[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

[David Chan]

Dear Janet,

Thank you for articulating the situation so very well. It's good to hear from some on in the trenches. I really feel your pain, to get it once and school, and then again at home, hats off to you.

I reason I wrote the post was to get the ball rolling. I think what was most frustrating for me was to hear the same rhetoric 10 years on. It seems that the situation hasn't improved,rather it's gotten worse, upsetting to say the least.

I totally understand the position of the BCTF person that was on the radio. She is the union representative, and her job is, and I compeletely understand, is to get the best possible pay and working conditions for the members of the union. It seems disingenuous for her to wrap herself around the flag and champion the cause of our children as well.

How it comes across it appears, is, having these kids underfunded in our classrooms is a detriment to all concerned. And since we are at the mercy of funding whether it's from the district or the ministry, we are hamstrung.

The subtext seems to be the "Typical" population would be better served if these kids were just no part of classroom, and since by definition, all of the special kids are in the minority, segregating them would serve the greater good. More over these special kids would be better served. This is where the rationalizing begins people.

Thin wedge of the edge, be afraid, very afraid. I'm not naive enough to think that it won't happen, special classrooms, separate campuses.. it can,and will happen unless all of us speak up.

Integrating all these special needs kids is expensive, very expensive, but the truth of it is that it is the MORALLY correct thing to do.

I think that as a collective of parents, teachers, therapist, have to make that clear to the powers that be. Passing the blame from administrator, to school district, and ministry of education simply isn't good enough.

There are no simple solutions. If there were we wouldn't be talking about it on this board now. Integration isn't CHEAP, but it's the morally correct thing. Since when do we put a price on doing the RIGHT thing.

One foot out of the trench, and now fighting a different battle.

Fight the good fight people.

Mr. P's Dad

[Janet Toye]

David,

I have the utmost respect for you and all the wonderful things you have done for the autism community, but I was quite offended by your “yayadayadayada” comment. I am an elementary school teacher and I am constantly losing sleep because of the quality and quantity of support my special needs children receive. Dealing with aides who are “not on the same page” and constantly advocating for my students so the principal will not withdraw any support during the school year takes a toll and conditions have gotten worse in my almost twenty years of teaching. There was a time when all special needs students received an aide but now these children are only guaranteed support if there is a safety issue. Today, ensuring that special needs children have a decent education is not a good enough reason for extra support. Although school districts receive an extra $18,000 per special needs student from the province, there are instances when none of that money goes toward that child in the form of additional support in the classroom.

In a typical classroom there are also many struggling students who have not been diagnosed and the current system makes it extremely difficult for teachers to recommend psycho-educational or speech and language assessments for them. Even if they are approved for one of these assessments, the wait list is usually over a year long and sometimes even two years, so the teacher struggles to understand the child and attempts to adapt a program that it is meaningful to them. We have difficulty designing a program for our own special needs child, can you imagine doing it for three others of different abilities as well? Now, shall we talk about students with social/emotional/ behavioural problems? I had a student who needed counseling but when I went to the vice-principal, he said that because of cutbacks, the district has poured all the resources in the classroom, so I will have to come up with a solution. I told him that I can control the student’s actions for the time being but that will not solve the root of the problem. The counselor’s schedule was full and the vice-principal restated that I will have to solve the problem myself. I told him that I would solve the problem myself if I knew what to do. He did not offer any suggestions and did not respond. It is not uncommon for classrooms to consist of seventy-five to eighty percent ESL students of varying levels. The current policy is for ESL students to be integrated into regular classrooms which I totally agree with, but I can’t begin to tell you the difficulties of teaching a class about word problems in math or a new science concept when you have a student who does not even recognize his/her own name or know the alphabet. While I am worrying about all the students above, I also need to make sure that the rest of the class is learning so they will meet the expectations for their age group. Keep in mind that when we are helping an individual student, this takes away from time spent with other students. This job is particularly more difficult if the principal has assigned you a split grade and you have to worry about teaching two different curriculums.

You would think that a teacher with an autistic son would have more answers on how to remedy the situation. I have gained significant knowledge about autism and treatments but this knowledge has caused me more stress. I know the difference that an ABA program can make in a child, but I am frustrated because I do not have the expertise or resources to implement one in my classroom. Unfortunately, the research has not yet reached the school level and I have little hope of it happening during the years of budget cutbacks. A few years ago our district eliminated the positions of the district resource teachers who solely worked on helping to design programs for special needs children. Now the district has only two special needs consultants – I will let you do the math about how much time, if any, each child receives. Yes, we teachers believe in integration, but we need help! We cannot be expected to be experts in all disabilities. Think about all the years of training that goes into a board certified behaviour analyst. We are fortunate if we are able register for an introductory school board workshop on autism before it fills up.

