Media releases

• Brock webinar to focus on how caregivers care for themselves

  Thursday, October 14, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 13 October 2021 – R0106

  Brock University researchers will share insight into wellness strategies for caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) during a free public webinar next week.

  Hosted by the Lifespan Development Research Institute, the virtual event will delve into research from Brock’s Department of Applied Disability Studies on the application of Acceptance Commitment Training (ACT) for caregivers.

  Associate Professor Kendra Thomson will be joined by parent advocate/advisor Lee Steel to present “Acceptance and Commitment Training for Caregivers: Applications in research and real life” on Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. via Lifesize.

  ACT is designed to help people learn how acceptance and mindfulness strategies combined with commitment and changes in behaviour can improve their psychological flexibility. A typical ACT workshop includes teaching, participatory exercises, group sharing and support.

  “ACT helps us to accept that there are difficult emotions and things that will happen, but we can persevere and engage in behaviours that are in line with what we find to be valuable or what we are committed to, such as being a supportive family member,” says Thomson.

  While extensive research shows that ACT has been beneficial for many individuals, the research on applying its use for caregivers of children with NDDs is relatively new.

  Following up on ACT groups for caregivers in Toronto, Thomson and her team were the first to undertake a study of ACT in this context in Niagara, thanks to community partner Bethesda Services, the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and funding from Autism Ontario.

  “Any caregiver has a lot on their plate, but oftentimes caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities have added stressors, such as navigating complicated support systems and spending a lot of their time focusing on supporting their child to best of their ability,” says Thomson. “They may not spend as much time focusing on their own wellness and coping, so with this group and ACT in general, there is an opportunity for caregivers to access some tools for wellness and share their experiences with other caregivers.”

  Lee Steel, who works as a family advisor at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, first discovered ACT for caregivers as a participant. She attended a Toronto group run by the Centre’s Director Yona Lunsky, now a mentor to Steel and Thomson, and Kenneth Fung, Director of Global Mental Health at the University of Toronto. She says it is “one of the most singularly helpful things” she has ever done.

  “As caregivers, often we feel good about ourselves when we’re doing things for our loved ones, especially our child with a neurodevelopmental disability, but the idea of actually looking at my own well-being came as a really distant thought at times,” says Steel. “Our ACT workshops are really about putting the focus back on ourselves as caregivers and on our own well-being and values. It gave me extremely helpful tools that are applicable to all areas of my life.”

  Steel has since helped lead more than 20 successful ACT workshops in a model that sees caregivers and clinicians co-facilitating groups.

  “ACT is compassionate and hopeful, and it creates an opportunity for caregivers to connect with others who understand and know that they’re not alone,” says Steel.

  In the webinar, Thomson and Steel will give an overview of ACT and Steel will share her personal story. They will also discuss thesis research from Applied Disability Studies graduate students Carly Magnacca (BA ’16, MA ’20) and Amanda Marcinkiewicz (MA ’20), which has been published in Current Developmental Disorders Reports and Behavior Analysis in Practice.

  The event will be helpful for caregivers, people who support caregivers, researchers and anyone who has a general interest in ACT.

  The webinar is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required through the Lifespan Development Research website.

  Brock University Associate Professor Kendra Thomson is available for media interviews about the event.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Class of 2021 to be celebrated at Brock’s Fall Convocation

  Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 12 October 2021 – R0105

  As a teenager growing up on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve, Ava Hill never had anyone suggest post-secondary education was an option.

  Instead, she graduated high school, got a job and eventually worked her way up to become Elected Chief of the Six Nations Elected Council.

  So, when the Indigenous leader was invited by Brock University to receive an honorary degree at its 2021 Fall Convocation, taking place Friday, Oct. 15, it meant more to her than just another accolade in a prestigious career.

  “When (Interim President) Lynn Wells called me and said I had been nominated, I was completely surprised. I was at a loss for words,” said Hill. “It’s very meaningful because I never went to post-secondary. I never had the opportunity. Nobody ever encouraged me to do that or gave me that option.”

  Hill, who was born on the Six Nations Reserve and is a Wolf Clan Mohawk, served nine years as a councillor on the Six Nations Elected Council, and then two terms as Elected Chief.

  She will receive her honorary doctorate of laws Friday during Brock’s 110th Convocation ceremony. While public health restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to impact the ability to hold a traditional in-person Convocation ceremony, Brock will livestream the speaking and ceremonial elements of a traditional ceremony at 11 a.m. at brocku.ca/livestream

  Students will also be invited to view their own Convocation Portal, where they will see a personalized celebration page tailored to them.

  While this will mark Hill’s first University degree, it’s not the first Brock Convocation ceremony she’s been a part of. Her daughter Julie Hill (BBA ’07) graduated from the University in 2007. Mother and daughter were also regular visitors to Brock in Julie’s younger years when she was a competitive swimmer and attended meets in the Eleanor Misener Aquatic Centre.

  “To get this honorary doctorate from Brock is really meaningful because of the connections I have there and I know a lot of Indigenous students go there,” Ava Hill said.

  In her keynote address, Hill plans to deliver a message of hope and inspiration to the Class of 2021.

  “There are so many Indigenous kids who were treated so badly in schools — both residential schools and day schools,” she said. “We weren’t encouraged, so that’s what I want to do. I’ve always felt the need to encourage young people to be whatever they want to be.

  “None of my teachers would have ever thought I would end up being elected the Chief of the largest-populated First Nation in Canada,” she said.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases