language pathology team is here to support children and youth across Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington. Learn more at kidsability.ca.

[Image: A photo of a young girl with curly hair in a ponytail, smiling and touching her throat with one hand in a clinical or therapy setting. The background shows therapy equipment including a blue exercise ball and a stuffed animal. Bold white text at the bottom reads "Speech and Hearing Month, May." The KidsAbility logo appears in the top left corner.]