It is fantastic to hear that you were successful with your child and I pray that my son and I will follow in your footsteps. It is my guess that you did your research and were very involved in your child’s education, as well as in other aspects of your child’s life. Unfortunately, not all special needs students have parents who are involved (language barriers, education, time), so teachers ultimately try to advocate for these students, but as I have described earlier and as you have indicated in your writing, our views and recommendations are often not taken seriously.

[David Chan]

Ok, all you smart people out there, let me raise this issue with you guys. I was driving along this morning listening to Bill Good talk to the head BCTF lady, about them having a strike in September… Heads up we know this will happen, they will then be legislated back to work so be prepared.

I was the usual the Special needs kids and ESL kids are making our lives a living hell, and it's NOT the money, it's the class composition. So the rhetoric continues about how they believe in integration, yadayadayada, but they are underfunded, and the kids don't get enough support…. but it's not about the MONEY.

You folks out there are really smart, so here it is. I was able to do it with my kid from Grade 3 to Grade 12. I really see this problem is one of scale. I was successful with on kid, how do we scale this for the kids that are in the system now.

OK smart people chime in we'd all like to hear it.

[Bev Sharpe]

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!

Beverley

Going in circles trying to get what your child needs?

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

The Medicare for Autism Now! Society presents:

“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.

· 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

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!

[Bev Sharpe]

Attention all parents, grandparents, therapists and friends of children with Autism,
Dr. Sabrina Freeman's latest book The Complete Guide for Autism Treatments is up on Amazon in a Kindle e-reader edition. Dr. Foxx wrote the foreward and the rest is a careful and meticulous analysis of all Autism treatments.
The URL is:
http://tinyurl.com/46x3dao

This book carefully explains each purported treatment for Autism, gives you the facts and data, and is a must read book. Looking for a clear no-nonsense, fact-based booK? This is the one to read.
Don't forget to register a "like" for your facebook page when you read this book, it will let other parents know that this book is the one worth reading.

A big THANK YOU to Sabrina Freeman for doing this monumental task of putting the truth about Autism treatments to paper. Children are already benefitting from the huge amount of selfless work you did when you started FEATBC and you never stop giving to the cause of children and their medically necessary Autism treatment. This book is another great resource which tells the truth, and enables parents to make the informed choice to start the only treatment program that works: Applied Behaviour Analysis.

My daughter has learned how to speak, dress herself, prepare simple meals, and is responsible for many household chores. She is doing work experience at Old Navy, and is able to sit politely at a dinner table, eat appropriately with a knife and fork and so much more My daughter, and every single child in a bonafide ABA treatment program, is a shining example of ABA – this treatment works.

[Stella Li]

I'm posting this on behalf of another parent. If you have info to share please email me at shui@autismbc.ca
Thanks.

"We are moving back to BC in the summer and I am starting to do a bit of research on Aspergers teen groups or other programs for my daughter who will be going into Grade 8. We are planning to move to the North Shore, but do not yet have a house. I would also really like to talk to someone there about which high schools have a better reputation for dealing with Aspie kids."

[Super Dad]

Going in circles trying to get what your child needs?

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

The Medicare for Autism Now! Society presents:

“Getting it Done!”

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

Topics will include:

* Effective advocates – what they do…or not
* Autism treatment funding – securing its future
* Solving school “issues” using the Hewko case

Be prepared to learn and participate (you’ve never had this much fun in the school principal’s office…) Details to follow – circle the date – don’t miss out, limited spaces available.

Saturday, April 30th _ 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Burnaby Heritage Village Carousel

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

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

Questions or pre-register: Email: mfa@gmail.com or call 604-290-5737

[Deleted User]

Thank You so much for your Help with our school issues.

I have been referred to Kathy Hasley, district principal of special education ( 604 713 5432)

!!!!I would like to share a Must Have Resource:

Linguisystems.com:

Buddy Bear

Early Social Behaviour Books

Autism and PDD Social Skills Lessons

100% Language, No Glamour Listening, No Glamour Sentence Structure

BOARD GAMES and Computer Software that target countless concepts and lessons.

Thank you for the help that you have provided.

[Mike & Jean]

Mindi,

You need to read and familiarize yourselves with the Hewko decision. It was a major victory for kids in ALL BC school districts. It deals with having properly trained ABA aides in school. It is a very powerful judgement – one which all school districts are very familiar however, they choose to ignore it until knowledgable parents challenge them. The Hewko reasons for judgement can be accessed at:
http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/sc/06/16/2006bcsc1638err1.htm

[Jaswant Singh]

Hi Mindi,

I went through a similar experience last year. I may be able to help. Please email me at: cdranu@yahoo.com

Regards,
Jaswant

[Author]

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