Welcome Haley!

So happy to welcome Haley to the blueballoon Waterloo team!

Haley Payne has joined our Behaviour Team in the role of Behaviour Consultant after working for a number of years at the blueballoon Burlington site. Haley is a University of Guelph graduate and also has Bachelor of Education from Brock University. Haley is also working towards her Master of Education from Arizona State University.

Her areas of specialty include early intervention, developmental disabilities, autism and parent education. Haley consults with parents and educators regarding behaviour & self-regulation, self-help skills, social and play skills.

Welcome Haley!

Congratulations Brooke!

So proud of Brooke Rea....one of our fantastic speech-language pathologists! 

Earlier this summer, Brooke visited the Kaufman Children Centre in West Bloomfield, MI. The Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP) method, a highly effective methodology to teach children who are struggling to speak.

Brooke has a special interest in the area of apraxia and oral motor sequencing. She has spent direct time observing and learning from Nancy Kaufman, who has given Brooke a Special Certification in the K-SLP Protocol, making Brooke the only person outside the USA with this recognition. Congratulations Brooke!

Brooke...we miss you!

One of our wonderful speech language pathologists, Brooke Rea, is away from our clinic this week...and we miss her!

 

Brooke is visit the Kaufman Children's Centre in West Bloomfield, Michigan for the week to learn more about treating childhood apraxia of speech and to connect with Nancy Kaufman.

 

A happy Brooke shared with us: "It's been a long day already (well, it started at 4:45 am!) but  am learning so much!  Had a chance to watch Nancy do some 1:1 sessions as well as their SPEAK group  today. Not sure what's next but hoping toy shopping makes the agenda too today!"

 

We can't wait to hear your stories and what you've learned Brooke...and to see what new therapy toys you bring back from Michigan!  Happy and safe journey home!

Summer Camps for July!

There is still space left in July for Blue Balloon Summer Camps!

They’re fun, affordable and open to kids of ALL abilities! With great weekly themes your kids will continue learning throughout the summer, make new friends, and have a blast.

Camps are lead by counselors trained in working with kids with unique and typical needs. Full-day prices start at $225 per week and $150 for half days. Weekend SPECIALS: 4 weekend days in July starting at $600 for full days or $350 for half days.

Customize your child’s camp with Enrichment sessions tailored to their needs. Call us to discuss what you need and we’ll try our best to make it happen!

Register here or call us at 519-957-9595.

Summer Camp in Waterloo!

We're onto our second week of summer camp at blueballoon Waterloo!

Last week's campers were mad scientists and space explorers and this week our campers are learning about camping and surviving in the great outdoors! Of course, we're also having fun swinging and bouncing in our gym, visiting our local park and playing water games outside.  Who doesn't love water balloons!

For more information about our fantastic summer camp base camp options and customized enrichments for your children, visit our website:

https://blueballoon.wufoo.com/forms/its-time-for-summer-camp/

Our blueballoon Story

One of the most common challenges facing those in need of paediatric health care services is the complexity of navigating through the health care and education system.

blueballoon co-founder Stephen MacEwen and his family were frustrated by their ongoing search for appropriate health care services in Toronto for their child who has developmental challenges. Stephen’s sister and blueballoon co-founder, Heather MacEwen was working as an Occupational Therapist for an integrated health care facility in the United States. She was drawn to the facility’s interdisciplinary approach to care and its broad range of support services.

When Heather returned to Canada, it was a challenge for her to find a workplace that offered integrated care and took a comprehensive approach to the delivery of health care services. Stephen and Heather would frequently discuss the benefits of integrated health care, the challenges of the current system, and the need for more accessible interdisciplinary programs and therapies for children – including the provision of services on weekends and after to school to maximize access for busy families. 

Recognizing the benefits and positive impact such a facility could provide for children and their families, Heather and Stephen decided to create blueballoon with Heather leading clinical operations and Stephen bringing his expertise as a business and management leader. The first blueballoon location opened in 2004 and the company has grown to four locations in six years.

As blueballoon continues to expand, it remains committed to an interdisciplinary model that encompasses expertise; insight and support from a broad range of areas designed to treat the whole child.