Thank you to our donors for their commitment to patients like Amalia. Their generous support of the CAUCC has made a significant difference for both Amalia and her family.

Amalia’s journey through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic (CAUCC) began when she was struggling with emotional dysregulation, manifesting in angry outbursts and aggressive behaviour at home.

When Amalia first arrived with her family at the CAUCC, Dr. Caitlin Yee, a psychiatrist specializing in youth mental health, determined there were no immediate safety risks. As Dr. Yee and her team explored Amalia’s situation further, they uncovered that her struggles primarily stemmed from feeling excessively restricted at home. Although Amalia’s family was loving and supportive, their strong religious convictions limited her social interactions to within their church community.

During their assessment, Dr. Yee and her team observed traits consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This finding was particularly noteworthy, as ASD often goes undetected in females who frequently mask their symptoms at school. When interviewed separately, Amalia’s parents confirmed these observations, with her mother revealing that both she and their primary care physician had harboured similar suspicions. As a result, Amalia was referred to Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for a more comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

Throughout her formal ASD testing, Dr. Yee conducted seven follow-up sessions with Amalia and her family, alternating between one-on-one meetings with Amalia and a CAUCC social worker, parent sessions, and family therapy. Individual sessions with Amalia centered on creating a safety plan, exploring healthier coping mechanisms to manage her emotional outbursts, and helping her understand the importance of rules and boundaries at home as she entered adolescence.

During parent sessions, Dr. Yee emphasized strategies for maintaining calm during Amalia’s outbursts and encouraged increased emotional validation while upholding firm boundaries. The primary objective was to nurture a stronger connection between Amalia and her parents, fostering a mutual understanding of structure and limits. Dr. Yee also provided Amalia’s family with psychoeducation and resources on ASD to enhance their understanding of her emotional needs.

As the family diligently applied their newly acquired knowledge and strategies at home, the improved understanding and connection resulted in fewer outbursts from Amalia and a more harmonious family dynamic.

Thank you to our donors for their commitment to patients like Amalia. Their generous support of the CAUCC has made a significant difference for both Amalia and her family.

*Names and photos for all patient profiles have been changed for the comfort of patients and their families.