Articles & event announcements

The Meraki Blog

Stuttering in your Children – Typical or Not?

By: Brittany Mendes, Speech-Language Pathologist

As a speech-language pathologist, one of the most common questions I get asked is

“ Why is my child always repeating his words? ”

Happy Feet: Choosing Your Baby’s First Shoes

By Erin Grunstein, physiotherapist

As a pediatric physiotherapist, one of the most common questions I get asked is what kind of shoes babies should wear when they are starting to walk.

By Elisa Donato, physiotherapist

Hi I’m Elisa. I am a physiotherapist with over 10 years of experience in pelvic health. I am currently working at the Meraki Health Centre with children and adults with pelvic floor related conditions.

So how can I help?

Well, the pelvic floor is key for both bladder and bowel control & sexual function. I have experience working with all age groups (infant to the golden years) and I welcome all genders. To the trans and non-binary community, please feel free to consult with me if you are experiencing issues with your pelvic floor; often this is particularly useful for those of you who have surgery and are in the post-operative period.

By Julia Aynsley, occupational therapist

Ah, winter. The days are shorter and darker, we tend to be more tired, not to mention the logistics of winter gear and getting children in and out of vehicles and shoveling snow! And just as we start to get into the swing of boots and snow pants, the holidays arrive which often throw us off once again despite our best efforts.

Below are 5 tips for a peaceful holiday season with your family.

Web Resources for Transgender Voice Modification

By: Elissa Benjamin Speech-Language Pathologist

The topic of Transgender Voice Modification has recently become very important in the field of speech-language pathology. The role of voice in during an individual’s transition cannot be understated, given the intricate relationship between voice and identity.

The Postpartum Mom Checklist

By: Kirstie Gordon-Loiello

Congratulations mama, you did it!! Baby is here. Baby is beautiful… But WHAT is going on with this postpartum body?! Here are some after-birthing issues that so many of us mamas deal with – but none of which have to become our “new normal.” Here’s what you need to know:

Kindergarten Readiness

By Christy Sparling, Occupational Therapist

Is your child ready for kindergarten?

Your child is old enough to start kindergarten — but how to know if your child is ready for it?

Here are a few checklists to help you determine if your child has the preschool foundation skills to help them be successful in Kindergarten.

Infant and Toddler Language: 5 Signs of Possible Delay

By Elissa Benjamin, Speech-Language Pathologist

In our previous post, we shared five milestones expected to see before babies start using words. The following list contains five red flags of language delay. This list is not exhaustive, but it should help you get a sense of what is expected from the perspective of a speech-language pathologist. If you are concerned about language delay, speaking to a speech-language pathologist can put your mind at ease.Read More

Infant and Toddler Language: 5 Signs of Typical Development

by Elissa Benjamin, Speech-Language Pathologist

Language development is extraordinary. Watching a baby go from no words at all to using full sentences by age 5 is nothing short of amazing. Most people can see that babies communicate an awful lot of information about how they are feeling and what they want before they are even able to use words. The following list contains five milestones that we expect to see before babies start using words (at approximately 12 months). Read More