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 | Dear Kids Brain Health Champions,
November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month. Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) acknowledges the importance of integrating Indigenous values to support caregivers and promote child development.
In this edition, we’re excited to share the latest updates from KBHN: |
| | |  | Photo by: SFU Faculty of Education |
| Kids Brain Health Foundation has received a $500K grant from TD Bank Group, through the TD Ready Commitment, to develop an AI-powered app that can filter distressing sounds, empowering autistic youth to engage in everyday activities.
“It’s very overwhelming, often distracting and causes panic attacks,” said Sam, a 15-year-old autistic youth. She is one of the 60,000 autistic young people in Canada who live with decreased sound tolerance or DST. The condition ranges from painful perception to discomfort or fear of certain sounds.
Dr. Sheila Laredo, Chair of the Kids Brain Health Foundation and a medical specialist, said that while DST is common in autism, it also affects youth with other neurodevelopmental disabilities. "We've seen how ongoing stress from overwhelming noises impacts young people's mental health and well-being," Dr. Laredo said. "The Foundation is grateful for TD’s support in improving current solutions, which can sometimes fall short—either blocking all sounds, including those essential for safety, or not blocking enough noise to provide real relief." |
| | | | | KidsAction Coaching (KAC) focuses on improving the physical, cognitive, and social well-being of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities through personalized coaching. This program has established partnerships across Canada, trained 126 coaches, and reached 160 children and families, integrating Indigenous cultural inclusivity into its framework. |
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| | The F-words Foundations Course is an online training program co-developed with families and service providers. The F-words team, in collaboration with and co-led by community and organizational partners, is exploring the cultural relevance and safety of the F-words for diverse families and communities, including First Nations communities. |
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| | | Application templates are now available for those submitting proposals for the Innovation and Implementation Programs. For any questions, please contact research@kidsbrainhealth.ca.
About the Programs The Innovation Program and Implementation Programs are distinct but complementary funding streams established to support projects that have the potential to scale and spread, and generate real-world impact for end users. KBHN is committed to ensuring evidence-based solutions reach their intended audiences, including changes in practice or policy, advancing new technologies, or scaling direct supports for children and families.
Funding Available Innovation Program: Up to $100,000 per year for 2 years, with 1:1 matched funding required. Implementation Program: Up to $200,000 per year for 2 years, with 1:1 matched funding required.
Proposal Submission Timeline Application Deadline: December 16, 2024 (by 5 p.m. PT) Anticipated Award Notices: February 28, 2025 Anticipated Award Start Date: March 1, 2025
For more information, access the FAQ or view the Information Session Recording on the website. |
| | | | Nominations for the 2024-2025 Annual Outstanding Awards are now open! These awards celebrate the dedication and achievements of individuals across the KBHN community who are making a difference in neurodevelopmental disability research and family engagement.
Award Categories: Outstanding KBHN Trainee Member Award Honours trainees who have shown exceptional commitment and active participation in KBHN’s activities and network initiatives. Outstanding KBHN Promising Researcher Award Recognizes early-career researchers who have demonstrated significant potential and contribution to advancing research on neurodevelopmental disabilities. Outstanding KBHN Mentor/Supervisor Award Celebrates individuals who inspire, guide, and support the development of trainees, fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment. Outstanding KBHN Leadership Award in Family Engagement in Research Recognizes outstanding family leaders and inclusive researchers who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and active engagement in research focused on improving the lives of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Award Details for All Categories: Certificate and $1,500 to support attendance or presentation at a relevant event by March 2025. Awardees will be featured on the KBHN website, newsletter, and social media.
