My Outlet Issue #4 | 2026
- audriechad
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
What Summer Teaches Us
Founder’s note
What Summer Teaches Us
Summer is when we pause, reflect, and ask ourselves the harder questions: What moved the dial this spring? What's worth doubling down on? And what do we need to let go of?
This spring taught us something invaluable. We watched kids become more confident. We watched teens step into leadership roles and realize they had something real to offer our younger participants who look up to them. And we watched families begin to understand that neurodivergence isn't something to fix — it's something to understand, celebrate, and build upon.
But here's what struck me most: it wasn't the program structure that created these shifts. It was the people. It was Paediatric OT Annie bringing her expertise into our space. It was our co-op students showing up with fresh ideas and genuine commitment. It was our nature specialist Rachel allowing us to see the magic of plants, herbs and sunflowers through a new lens. It was parents asking the right questions and trusting us with their children's growth.
This summer, we're leaning into that.
Our book projects aren't being created for kids — they're being created with them. Our LIT program isn't about kids sitting in chairs; it's about teens finding their voice and leading alongside younger children. And our corporate consulting work is about helping organizations build cultures where neurodivergent employees don't just survive — they thrive.
As we look ahead to the fall, I want you to know: we're not just running programs. We're building a community where everyone's way of being, thinking, and moving through the world is not just accepted — it's valued and celebrated.
That's what we're moving toward. And I can't wait for you to see what's next.
— Warm regards, Audrie Chad Founder, My Outlet
News and upcoming events
Fall 2026 | Kids Signature Program
Registration is now open for everyone. Choose the location that works best for your family — both run the full program.
📍 8 sessions run on Sundays:
October 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
December 6
Every Sunday, kids move through four blocks: movement to build focus, emotional skills practice, hands-on exploration (art, music, STEM, nature, gaming), and calming practices like yoga and breathwork. And of course, every session includes earning a LEGO piece for their growing toolkit to remind them of what they've learned, help them embed new practices into their daily life and take pride in the things they've accomplished at My Outlet.
📍 North York location: 1947 Avenue Road (Gravitate Studio). Time: Sunday afternoons, 2:00–3:30 PM
📍 Vaughan location [NEW location]: 130 Racco Parkway, Unit #10, Thornhill (SMILE Therapy's space). Time: 10:30am–12:00pm
Want to learn more or reserve your spot? Book a free 15-minute call with Audrie or send us an enquiry.
Got a teenager who's ready for more?
Leadership In Training (LIT) Program
Our signature leadership stream for neurodivergent teens — where they don't just participate, they lead and build transferable skills that set them up for future work opportunities.
LIT participants work alongside younger children in the Kids Signature Program, applying real leadership skills in real time. The result? Teens who leave more confident, more self-assured, and genuinely proud of who they are.
LIT runs at the same time and locations as the Kids Signature Program. Same dates, same commitment, powerful impact.
Want to learn more or reserve your spot? Book a free 15-minute call with Audrie or send us an enquiry.
COMING THIS AUGUST – FREE TRIAL CLASS
Want to experience My Outlet before committing to fall?
We're offering a free trial class this August so you and your child can see exactly what our program is all about — no pressure, no commitment.
In just one 90-minute session, your child will move through all four blocks: movement, emotional skills, hands-on exploration, and calming practices. You'll see firsthand why families love what we do.
Date & time coming soon — send us an email to express your interest and watch your inbox and our social channels for details.
Spring Cameo Highlight: Ana-Maria (Annie) Christophilakis – Paediatric Occupational Therapist
My Outlet team with Ana-Maria (Annie) Christophilakis – Paediatric Occupational Therapist
One of the best parts of this spring was welcoming special guests into our Kids Signature Program to share their passions and expertise.
We had the pleasure of welcoming Paediatric Occupational Therapist Ana-Maria Christophilakis to lead a hands-on exploratory educational session uniquely designed to fit our 4-block program structure with a focus on sensory profiles.
Each participant received their new LEGO block titled "Sensory Needs," marking our learning objective for the week. Thank you, Annie, for bringing your expertise and passion to our community!
Events Recap this Summer
June 6-7 – Fun Fair & UJA Walk with Israel
We celebrated alongside our community at the Fun Fair and UJA Walk with Israel, where we shared limited-edition temporary tattoos with the message "I will never give up” and “I found my outlet "— words meant to remind you of your strengths ✨️
Thank you to everyone who stopped by and showed their support!
June 17-18 – Positive Dance Experience (PDE) Booth
What an incredible event! We had an amazing presence as a sponsor of the year-end dance recital for Positive Dance Experience (which is located just down the road from Gravitate Studio). Our team connected with families, educators, and community members passionate about neurodiversity and inclusion.
Thank you to everyone who visited our booth, asked questions, and learned more about My Outlet. Your energy and enthusiasm made these two days unforgettable!
SMILE Therapy for Kids Partnership – Our New Fall Home for Vaughan location
This month, we visited SMILE Therapy for Kids (our new Vaughan location at 130 Racco Parkway, Unit #10) with our co-op students. We were so impressed by the thoughtfully designed space and the team's commitment to creating a sensory-friendly, welcoming environment.
We can't wait to bring the Kids Signature Program to this location this fall.
Book Project in Motion
My Outlet Comic Book Promo Poster | Illustrated by Paige Williams
Help Us Shape a Comic Book & Children's Book Series!
This summer, our co-op students are bringing two book projects to life — and we need your voice to make them authentic.
A comic series where every teen can see themselves
We're developing a comic book series that follows a group of friends navigating everyday life — each dealing with their own experiences like anxiety, sensory overwhelm, perfectionism, masking, and attention struggles. These stories will allow teens and young adults to see themselves in the characters, reduce a sense of isolation or loneliness, support positive mental health and understand their peers.
The Children's Book Series We're also creating a children's book series about navigating the world with different lived experiences. Meet our characters Kam, Tam and Ham, relate to their strengths and challenges, and follow their journeys.
We're running focus groups this summer with kids and teens to shape these stories. Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour, we want to hear from you.
Interested in consulting? Fill out the form here
Fidget Toys & Neurodiversity – The Research
We've been hearing feedback about fidget tools in our Kids Signature Program, and we wanted to dive deeper into the research.
Check out our latest blog post: The Jury is Out – But Nuance is Important!
In it, we explore what the research actually says about fidget toys, when they help, and how to use them thoughtfully. It's a nuanced take on a topic that often gets oversimplified.
The takeaway? Fidget tools can be powerful regulation strategies — when they're used intentionally and matched to what an individual needs.
Quick Tip
Help Your Child Recognize Their Regulation Zones
Throughout the day, help your child identify what zone they're in: calm, energized, frustrated, or overwhelmed.
Ask simply: "What zone are you in right now?" Then practice one strategy together — deep breathing, a quick walk, listening to music, or spending time in their Chill Zone.
The more they practice recognizing their zones, the easier it becomes to choose the right tool in the moment.
Learn more about Regulation strategies on our resources page.
Looking Ahead to Fall 2026
Summer will fly by as it always does, and soon we’ll be thinking about what's in store for the fall.
The book projects are taking shape — we can't wait to share more with you soon. We're also gearing up for our August trial classes, so if you've been curious about My Outlet but haven't tried it yet, that's your chance to experience it firsthand.
Fall enrollment is open now for both our Kids Signature Program and our new LIT Program. Whether you're choosing North York or our brand new Vaughan location at SMILE Therapy, we have spots waiting for your family.
And if your child is already part of My Outlet, don't forget to explore each LEGO piece they've earned at home. Visit our resources page to dive deeper into every skill and concept — Boundaries, Friendships, Regulation, Confidence, and more. These tools work best when we practice them consistently and together.
We're so grateful for the energy and momentum this community has built. Thank you for being part of My Outlet.
Have a great start to the summer! 💙
— The My Outlet Team
Comments