What to Do After an ADHD Diagnosis: One Parent’s Journey from Overwhelm to Understanding

Shannon Kalinka

adhd diagnosis | programs and help at west coast centre for learning | secret agent society

When we first received my daughter’s ADHD diagnosis, the thing that surprised me most was that nobody seemed to have any recommendations for what to do NEXT. Finally having a name for her experience was validating, but I expected that moment to be the start of a new journey, not an ending with no clear next step in sight…

The Report Card You Haven’t Received Yet (And Why November Tells You More)

Kristi Rigg

Mental Report Card - see a checklist of how your child is coping, connecting, and growing this school year.

As interim reports start rolling in and the countdown to December’s report cards begins, many parents brace themselves for that envelope — the one that reveals how the school year is really going. But there’s another report card that matters just as much — and you won’t find it in your child’s backpack.

October is Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Dyslexia Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

Kristi Rigg

October is Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Dyslexia month. Look beyond stereotypes and discover programs that help at wccl.

October isn’t just about fall leaves and pumpkin spice. For millions of Canadian families, it’s about awareness—shining a light on learning disabilities, ADHD, and dyslexia. This year, campaigns like CADDAC’s “The Many Faces of ADHD” and Dyslexia Canada’s #MarkItRead are asking us to look beyond stereotypes and understand what these conditions really are.

When Tutoring Isn’t Enough: Why Bright Kids Still Struggle in School

Kristi Rigg

Child working with educational specialist on cognitive training exercises to improve working memory and processing speed

You’ve hired tutors. You’ve attended parent-teacher meetings. Your child is clearly intelligent—ask them about their passions and they’ll talk for hours—yet homework remains a nightly battle, and grades don’t reflect their abilities. If this resonates, the issue may not be what your child is learning, but how their brain processes information.

Helping Neurodivergent Girls Build Friendships in Middle School

Kristi Rigg

helping neurodivergent girls make and keep friends in middle school

Middle school can feel overwhelming for many girls, but for neurodivergent girls, friendship struggles are often even more complex. If your daughter comes home discouraged, sitting alone at lunch or feeling left out of shifting friend groups, you’re not alone — and there are ways you can support her.

Building Workplace Skills in Autistic Youth

Bohdanna Popowycz

Teaching workplace skills to neurodivergent youth at wccl

“When will my child be ready for a job?” It’s one of the most common questions I hear from parents of autistic teens and young adults. The good news? You’ve likely been building their workplace skills for years without even realizing it. The key is understanding which skills matter most for workplace success, and how to develop them intentionally through your daily family life.

Executive Function Skills: Your Teen’s Key to High School Success

Kristi Rigg

Fall PROGRAMS for Neurodivergent Teens at WCCL | helping autism, adhd, executive function skills, social skills and more

As teenagers transition into high school, they face a perfect storm of challenges. Multiple teachers, complex schedules, long-term projects, and increasing independence all demand attention. Meanwhile, their brains are still developing. What separates students who thrive from those who struggle? The answer often lies in executive function skills.