[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

[Dave Collyer]

For Peggy Boon,

I am not sure if any of these will be of help. Let me know as I have a pile more:

Spec Ed resource Guide: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/sid/

A list of strategies and examples: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/landbdif/toc.htm

Adaptations vs. Modifications: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/iep/defin.htm

ADHD Adaptations check list: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/adhd/app4.htm

SPec Ed Glossary for the general terms: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/ppandg/glossary.htm

Spec Ed "Teaching Students With Autism" resource (search the PDF using "adaptations" as a key word and in the case studies you might find some examples that are useful): http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/docs/autism.pdf

Dave.

[Peggy Boon]

We are in the midst of IEP planning and I am looking for a list of adaptations that I saw a few years back on the Ministry of Ed website…has anyone seen this or has it been removed?

[Dione Costanzo]

The Learning Disabilities Association – Fraser South Chapter presents:

‘Negotiating the Special Education Maze’
with Cathie Camley, Parent Advocacy Expert and member of the LDABC Education Committee.

Tuesday, October 23rd 7 pm at the Surrey Conference Centre, 9260-140 Street in Surrey.

Admission is free to members of LDAFS; Non-members by Donation at the door.
Registration is not required for this event.

[Super Dad]

Hi Danielle,

As far as I know, an IEP has never been a legal document in Canada (even though it is in the states). If the school fails to follow the IEP, you can use it as evidence that they have not done their job, but you can't call it a breach of contract.

Tony

[Dave Collyer]

For Danielle Cross,

re IEPs:

A good place to start: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/iepssn/whatiep.htm

I am not a lawyer… it is my understanding that IEPs in British Columbia do not have the same legal ramifications that IEPs in certain US jurisdictions carry (google "Wrights Law" and IEPs). The IEP in BC is still a legal document in the sense that one must be created when modifications to curric. and outcomes (etc) are made. The various districts and private schools also need to generate IEPs in order to satisfy the Ministry requirements (file audits and funding…). But from this point on the legal requirements US Districts work under when an IEP is created do not seem to carry over to BC. This is not to say that an IEP could not be used in a legal argument if one were to engage in litigation.

I am confused by the reference to the Hewko case and the connection being made to having all of the "players" sign the IEP. The primary highlights of the Hewko trial seem to center on "consultation" (two way… and an obligation to incorporate input from parents and community partners) and "instructional control" (the ability to engage, gain and maintain a student’s focus and attention in order for them to learn… for many children ABA is the primary means of accomplishing this). In Hewko the "meat" of the Court ruling appears to be based on sections 4 and 7 of the School Act and the conclusion was that the District failed to meet it's statutory duty to consult. The Court also noted that “…[r]easonable accommodation is an integral part of the duty to consult." and that in this case the Court found that the District “…must include an accommodation of his home-based program – at least until instructional control is gained and maintained of him in the school setting.” Signing or not signing an IEP would seem to have little to do with this finding. The District would still be under obligation to CONSULT (parents and other partners), ACCOMMODATE (home based ABA programs) and DEMONSTRATE (instructional control).

At least this is how I see it.

Dave.

[edgecombe]

I came across this from a friend…not sure if this is being advertised for all to see. If you have a child in the Langley School District, this will be a very important meeting for you to attend. This is our opportunity as parents / caregivers to make our concerns known. If no one attends this meeting, this will tell the School District that we are happy with the support they are currently providing for our children. We do not want to send them the wrong message.

****************SPECIAL EDUCATION INQUIRY ~ Langley****************

Your input is essential to ensure students with special needs receive the support they require.

Parents, educators and community members are invited to make oral or written presentations to the Special Education Inquiry panel. A report with recommendations will be released when the hearings have concluded.

PANELISTS
Mike Suddaby, retired Superintendent of Schools, Maple Ridge
Nadine Guiltner, retired teacher and published author
Dr. Shirley McBride, former Director of Special Programs, Ministry of Education

Hearings will run from 3 – 5 PM and 7 – 9 PM each day:
Wednesday, October 24 – Aldergrove Legion, 26607 Fraser Highway
Thursday, October 25 – Fort Langley Community Hall, 9167 Glover Road
Monday, October 29 – George Preston Arena, 20699-42 Avenue

Please call 604-533-1618 or e-mail specialed@langleyteachers.com for more information or to reserve a time for your presentation.

Sponsored by the Langley Teachers’ Association, CUPE Local 1260 and the Langley District Parent Advisory Council with support from the BCTF.

[Danielle Cross]

IEP is no longer a legal document?

I was in an IEP meeting for one of my foster kiddos today, who is developmentally delayed. The resource teacher told me that the team (including myself) didn't need to sign the IEP. She said that her directive from the district is not to have peole sign the IEP anymore, because that implies it's a legal document, which it isn't meant to be. She stated this was all in light of the Hewko case.

I'm pretty upset about this, as I COUNT on the IEP being a legal document, since that's what leads to accountability. Without an IEP to keep the school accountable, what will?

Does anyone know if what our district is doing is legal? Is this happening anywhere else?

[Mike & Jean]

By Mike & Jean (Lewis) on Saturday, October 6, 2007 – 5:51 pm:
We must remind parents once again – this board is ONLY for parents who are running Lovaas-style ABA programs which are being supervised by properly credentialed Behaviour Consultants. In other words, only Behavioural Consultants which FEAT of BC recommends. This DOES NOT include Verbal Behaviour or Fluency based ABA programs. You must identify your Behavioural Consultant in your posting or it will be removed and your posting priviledges will be withdrawn. On a similar note – discussion regarding alternative treatments and therapies should not be conducted on this website. We ask that everyone using and taking advantage of this free FEAT of BC service read and respect the guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation.

[Brad & Roxanne Black]

Hi Debra!!
I know that parents who request an ABA Support Worker are supposed to have an ABA program running in their home. I don't think these children can survive in school without the proper programming!

Gone are the days that our children are tossed in the segregation room and forgotten about. My little guy is very affected with Autism and the school is amazed at what he can do..thanks to a good consultant and ABA. We have definately raised the bar and our expectations are high. My husband and I met with the Superintendant of the Surrey School District yesturday and told him just that!! God help them if they try and mess with our ABA Support Workers and what our children need. The time is now to push back…not let them intimidate you into thinking they are doing us a huge favor by allowing qualified workers into the school with our children. It's about time they did the right thing..parents and their kids have suffered in this system far too long. ABA is their core health need, the bar has been raised for our kids because we as parents have pushed for it.

If parents don't advocate for what our children need who the h— will. Our kids count on us to get aggressive (even if it's not our nature) to push and to not accept mediocre!!!

Hewko works…. A huge thanks to the Hewko family, FEAT (Jean and Sabrina) and all the other's who played a role. We owe you a debt of gratitude!!

[Debra Antifaev]

oops!
I wanted to add that this problem is two-fold. We have parents with home-based programs, training ABA tutors, but not able to get proper school coverage. I already know of two ABA trained SEA's who are now working with children who are not in a ABA home program and several parents who DO have an ABA program but DO NOT have an ABA SEA!!!!
I just see an awful mess in the making and I feel powerless right now as to how to prevent it.

Deb

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