In the News
Expert insight: Why ‘wait and see’ isn’t advised for early reading struggles
Aug 19, 2024
By: Dr. Katelyn Bryant - Western News
Caregiver concerns about reading most often point to meaningful learning needs
Helping more families now and into the future
Aug 12, 2024
By: Andrew Graham - Faculty of Education
A much-needed expansion is coming to the Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic.
In Pursuit of Passion
Sep 11, 2023
By: ANDREW GRAHAM - Faculty of Education
Choosing to follow her dream, Read packed her bags and moved from one London to another, ready to begin Western Education’s MA/PhD program in the field of School and Applied Child Psychology, leaving a teaching career behind to pursue her passion.
Parents' Concerns About Children's Reading Should Not Be Ignored
Sep 5, 2023
By: Crystal Mackay - Western News
As children across the country head back to class this week, a new study from Western University researchers shows parental concern is often an accurate indicator of children’s reading difficulty.
Providers team up to offer new, easy-to-access support for children with autism
Aug 22, 2023
By: ANDREW GRAHAM - Faculty of Education
A pair of local service providers are joining forces to provide accessible and vital support to families raising children with autism spectrum disorder.
Donation supports children’s mental health initiatives
Jan 6, 2022
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
Marilyn Elford recently donated to the Mary J. Wright Child and Youth Development Clinic.
Reducing kids’ pandemic panic a ‘balancing act’
Mar 24, 2020
By: Debora Van Brenk - Western News
The coronavirus pandemic – which has closed schools and limited kids’ contact with friends – has been a trying “trifecta of the uncertain, the unexpected and the unpredictable,” said Colin King, an Education professor and Academic Director of Western’s Child &Youth Development Clinic Centre.
Helping reduce the waitlist for mental health services
Jan 22, 2020
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
One referral every 1.5 days. That’s how busy the Child and Youth Development Clinic has been in two years of operation. Since the clinic opened 800 days ago, it has received 693 referrals and has provided support to 500 families.
Developmental Language Disorder: The Childhood Condition We Need to Start Talking About
Jul 9, 2019
By: Alyssa Kuiack, Lisa Archibald - Frontiers for Young Minds
Using language is a skill that allows us to share our ideas and feelings, to learn in school, and to understand the world around us. Unfortunately, using and understanding language is not easy for everyone—especially for people with developmental language disorder (or DLD). DLD is a hidden but very common condition affecting about 1 out of 15 children.
CYDC nominated for CMHA mental health award
May 9, 2019
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
In just over 18 months of operation, the Child and Youth Development Clinic’s (CYDC) work has been recognized by the mental health community. The CYDC has been nominated for the prestigious Champion of Mental Health Award.
Mary J. Wright Research Centre and Merrymount celebrate partnership
Mar 15, 2019
By: GERRY RUCCHIN - Western Education
The Mary J. Wright Research and Education Centre is celebrating three years of a strong collaboration between Western’s Faculty of Education and Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre.
CYDC fills mental health services gap in London
Mar 1, 2019
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
For Sydney’s mom Colleen, her daughter’s ordeal began a frustrating journey of navigating the health care bureaucracy. Despite needing immediate mental health support, the health care system placed her on a waiting list.
Community learns how to reduce child anxiety
Feb 8, 2019
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
Over 100 parents and caregivers from London and surrounding areas came to the Faculty of Education to hear how they can help children overcome their worries and fears.
Coping with student stress and distress
Jan 21, 2019
By: Debora Van Brenk - Western News
Across North America, conversations about student stress and mental illness have moved from the campus margins to the mainstream. So what accounts for the growing angst among students?
Meeting a community’s need for children’s services
Dec 7, 2018
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
The Child and Youth Development Clinic’s (CYDC) first-year success highlights the strong demand in London for children and youth services.
Bringing child literacy to the community
Mar 8, 2018
By: Lisa Archibald - Western News
English spelling is often described as absurd. For apparent proof, consider the words tough, dough, and through; or meat, great, and threat. At Western’s Child and Youth Development Clinic, we are saying enough to this myth of illogical spelling.
Student clinicians bring faster and comprehensive help to children
Mar 7, 2018
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
Faster assessments and team work mean quicker intervention and treatment for children when they visit the Child and Youth Development Clinic. When you take a closer look, graduate students are the clinic’s backbone when it comes to providing these important services.
Clinic success spotlights dire need for help for children
Mar 1, 2018
By: Debora Van Brenk - Western News
Colin King, director of the Western-led Child and Youth Development Clinic, said the interdisciplinary centre has helped about 100 families since opening in October.
Upcoming Workshops at Western University Child & Youth Development Clinic
Nov 2, 2017
By: Learning Disabilities Associate of London Region
Two workshops are coming up at Western University. Please share to all interested parties!
Setting kids up for success – The Mary J. Wright Research and Education Centre at Merrymount
Oct 31, 2017
By: GERRY RUCCHIN - Western Education
Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jean-Yves Duclos, saw first-hand the importance the Mary J. Wright Research and Education Centre at Merrymount has in setting up kids for success.
Young people the focus of new mental health clinic in London
Oct 25, 2017
By: Liny Lamberink - Global News London
The Child and Youth Development Clinic, which celebrated its grand opening Wednesday, is a training centre for graduate students that provides affordable treatment for kids with mental health and educational struggles between three and 18-years-old.
Western University opens new child and youth development clinic
Oct 25, 2017
By: Laura Galea - 106.9 The X
1 in 5 children in Ontario will suffer from a mental health issue. Western University is hoping to make steps towards closing that gap with their new child and youth development clinic. The clinic is offered to families with children and youth ages 3 to 18. They offer help with learning challenges such as language and speech and offers help with children and youth facing social, emotional and behavioural issues.
Western University opens first-of-its-kind youth clinic
Oct 25, 2017
By: Hill Du - the Gazette
The Child and Youth Development Clinic’s grand-opening attracted program, faculty and community members to the new interdisciplinary training facility.
New clinic deals with at risk children and youth
Oct 25, 2017
By: Gerry Rucchin - Faculty of Education
One high school class determined Colin King’s future and it eventually led him to the Child and Youth Development Clinic at Western University. “I knew I wanted to be a psychologist,” said King, after he took a psychology class at Saunders Secondary School in London, Ontario.
New clinic to support mental health in kids
Oct 25, 2017
By: Jo Ann Johnston - Western News
Education Dean Vicki Schwean said the opening of Western’s Child and Youth Development Clinic fills an important gap in mental-health services for children. This week, Western opened the clinic’s doors in the former Bank of Montreal Building, 1163 Richmond St., just outside the Western Gates.
Education researchers receive $1 million to explore mindfulness in children and parents
Mar 30, 2017
By: CORY HABERMEHL - Western Education
Western Education professors Claire Crooks and Karen Bax were recently awarded $1 million by the Public Health Agency of Canada to explore those benefits by teaching social and emotional learning techniques, like mindfulness, to children and parents, and studying the resultant outcomes.
Mary J. Wright honoured with new centre
Sep 5, 2024
By: Jason Winders - Western News
On October 29, Western announced the opening of the Mary J. Wright Research and Education Centre at Merrymount, a partnership between the university and Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre.