Well Balanced Life with Grace & Mel
Our podcast will offer tips and strategies to other parents and educators for children, youths, and adults living with special needs. Gracie has multiple developmental diagnoses and together, we want to provide hope, encouragement, inspiration, and truth to what living with autism (and more) can bring.
Episodes
36 episodes
Accident, Anxiety and Activities!
Join Melanie and Grace as they share a recap from the past season and talk about plans for the new year. They discuss feelings and experiences regarding some challenging and scary times with family members who were in a bad car accident, diagno...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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25:44
Change, Transitions and CLH!
Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel. Today's episode is all about handling change, starting something new and CLH (formerly Community Living Huronia).Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comCover a...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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20:26
Life Update!
We're back! Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel, where today, Gracie shares an update on what's happened and what's upcoming! Gracie has a lot to look forward to with graduating College, going to Florida, attending CLH groups, cook...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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22:03
Adult Supports - Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) - Part 1
Hello and welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel. Today's episode is part one of Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) - Adult Supports information. Melanie shares the adult services that will be available to your youth/adult to help t...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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21:30
Thoughts on Moving Out! Adulthood.
Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel! Join Gracie and Melanie as they share their thoughts on adulthood. Gracie talks about her worries about moving out but she also can't wait for the freedom of living on her own. Gain a perspectiv...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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20:00
Caregiver Burnout
Join Melanie as she shares an honest confession about raising a child with exceptionalities. Caregiver burnout happens to all of us and it's important to know you aren't alone. Please seek help if you need it. Resources:Self-C...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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21:54
Holidays, Bear Accident and Anxiety
On today's episode, Gracie gives an update on her Christmas holiday in Florida, hitting a black bear in West Virginia on the way, starting a new (and her last) semester at College, and the anxiety this has all brought. Thank you for be...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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21:50
Anxiety, Sensory Overload and the Holidays!
Today's episode is all about the busyness of the holidays! Anxiety of transitioning from school to home for the holidays, large crowds, lights, smells and more! Join Grace and Mel as they share their lived experiences together. Walt Dis...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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23:24
Invisible Disability...Sort of...
The plan was to discuss invisible disabilities but we often get sidetracked! Enjoy this episode with humour from Gracie, reflecting on some "mistakes", whisper skills, a "grumpy" bus driver, Halloween meanies and a grudge list.
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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18:00
Spending Money & Your Health!
Today's episode took a turn from what was originally planned. After seeing Gracie's bank statement and noticing the amount she was spending on fast food, sweet drinks, and snacks, (again), a conversation was recorded to share with you. Aaron an...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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20:42
Thanksgiving Support
Hello! Welcome to Well Balanced Life with Grace and Mel. Today Melanie shares some memories of Thanksgivings in the past and reminders to be kind to yourself. Melanie also shares information for our extended families to help with a better under...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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11:40
Stress and Worries - How She Thinks!
Join Grace and Mel as they share some recent stress and worries, and definitely some happy thoughts and excitement, all while Gracie tries to explain how her thinking process works! The worries can take over, often causing Gracie to constantly ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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24:02
Planning For the First Week of School
Melanie shares some strategies on making the first week of school as successful as possible. These strategies take you back to the basics! Simple, quick ways to provide a bit more control in an uncontrollable environment. There will be lots of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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17:22
Residence and Moving Out!
Grace REALLY wants to move out and into residence, but Melanie doesn't think she's quite ready. Join them as they talk about the reasons for staying at home a little longer, and hear Gracie's desire to be like her siblings, but also feels hesit...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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19:48
Back to School!
Welcome to Well Balanced Life! Join Grace and Mel as they talk about going back to school. Fears, excitement, and everything in between! Blog website:https://wellbalancedlife.ca/Mus...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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21:27
Friendship Challenges - Part Two!
Part 2 on friendships is here! Listen to part 1 first if you haven't already where Gracie shared a story of her and her best friend going their separate ways. Part 2 is a continuation of past and present experiences and feelings. M...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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22:36
Friendship Challenges - Part One!
Join Gracie as she tells Melanie about her experience at camp of losing her best friend of 7 years. Having autism or another developmental disability can make keeping friends a challenge. Grace unfortunately experienced this once again and want...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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15:18
Grief and Loss
Join Grace and Mel as they share some recent losses and how they are handling their grief. If you are struggling with loss and grief, please see the links below for support. Some of these are for Simcoe County area in Ontario, but a google sear...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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21:02
Let's Talk About Sex!
Join Gracie and Mel while they talk about sex, consent, setting boundaries, and more! It is very important to be clear about what is okay and what is not. All of our children and youth are developing at their own rate, so use your own judgement...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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23:16
Update! Anxiety, OCD, Sensory Issues, and Camp!
Join Grace and Mel as they give an update on the past couple of weeks leading up to Gracie going to overnight camp! Lots of anxiety and lots of excitement!!
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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20:14
Emotions and More!
Today's episode was to be about emotions. Gracie's curiosity and love of observing people's emotions. We did veer off topic a bit, but it was fun nonetheless! Email: wellbalancedlife@rogers.comMusic: Moments by Shane Ivers ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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23:18
Advocating For Your Child in School
Are you starting to stress out because the school year is coming to an end and that means changes are coming? The knowns are turning into unknowns and this can be a scary time. Join Melanie as she shares how to advocate for your child with the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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20:05
How To Connect With Your Child
Today's episode is about connecting with your child and developing a meaningful relationship. Melanie shares her experience on how she connected not only with her daughter Grace, but the students she was blessed to worked with.Here are ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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18:15
Anxiety
Gracie shares what her anxiety feels like while Melanie offers a couple of suggestions for resources that have helped her family and some children that she's supported. Autism, OCD, anxiety, panic, phobias, and more!OCD and/or Anxiety i...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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18:43
Year One of College Complete!
Gracie is done her first year of college!! And she's already bored! Listen to Gracie share her thoughts on the changes that have begun with her routine, the seasons, and home life. Melanie will share tips on how to help your child entertain the...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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16:40