KylesKiosk

Advocacy isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it means standing up when it’s easier to stay quiet.
Years ago, Mom filed a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal because Kyle was not being given the support he needed to fully learn American Sign Language (ASL). We believed language is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right not only for Deaf but for Deaf with other challenges.
It was a difficult journey, but one worth taking. Every child deserves access to a language they can fully understand and use to express themselves, build relationships, stay safe, and participate in their community.
Looking at Kyle today, confidently communicating in ASL, reminds us why we kept going. The journey was hard, but the outcome has been life-changing, not only for Kyle, but in helping reinforce that meaningful inclusion means providing the supports people need to communicate and thrive. If you feel you are right, then ask the justice system will confirm.

Week 2: Our support practitioner and Mom decided to change Kyle’s visual schedule into a visual choice board, giving him more ownership over his workday by choosing 2–3 tasks to complete first.
The sudden change in weather from very hot to cool, cloudy, and rainy affected Kyle’s energy, and he felt more tired today!Not in his best moods. We adjusted his routine to better support his needs while continuing to build consistency.
We are so grateful for this opportunity to teach new skills and routines.
Looking back to 2020, Kyle would often toss his bead trays into the air, sending beads everywhere! Today, he is thriving in every aspect of his bracelet business. That progress reminds us that growth comes through patience, repetition, and practice.
So here we go again many more months or even years of teaching, practicing, and celebrating every small step forward. We’re excited for the journey ahead. Every skill he learns today opens the door to a future filled with purpose and belonging, wherever life takes him. 🇨🇦🇵🇭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

https://youtu.be/Xrr6i8BB-CA
Kyle would have benefitted on this!
He gets overstimulated with any kind of technology but there is awareness.

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Our two children are now in the UK, one lives and works in London, while the other is visiting. They both hope to obtain their Philippine passports in addition to their UK citizenship and explore Asia as well. Although they grew up in North Vancouver, we’ve always encouraged them to explore the world, experience different cultures, and keep learning. The greatest wealth is the options they create for themselves and being open minded.
One day, Kyle will do the same in his own way. That’s why we do everything we do, to build a future where all of our children have opportunities to grow, belong, and thrive. And yes, Mom truly hopes to spend extended periods in the Philippines sooner rather than later. After 16 years of chronic stress, it’s time for a change. In the Philippines, we find something that’s hard to come by elsewhere, true respite.
Filipinos are always happy and laughing no matter what and that we truly need around us.

So fast and it’s his favourite! He’s excited to take his digital art skills beyond the screen and learn how to bring them to life with a paintbrush and canvas with his Art teacher Elika Keshavarz

First week…. We have set a good start. The heat wave didn’t help but he did a lot and combined with a trip to Van Dusen gardens (a short walk from the coffee kiosk). This practice will benefit Kyle wherever he goes not just in Vancouver as Mom really wants to spend extended time in the Philippines.

“Why is there no Stepping Stone Center in Vancouver, while locations exist in the Philippines and Scotland? Because in British Columbia, autism funding is historically managed directly by families through the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) under the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). Rather than relying on a centralized, privately run international network like Stepping Stone, which operates independently in countries like the Philippines and Scotland. B.C. utilizes a specialized provincial system where funding is distributed directly to families to hire local, registered professionals.”
We used Kyle’s AF every year, and it’s a blessing. We always wondered how other families used their time to all the separate therapies. Now that we can acquire Stepping Stone’s services in the Philippines in a few years (maybe try even during 2027 Summer days here in Canada) and find out what are the pros and cons. The centre in Paranaque is lead by a friend of Kyle’s uncle in Manila, looking forward to ask a lot of questions. The centre is a highly recognized, 50-year-old non-profit school. It recently made history as the country’s very first Certified Autism Center (CAC).