[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

[Luke’s mama]

Dave
Thanks for your detailed comments on the school IEP and funding info about public or private school.

I am curious if you could give me some more advice with the hiring of the senior therapist to the school. How long did it take? What steps were implemented to be able to have school "catch on" to the idea?

Our situation is that Luke is high functioning to the point he would be easily sought out as one on the spectrum, however have a 2 minute conversation with him and you know he is definately aspergers like.

The school says that Luke is high function and that most kids are just coming to his standards so that we should be happy with what we have. They also advise the category G is only for half time which = 2 hrs automatically.

Interesting since this is all without having any ABA trained therapist at the school to determine that. Nor any consultant for that matter.

Is this a long process and what can we do as parents to at these IEP meetings? I do know that crying gets a deaf ear but it is hard not react emotionally because it is our child and not a file number after all.

Your comments would be appreciated if you want to post here or email me direct at :

abatherapy@live.com

Thanks a lot. Anyone have suggestions or info, don't hesitate to share because we are parents helping parents.

Luke's mom

[Dave Collyer]

Hello "Luke's mama",

"Anyone out there have a success story to share with their IEP at school?"

Yes. We have had great success working with our son's School Based Team in the development of an IEP in partnership with our Behavioral Consultant and our contracted OT. The school Spec Ed Admin team agreed to higher our home based Senior Therapist to be his SSA. They have allowed us to bring ABA into the school as the primary educational modality. It has been a very positive experience to date (1st year). Our son is welcomed by staff and students. Space has been found for 1-1 teaching as needed when he is not within the regular classroom (although things do get bumped around sometimes). Our "outside" contractors are part of the IEP team and process. They have been invited to attend and observe our son on a regular basis in the classroom and school environment. They do so with a great degree of professionalism and as part of our son's educational team.

To arrive at this point has taken work and relationship building. It has been worth it.

"is public school better or private school?"

Based on information I have heard from other parents all I can say in response is "Sometimes". Some private schools are excellent… others not so much. Same goes for Public Schools.

"Does funding get cut after you switch to private?"

No. Your L2 grant ($16,000) will follow your child. If you enroll in a Private school you will see some reduction in funding levels as the Basic Student Grant will be reduced to half (just under $3000.00)

[Francine Nicols]

Hello

I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with any North Burnaby schools with regards to ABA trained aids. We are cross-boundary now at a vancouver school and are very frustrated with the lack of (proper)support and resistance we are experiencing. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I can be emailed directly at kevandmaddie@telus.net

Thanks,
Maddie

[Luke’s mama]

Anyone out there have a success story to share with their IEP at school? is public school better or private school? Does funding get cut after you switch to private?

Cheers,
Luke's mommy

[Deleted User]

A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Do you like to work with kids? Are you fun-loving, full of energy and love to share some laughs?

We are a family in North Burnaby (Brentwood Mall) area and we are excited to bring on enthusiastic people to our home team.

The shifts will be 3 to 4 sessions a week and will be 2.5 to 3 hours long. Training will be provided and a commitment of 1 year is appreciated. If you like our son and work well with this position, it may turn into a full time position at his school.

Our 7 year old is a very happy, gentle and full of laughs. His interests are the Australian Open (tennis) and famous ships like Titanic and the USS Arizona (PearlHarbor).

Our consultant is Kathryn Theroux from the well-established Able Clinic and she is going to be leading you into a rewarding career of making a BIG difference in this little boy's life. We encourage anyone interested in this opportunity and can make that difference to apply to : bubblepiggy2@hotmail.com
*************************

[Louise Taylor]

Surrey School District Meeting for new parents re: Supportive Services

Reminder for tomorrow night's meeting!

For those new parents who may not yet be aware, the Surrey district (#36) is holding a meeting for parents of students entering kindergarten. The purpose is to meet Student Support Servies staff and "have an overview of the range of support services provided in the district". This meeting will be hosted by Rick Ryan (Director of Instruction), Claudia Semaniuk (Admin. Principal)and Brad Bauman, Ron Bergeron and Gayle Bedard.

