Special Needs Planning with Spectrum Financial Strategies Inc

09/07/2026

Wishing our students and families a gentle transition back to school, and a year filled with support, inclusion, growth and success.

09/04/2026

📢 Applying for the Disability Tax Credit?
CRA has made some important changes to the DTC application process, including how applications can be submitted and which versions of Form T2201 will be accepted.

Make sure you’re using the current form and following CRA’s updated submission process.
💙 A little preparation can help avoid unnecessary delays.

09/02/2026

Such a great illustration of why a ‘simple’ task may not actually feel simple to someone with ADHD. What looks like procrastination from the outside can involve so much more happening behind the scenes.

09/01/2026

💛 September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
This month, we recognize the incredible courage of children facing cancer, the families walking beside them, and the healthcare teams and communities supporting them along the way.
We also remember the children whose lives were taken far too soon.

To every family affected by childhood cancer — we see your strength, your love and your hope. 💛

08/31/2026

💙 New $150 Supplement for Canada Disability Benefit Recipients
The federal government has announced a new one-time $150 supplemental payment connected to the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), beginning in September 2026. The supplement is intended to recognize some of the costs people with disabilities may face in obtaining and maintaining their DTC eligibility.

One important point: you do not have to be newly approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) to qualify.
Someone who has had the DTC for many years may still receive the $150 supplement — provided they are entitled to the Canada Disability Benefit.

08/26/2026

This is such an important message — respond with compassion, not judgement. Staying calm, listening and helping a child feel safe and supported can make such a difference.

08/24/2026

Planning for the future of a loved one with special needs can bring a lot of questions — and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
We specialize in helping families understand their options and put the pieces together in a way that makes sense for their unique circumstances.
If you’re wondering where to start, we invite you to reach out for a complimentary consultation. Sometimes the first conversation is the most important step. 💙

08/21/2026

Turning 17? Don’t forget the tax return!
For families with an RDSP, age 17 is an important planning year — even if your child has no income to report.
Filing a tax return for the year they turn 17 helps ensure that, beginning at age 19, eligibility for RDSP grants and bonds is based on their own income rather than their parents’ income.

It’s a small step that can make a significant difference in the government assistance they may be eligible to receive.
Another reason why understanding the RDSP rules — and planning ahead — really matters.

08/19/2026

Such an important reminder to look beyond the behaviour and ask what is being communicated or what need isn’t being met. Understanding the ‘why’ can completely change how we respond.”

08/18/2026

Back-to-school transitions can bring excitement, but for children with autism or other neurodivergencies, they can also bring changes in routine, new expectations and sensory challenges.
This article offers some wonderful, practical ideas to help families prepare — from gradually rebuilding school routines and using visual supports, to creating an “All About Me” page for teachers and helping children learn to advocate for what they need.
A little preparation and communication can go a long way toward making those first days back feel more comfortable and predictable. 💙 Worth a read as we get closer to September!

Preparing Your Autistic or Neurodivergent Child for a Successful Back-to-School Transition in 2026 — Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center https://monkeylink.co/99784e

The start of a new school year brings new teachers, new routines, new classmates, and new opportunities. For many autistic and neurodivergent children, it can also bring uncertainty, anxiety, and sensory challenges.