[FEAT BC Admin]

In this discussion area, please feel free to share your experience in implementing A.B.A. programs in the school system. We would particularly like to hear from those parents who converted their school teams to A.B.A. We’d like to hear the nightmares as well as the success stories.

Any insight that can be shared by school-based special education assistants to help parents would also be very meaningful.

Topic

[Mike & Jean]

Hello all FEATsters….

Tune into the Bill Good Show tomorrow, Monday, April 11th at 11:30 am to hear former FEAT director Jean Lewis and Medicare for Autism Now! director David Marley discuss their upcoming advocacy workshop – "Getting it Done!" scheduled for April 30th.

Topics to be discussed:
The "Getting it Done" advocacy workshop – why it's needed now – particularly the school segment, with the BCTF "focusing" on our kids in their upcoming contract negotiatons.

We will also discuss our upcoming documentary film, working titled:
"Medicare's Orphans – Canadians unworthy of treatment" Together with other topics, the film will chronicle the history of the autism treatment movement in BC and other parts of Canada.

And – What Medicare for Autism Now! is doing during this federal election, why you should participate, and how you can get involved in the campaign to get Medicare coverage for ABA.

It should be an interesting program. Tune into CKNW 980AM at 11:30 to join the discussion. The program can also be heard at a later time by going to their audio vault.

Please share this notice with your Facebook friends.

[Super Dad]

Attention all would-be advocates: parents, grandparents, family members, and friends: Do you want to know how to effectively advocate for your child? Are you tired of going in circles trying to get what your child needs? If so, this is a workshop you cannot afford to miss. Learn how to be an effective advocate for your child at any age and stage. Take this rare opportunity to learn effective advocacy skills from people who have been leaders in the autism advocacy movement for the last 15 years.

Circle the date and register today!

Going in circles trying to get what your child needs?

If so – circle the date – Saturday, April 30th

Getting it Done!
…an “on-the-job * hands-on * this is how you do it
Advocacy Workshop

Presenters: Jean Lewis and David Marley
founding directors of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society
and
Guest speaker: Paul Caune
founder and executive director of Civil Rights Now!

Topics will include:

Advocacy 101:

“It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.”

As the parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others!

Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. It also requires certain skills:

This workshop will teach you how to:

* Gather facts, organize information, get ready
* Understand the Rules of the Game
* Plan and prepare for success
* Document, document, document
* Ask the right questions…listen to the answers
* Identify problems and propose solutions
* Drive the process

Advocacy at School:

“A good education is the next best thing to a pushy mother.” Charles Schulz

This workshop will teach you how to:

* Become your child’s case manager
* Understand your school district’s Rules of the Game…who are the players and decision makers?
* Overcome objections and pitfalls
* Design an effective IEP
* Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
* Prepare for and manage school meetings
* Understand and use the Hewko decision

Autism treatment funding – securing its future:

The landmark Auton decision is the only reason any autism funding exists today. This funding is in jeopardy because there is no statute law to protect it. The decision to continue funding or not can be made on a whim by provincial politicians.

In this workshop you will:

* Learn the history of the fight to have medically necessary autism treatment universally accessible and covered by Medicare.
* Learn why we need a Canadians with Disabilites Act and an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
* Learn about recent and future initiatives to enshrine autism treatment under Medicare
* Learn why your children need you to get involved

Register Now!

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We promise you have never had this much fun in the school principal’s office. Several “guest players” will help us create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills.

Register today – don’t miss out, limited spaces available.

Saturday, April 30th _ 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Burnaby Heritage Village Carousel Activity Room
6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby BC

$119.00 per person/$189.00 per couple – lunch included

*All proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives

To register: Email: mfanow@gmail.com or call 604-290-5737

About the presenters

Jean Lewis:

Jean has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system.

In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

David Marley:

David has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions.

Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society.

Guest speaker: Paul Caune:

Paul is the founder and executive director of Civil Rights Now! which is a non-partisan, all volunteer, not-for-profit society which advocates for public policy changes which will provide British Columbians with disabilities with equal access to the equality provisions of our Charter. He is also a board member of Medicare for Autism Now!

[Brooks Patterson]

My mistake it was actually news 1130

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/210086–six-year-old-barred-from-walnut-grove-school

Brooks

[Brooks Patterson]

Hi Gang,

Thanks for all your support. We are in this for the long haul. We will definitely be there on the 30th!

My wife Tina was on CKNW this morning and and hopefully I will be following up in the next few days.

I'm down with the flu today but will follow up with all of you.

Thanks again

Brooks

Brookspatterson@shaw.ca
Tinapatterson@shaw.ca

[Joanna Ng]

Hi Brooks.

As a parent, I am really upset but not quite suprised with what happened to your child in school. However, having said that, for a child as young as 6, it left me speechless.

I guess that is why many parents are speechless. But I am sure many of us are thinking about Hunter's case because that could happen to any of our children, at anytime.