Date: Tues, Feb 5th @ 630-8 PM
Place: District Conference Centre, Room #400, 9260 – 140th Street, Surrey

[Mike & Jean]

"Medicare for Autism Now!" Rally

Sunday, March 2nd, 2008

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

6450 Deer Lake Avenue

Burnaby

Why should you attend?

Despite a decade of lobbying, collaborating and litigating – autism treatment is still excluded from our universal health care system. Canadian families are still bankrupting themselves in order to provide treatment for their autistic children.
The current and limited funding provided through the provincial government’s social services ministries could evaporate tomorrow with the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen. No legislation exists within these ministries to protect or enshrine our children’s medically necessary treatment.
In 30 years of "advocacy", the only two initiatives which have achieved ANY success for our children and families has been litigation, and more recently, focused political action. Both were brought by the members of FEAT of BC – a 100% volunteer organization.
Autism is an epidemic of staggering proportions, it now afflicts one in every 150 children in North America, one in every 94 boys. It is time for the Federal Government to act! We need to let those who govern and those who wish to govern that they are going to be held accountable at the ballot box in the next federal election.
Who should attend?

You – and every fair-minded Canadian you know!

Children with autism suffer from political indifference. It will take the sustained energy and dedication of EVERY CANADIAN who desires a just society to correct this injustice. For our children’s sakes, and the sake of future generations, we urge you to attend this rally. Please bring friends, family, anyone and everyone you know who is appalled by the gross injustice done to our children every day by the governments of Canada and its provinces.

Featured speakers will include:

Dr. Sabrina Freeman – Executive Director, FEAT of BC and parent

Jean Lewis – Director, FEAT of BC and parent

David Chan – Director, Autism Society of BC, FEAT of BC and parent

Dubravka Skrijelj – FEAT of BC member and parent

Dr. Glen Davies – Clinical Director – ABLE Developmental Clinic

Beverley Sharpe – FEAT of BC member and parent

Louise Witt – Director, Autism Society of BC, FEAT of BC and parent

David Marley – FEAT of BC member and Political Strategist

Please RSVP to www. featbc.org and forward this notice to anyone you think will be interested.

FEAT of BC: " To see justice is done"

[Louise Taylor]

Surrey School District Meeting for new parents re: Supportive Services

For those new parents who may not yet be aware, the Surrey district (#36) is holding a meeting for parents of students entering kindergarten. The purpose is to meet Student Support Servies staff and "have an overview of the range of support services provided in the district". This meeting will be hosted by Rick Ryan (Director of Instruction), Claudia Semaniuk (Admin. Principal)and Brad Bauman, Ron Bergeron and Gayle Bedard.

Date: Tues, Feb 5th @ 630-8 PM
Place: District Conference Centre, Room #400, 9260 – 140th Street, Surrey

[Deleted User]

Hello Trinh Vu

I read your post from July about Roxanne Black and I am in the same problem except my kid
is in Gr. 2 now.

Pls email me more becuz I can learn from that
experience. my email: yipee@shaw.ca

Thx
Mr. M's mama

[Theresa Jouan]

Just a reminder, FEAT BC is hosting a Basic Theory workshop on January 26th, from 10-4pm.

Due to the nature of the workshop, seating is limited. This will allow us to provide 1:1 instruction, feedback and allow for optimal learning conditions.

If you are planning to attend but have not yet registered, please download a registration form and contact FEAT of BC immediately to reserve your space. I will post closer to the workshop date as to whether there will be drop in spaces available.

Workshop details and the registration form can be found below (as well as on the FEATBC website):

Date: January 26th, 10-4pm.
Location: Strawberry Hill Public Library (see map on registration form for directions)

Seating is limited to please reserve your spot now!

Registration forms can be found at:

http://www.featbc.org/downloads/abtwsl.pdf

Cost is $30 per person.

This workshop would benefit parents, therapists, senior and lead instructors, SEAs and other professionals.

This is a new and improved basic workshop with a focus on video, teaching and applying the basic theory concepts with group work!

Hope to see you there!

Theresa Tournemille
FEATBC Workshop Co-Instructor

[Author]

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