Nomination Deadline: January 24, 2025 Award Announcement: February 28, 2025 |
| | | |  | Photo by: Riverwood Photography/University of Calgary |
| Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Zwicker, Chief Scientist of KBHN, for receiving the Killam Emerging Research Leaders Award! This recognition celebrates outstanding achievements at the University of Calgary, highlighting the exceptional contributions of faculty and researchers across various disciplines. At a luncheon held on October 24, 2024, Dr. Zwicker was among 36 recipients honoured for their work in fields ranging from medicine and chemistry to neuroscience and engineering. The Killam Awards were established in 1965 through a substantial endowment by Dorothy Killam to promote excellence in education. We’re proud to see Dr. Zwicker’s impact on child health and policy celebrated! |
| |  | |  | On November 14, SFU VentureLabs hosted an online showcase highlighting three projects set to make a lasting impact on the lives of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. These KBHN-funded and supported projects have partnered with VentureLabs to accelerate their business plans by providing mentorship and business development expertise to ensure scalability and sustainability.
Featured Projects: Social ABCs: An early intervention program for toddlers 12 to 36 months who have suspected or confirmed autism spectrum disorder or related social-communication challenges.
Family Engagement in Research (FER): A program bringing families and researchers together to learn from each other about how to meaningfully partner in research.
Sound Sensitivity: An AI-powered solution designed to help individuals with decreased sound tolerance live more comfortably by filtering distressing sounds. |
| | |  | Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) sponsored the Children’s Healthcare Canada Annual Conference, held October 20-22 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. With the theme “Right-Sizing Health Systems for Kids: Navigating to Brighter Futures,” the event brought together leading voices in pediatric healthcare to explore innovative strategies for enhancing services for children, youth, and families. KBHN’s CEO Geoff Pradella and COO Kim van der Hoek were both in attendance, connecting with people and embracing the theme of the conference. Notably, Monica Halsey, a Family Faculty with Holland Bloorview, shared her insights on building supportive communities for families awaiting autism assessments. The conference was a fantastic opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing pediatric care. |
| | |  | Call for applicants in Alberta: Family Engagement in Research Course
The Azrieli Accelerator, in collaboration with One Child Every Child, invites applicants in Alberta to apply for the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course. This 10-week online course is designed for researchers and community members seeking to build strengths in family-engaged research. The Azrieli Accelerator is proud to sponsor the Alberta cohort for participants interested in research related to neurodevelopmental conditions.
Course Dates: February 2 – April 11, 2025 (10 weeks, online). Cost: Free for accepted applicants, thanks to the sponsorship of the Azrieli Accelerator.
Deadline to apply is Friday, December 20, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (MT) |
| | | Brain Canada’s 2024 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research Program
Brain Canada has launched the 2024 Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program. The purpose of the program is to accelerate novel and transformative research that will fundamentally change our understanding of nervous system function and dysfunction and their impact on health. The ultimate goal is to reduce the social and economic burden of neurological and mental illnesses through prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.
Open to early-career investigators, the 2024 competition will support up to 20 grants of $100,000 over two years.
Click here to view the Request for Applications. Deadline for receipt of Letter of Intent: December 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET Deadline for receipt of Full Applications: March 14, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET
For more information, or if you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Brain Canada at futureleaders@braincanada.ca. |
| |  | Volunteers needed for UHN research study
What’s involved? Sharing your experiences and expectations around transitioning to adult health and community programs Your perspective on what an ideal virtual peer navigation program would look like Discussing what compassionate care means to you
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| Who can participate? Youth 12-17 diagnosed with Autism, Cerebral Palsy or Acquired Brain Injury Parents of youth 12-17 diagnosed with Autism, Cerebral Palsy or Acquired Brain Injury Healthcare providers with experience or knowledge of healthcare transitions
For more information, please contact Eleni Patsakos at eleni.patsakos@uhn.ca. |
| | | | Kids Brain Health Network, situated at Simon Fraser University (SFU) Burnaby, respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
Le Réseau pour la santé du cerveau des enfants, situé au sein de l’Université Simon Fraser (SFU) de Burnaby, reconnaît respectueusement les territoires traditionnels non cédés des peuples Salish de la Côte, notamment les nations səl̓ilw̓ ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) et xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam). |
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