The numbers are staggering — and growing. Lansdowne Children’s Centre, a vital support system for children with physical, communication, and developmental needs, is currently facing a wait-list of nearly 3,000 children. And if things don’t change soon, that number could skyrocket to 13,000 by 2041.
That’s not just a statistic. That’s thousands of families in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations of the Grand River, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation waiting for life-changing help.
As one parent bluntly put it:
“When you’re a parent and you’re waiting for your child to get the help that they need, it’s torture — no matter how long it is.”
One Family’s Story — and Why It Matters
Julie Neal knows this story all too well. Her 10-year-old daughter, Tenley, has a rare brain disorder called lissencephaly — or “smooth brain” — along with epilepsy and global developmental delays.
Tenley has been working with Lansdowne since infancy. Over the years, she’s benefited from nearly every program the centre offers: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy (though she’s nonverbal), and even group sessions.
Neal remembers, “We didn’t know exactly what her limits were, so we were kind of trying everything.”
Lansdowne didn’t just provide therapy. It helped her access a social worker, apply for funding for medical equipment, and even lent her a walker until they could get one of their own. Today, Neal sits on Lansdowne’s foundation board, pushing forward awareness and funding efforts for the centre’s next big step — a new facility.
A Bold Vision: 100,000 Square Feet of Hope
The Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announced plans last year for a new, purpose-built facility in Brantford. The proposed 100,000-square-foot centre will be four times the size of Lansdowne’s current, repurposed school building on Mount Pleasant Street — which it moved into back in 1998.
Since then, the region’s population has exploded, as have the needs of its youngest residents.
“Our kids have become more complex,” said Lansdowne Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley. And their needs are diverse — from autism and cerebral palsy to Down syndrome and speech delays.
Lansdowne’s approach isn’t diagnosis-based (with the exception of autism services, which are funded separately). Instead, Hadley says, “We ask: how can we enhance how people function and operate?”
Why Space Matters — And Fast
The current building limits how quickly and efficiently services can be delivered. A new centre will bring massive improvements — more parking, better accessibility, a therapy pool, respite services, and both indoor and outdoor recreation areas.
Crucially, it will also allow for expanded group therapy, which means more children can get seen faster.
“Group therapy helps clear the wait-list quicker than one-to-one sessions,” Hadley explained. And for families, that wait-list isn’t just an inconvenience — it can mean missed developmental milestones and compounding learning delays. The longer the wait, the harder it gets.
The Financial Push — and Community Hope
Hadley recently asked Brant County Council for $800,000 over five years to help support the centre’s capital campaign. While the request has been deferred to next year’s budget, she remains optimistic.
“Brant County has always been supportive. That gives us hope,” she said.
And while major funding is key, Lansdowne’s work relies just as much on community involvement. Volunteers, event helpers, and even word-of-mouth supporters make a difference.
Neal encourages others to get involved in any way they can. “I understand it’s tough times right now,” she said. “But you can help in so many other ways — even just spreading the word.”
The Bottom Line
Lansdowne Children’s Centre is at a breaking point — but it’s also on the edge of transformation. The plans are bold, the stakes are high, and the families are waiting.
In Julie Neal’s words:
“When you get the right support, it can change everything.”