Thanks Bev, for speaking up again. "A friend in need is a friend indeed."

The school, the district and the government – it is totally useless to talk to them about moral duty. The fact that our children's medical treatment is being denied by the Health Ministry has already proven that moral duty does not exist.

The only way is, like Bev said, to get familiar with the Hewko case and get a trustworthy lawyer, and start telling them their legal duty.

On the other hand, I guess as we, the Feat readers are reading the 'talk' on integration vs segragation, your posting came to FEAT right on time. Nothing is more realistic that a true incident.

As much as I want to believe in integration, that is merely a term used by the school, but how much of it, is totally up to the school. The best thing they would say is that they are proud to have well-equipped sensory rooms and resource rooms to teach certain skills 1:1. Ahh…see, here's the catch. They just love the word 'sensory. If sensory issues could solve all behavior problems, my home would be the best equipped; not the schools.

That is why the schools fail our children, and worst, they failed themselves. Denying Behavior Consultants the access, what else does the school have? OT? SLP? None of these can solve the most difficult part- the behaviors. Least to say, the SEAs/EAs who have no experience whatsoever working with children with autism.

All the best Brooks. And hope to see you at the workshop. No one would care for our children other than us the parents. Take good care of yourself, and like David Chan always say, "Fight the good fight". To me, that fight is 'endless smart and sharp advocacy".

[David Chan]

Thanks Bev,

Beat me to it.

Mr. P's Dad

[Bev Sharpe]

Hello Brooks Patterson,
Your experience is why a group of FEATBC parents launched the Hewko case.
You will need to advocate for your child with the Hewko judgement in one hand, and a good lawyer in the other.
Once the Langley school district is aware that you know about Hewko and are going to get a lawyer, they will realize that they cannot deny your child the education that he deserves as a Canadian citizen.
I strongly advise that you attend the Advocacy Workshop that Jean Lewis and David Marley are presenting on Sat. April 30th. This workshop will specifically deal with School Advocacy and the Hewko case. (Contact mfanow@gmail.com or call 604-290-5737 to register)
Brooks, please email me: bsharpe7@hotmail.com and I will forward you my phone number. I would like to speak with you about your son's situation.
Thank you,
Beverley Sharpe

[Brooks Patterson]

Here is a link to the Langley Advance story. They got most of the facts right. They messed up the part about being sent home repeatedly since March 14. He only went twice since the 14th.

http://www.langleyadvance.com/year+ousted+from+Topham/4581459/story.html

[Brooks Patterson]

Hi Dave,

You're bang on Dave. Worksafe delivered an investigation report yesterday and judging from your comments it sounds like you have already read it. They skip the fact that Our BC was repeatedly denied access to the classroom and her recomendations were never followed. I also offered the investigating officer the opportunity to interview us and our child. They declined.

Anyway our child is still out of class. The district has offered to move him to another school. We are still weighing our options.

There is a piece in the Langley advace about us today. Let us know what you think.

Thanks for your comments and support.

Brooks

[Dave Collyer]

Hello Brooks,

I sure hope things have resolved for you over the last few days… I am surprised at the lack of response from the FEAT members…
This is a huge issue for ALL of us.

Without knowing the details of your situation I am going to assume that the "risk" presented to the BCTF member by your child is aggressive-assaultive behaviour. In the past I have worked with children who were incredibly aggressive and I loved my job. Kinda odd I guess but these kids used to make me happy to come to work. They have super personalities that people often overlook simply because the negative behaviour draws so much attention. Focus on the strengths and deal with the behaviour constructively. It will change over time. :0)

This issue (WCB investigations etc) has presented in the past in other districts. WCB has usually generated a report and recommendations re. addressing-reducing risks. Based on this report School and Board based admin officers typically are tasked with producing a risk reduction action plan. A "what to do" action plan. Trained SEAs are put in place or training is provided to current SEAs to implement this plan. A behaviour plan is developed that includes both proactive and reactive strategies. Ideally, IMO, this plan would be developed by an expert in the field of Autism… perhaps your consultant. Regardless proactive strategies are identified (how to reduce the likelihood of the behaviour occurring… antecedent manipulation, reinforcement of appropriate "competing behaviors" etc) and reactive strategies are clearly outlined (what to do when the behaviour occurs… deescalation, when to call for help, who to call for help etc). SEAs should be trained in CPI (Conflict Prevention Intervention) training (which covers restraints, deescaltion etc) as should other key members of the staff. Obviously CPI training should "kick in" only when all other elements of the behaviour plan have failed.

So… talk with the District Spec Ed admin and the school Admin Officers about a "risk reduction" plan to address the concerns outlined in the WCB report. CPI training. Trained SEAs. Key school based staff who can assist if behaviour escalates. etc… Sometimes the school admin needs to be brought to the water and encouraged to drink… lol. Good luck and know that you are not alone.

Dave.

[Author]

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