Recently, I visited Pacekids in Calgary with my four-year-old son, Zayn. Pacekids is a wonderful preschool and kindergarten program empowering not just children with diverse needs but their families through therapy, education and play.
As we explored the classrooms, sensory spaces, playgrounds, therapy rooms, and learning environments, I kept thinking about conversations I’ve had with South Asian parents over the years.
As South Asian families, many of us grew up believing that asking for help meant something was wrong. But after my visit to Pacekids, I left with a different message: Seeking support early isn’t giving up on your child. It’s believing in their potential.
The Stigma We Need to Talk About
In many South Asian communities, conversations about developmental delays, autism, speech and language challenges, learning differences, and disabilities are often avoided altogether.
Sometimes it’s fear or denial. Sometimes it’s concern about what family members will say.
And sometimes it’s simply not knowing where to start.
But here’s what I want parents to know:
Getting support doesn’t create a diagnosis.
Ignoring concerns doesn’t make them disappear.
The earlier a child receives support, the greater the opportunity to build skills, confidence, and independence.
What Is Pacekids?
Pacekids is a Calgary-based organization that supports children with diverse developmental needs, including but not limited to Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, Brain Injury, and Speech & Language Delays.
They offer specialized Preschool and Kindergarten programs for children ages 2.8 to 6 years old through their Sundance and Sunridge locations. Their early childhood education programs are PUF-funded (Program Unit Funding), an Alberta government program that helps eligible children access specialized educational support at no cost to families. as well as Community and In-Home programs for children ages 2 to 11 who have access to FSCD (Family Supports for Children with Disabilities) funding.
One thing I appreciated is that their team doesn’t focus on what children can’t do.
They focus on helping each child build on their strengths through individualized goals and therapeutic, play-based learning.
What Stood Out During My Visit
What struck me most wasn’t any single piece of equipment. It was how thoughtfully every environment was designed to support children where they are.
I saw:
- Sensory rooms with calming spaces and bubble tubes
- Swing rooms that help children regulate and process movement
- Gross motor spaces including climbing structures and jungle gyms
- Accessible playgrounds
- Specialized classrooms designed around therapeutic play
The environment felt joyful. Not clinical. Not intimidating. Just welcoming.
The way childhood should feel.
A Team Approach
One of the things that impressed me most was the collaborative model.
Families have access to a multidisciplinary team that may include:
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Behavioural Therapists
- Teachers
- Classroom Therapy Aides
Together, they create individualized program plans tailored to each child’s needs.
A Place Where Multicultural Families Belong
As a multicultural family, one thing I appreciated was hearing about the diversity of the families they serve. Pacekids has multilingual staff, celebrates many cultural traditions, and works with families from a wide range of backgrounds. Their team reflects the diversity of Calgary itself.
For newcomer families or parents navigating a diagnosis in a language that isn’t their first, that kind of representation matters.
For Parents Who Are Wondering
Maybe you’ve noticed your child isn’t meeting certain milestones. Maybe you’ve been told not to worry. Maybe you’ve been putting off making a call because you don’t know where to start.
This is your reminder:
You don’t have to have all the answers before asking questions.
Pacekids’ intake team can help guide families through assessments, funding pathways, and available services. They offer both school-based programs and community/in-home support for eligible families through FSCD & PUF funding.
If you are concerned about your child’s growth or development, reach out to Pacekids Intake team at ecsintake@pacekids.ca
You can also send queries via the inquiry form here.
The Message I Hope South Asian Parents Hear
Seeking support does not mean your child is broken. Getting an assessment does not mean you’ve failed as a parent. Early intervention is not giving up on your child.
It’s believing in them enough to give them every opportunity to succeed.
And if there is one thing I took away from my visit to Pacekids, it’s this:
Every child deserves the chance to thrive.
And every parent deserves support along the way.
To learn more or book a tour, visit Pacekids.ca. Tours are available year-round, and enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is now open.
Disclaimer: I was compensated for my visit to help spread the word about this programming. All opinions are my own.