When people see Benji and Giulietta's program today, what they are seeing is not how things have always been. This is the result of two decades of work that included failures, dead ends, and crises that made us question whether we could continue. The path was not straightforward. There were years when progress felt out of reach, when we were exhausted and desperate. The system offered no solutions, and we had to create something from nothing. There were crisis points that for

Camp Greenacres Summer Camp When Benji and Giulietta were younger, they had the chance to attend several summer camps, each offering meaningful experiences that supported their growth and confidence. Summer is such an important time in a child’s life, not just for fun and adventure, but for forming friendships, discovering new interests, and building a sense of independence. For Giulietta, camp became a space where they could explore, learn, and feel included alongside their

School trips at MJDS have always been planned with inclusion in mind, and Benji and Giulietta have been active participants in every outing. From local excursions to trips to Montreal and Quebec City, the goal has always been for them to be fully involved alongside their classmates. Teachers, support staff, and peers worked together to make school activities accessible and engaging for every student. Classmates played an important role in inclusion by offering help when neede

A Bar Mitzvah is a significant milestone in the Jewish faith, embarking on a  transition into adulthood at the age of 13. Everyone at the school, from the Principal, Teachers, classmates, and parents of friends, and guests, came together to create a truly deeply meaningful  celebration of Benji. By hosting this significant milestone at his school's synagogue, the event created a unique bridge between educational and cultural spaces where Benji had grown up.  A Day of Recognit

In 2017, Benji underwent bilateral derotation osteotomy surgery, a significant procedure that required him to take months off from his regular activities. This surgery was not just a physical challenge; it was a journey that encompassed much more than just recovery. Benji essentially had to relearn many of the basic skills we often take for granted, including how to walk. This process was undoubtedly daunting, but Benji faced it with remarkable bravery and resilience.   Throu

Benji has found a meaningful way to contribute to his community by volunteering at Baycrest, where he helps keep the cafeteria clean. Each Tuesday, Benji approaches his volunteer tasks with focus . Using his checklist, he gathers items like spray bottles and cloths and completes each step in order. The checklist provides a clear, visual guide that helps him stay organized and confident as he works. This structure allows him to complete his tasks independently and feel a sense

Shovel to Ground: Benji's Laneway Suite For the past few years, Galit has been working closely with a builder to design the perfect laneway suite for Benji. Now 21 years old, Benji is ready for a space that reflects who he is and supports the life he deserves, one with purpose, dignity, and independence, while still ensuring he has the assistance he needs. The suite is being built in the backyard, allowing Benji to have his own home while staying connected to his family and f

"Eighteen-year-old Benji Fisman was born with a rare genetic disorder yet despite his complex medical issues Fisman recently celebrated his first anniversary working at IKEA. A personalized plan was set in place to help Fisman achieve workplace goals. Today he's enjoying a life of remunerated employment, increased independence and a sense of belonging with a large and cohesive workplace team. Susan Hay has the story." - Global Celebrating Work and Growth Benji has been making

Discovering MEDEK: Benji’s Path to Motor Development Benji started receiving intensive traditional physical therapy around one year old. The goals were motor milestones like sitting, crawling, and standing. Traditional physical therapy with daily practice did not achieve any milestones. At approximately 18 months, we discovered Método Dinámico de Estimulación Kinésica (MEDEK), a dynamic method of kinetic stimulation. MEDEK is a physical therapy approach that uses gravity and

Benji using his PECS binder at one of his favourite spots, Starbucks, a place he’s loved visiting since he was young. Understanding ABA: A Common Approach for Children with Autism Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) was recommended by SLPs as a learning technique commonly employed for children with autism spectrum disorder. It’s a therapeutic approach based on the science of learning and behavior, often used to help autistic children develop skills and reduce challenging behavior

This is what Benji’s current Proloquo layout looks like as he practices communication with support. Early Speech and Feeding Challenges: Benji’s Journey Speech therapy for Benji began at 9 months due to swallowing and feeding issues. He had an abnormal swallow reflex, and we worked with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to determine feeding strategies and reduce risk of choking. Benji also exhibited a strong oral aversion, refusing anything near his mouth and making adequa

Benji began occupational therapy at 6 months old to address severe low muscle tone that prevented him from holding his head up independently. He required external head support and physical assistance to maintain upright posture in his stroller. He had no fine motor control and could not grasp objects or tolerate being in a prone position while keeping his head up. Early Therapy Goals: Benji’s First Steps in Motor Development Initial therapy goals focused on maintaining postur

Benji is a valued and proud member of the IKEA North York team, where he works in the cookware, décor, and rug department. His main role is part of the Back to Shelf (BTS) team, where he returns misplaced items to their proper locations around the store. Growing Confidence and Skills Since joining IKEA, Benji has made remarkable progress. He recently celebrated his three-year anniversary on June 6, 2025, marking three years of hard work, learning, and growth. Over time, Benji

Every Friday, Benji takes part in a social program at Windreach Farm, where he engages with peers his age in a variety of hands-on activities that promote skill development, independence, and community connection. His responsibilities at the farm are diverse and meaningful. He contributes to maintaining the property through cleaning, raking, and weeding, keeping the farm environment safe and welcoming for everyone. Benji also works in the greenhouse and garden, planting seeds

Building strength, confidence, and smiles! Stretching Routine: Shoulder Stretch Have Benji stand with his feet shoulder-width apart. Assist him in extending his right/left arm straight out in front of him. Use alternate hand to encourage Benji to hold arm in place. Hold for 10–20 seconds for each arm. Hamstring Stretch Have Benji sit on the floor with legs straight out in front. Encourage him to touch his toes and hold. If difficult, place an object in front as a target. Hold

Benji will develop independence in completing household tasks by using visual supports, such as picture cards, checklists, and step-by-step guides. These tools provide clear, consistent cues that help him understand each task, remember the steps involved, and complete them successfully. Building Independence Through Household Tasks Helping Benji develop independence starts with identifying the household tasks that matter most to him. By choosing chores he wants to work on, li

A visit to a coffee shop offers a great opportunity for experiential learning for Benji. This environment allows Benji to practice social and communication skills. Using PECS enhances the experience by supporting communication and providing a structured way for Benji to engage with his surroundings. Everyday outings offer powerful opportunities for learning, and coffee shop visits have become a meaningful way for Benji to practice real-world communication, decision-making, an

Our focus is to support Benji in expressing his needs during mealtimes by teaching him to use PECS cards for “more” and “all done.” This foundational communication skill empowers him to participate more independently and confidently during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pairing Cards with Actions When working with Benji during mealtimes, we consistently pair gestures with the corresponding PECS cards to help him make the connection between the cards and their meanings. When Be

We make it a priority to embed PECS consistently throughout Benji’s daily routines. By using picture exchange and visual supports across familiar, predictable activities, we help him build understanding and independence in functional communication. Morning Routine Each morning, Benji practices using PECS to find and gather the items he needs for his day. Using picture cards, he locates his backpack, med kit, water bottle, and binder. This routine not only builds consistency a

Benji’s use of PECS is integrated throughout his day, although he is not yet able to reliably initiate exchanges on his own. Supporting Benji’s Communication Journey To support Benji's communication, we provide consistent, predictable opportunities across routines, during meal times, community outings, and structured activities, so he knows when communication is expected and meaningful. We make it a priority to practice picture cards daily. This includes modeling and practici