[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

[Anonymous]

ASBC is bringing our Basics Training Workshop to Victoria on January 30th & 31st, 2016 from 9:30AM-4:30PM!

The course provides foundational training for individuals interested in working with a home-based Behavioural Intervention team under the supervision of an ABA Consultant and Lead Therapist, and/or parents and professionals looking to gain a better understanding of ABA Therapy.

This two-day training on the implementation of behavioural autism treatments is run by highly experienced behavioural consultants. Day 1 introductory level covers the core elements of discrete trial teaching, functions of behaviour, reinforcement techniques, prompting techniques, ethics and data collection. On day 2, participants delve deeper into the mechanics and learn about antecedent and established operations, reinforcement assessment of preferences, token economies, prompting and fading techniques, and data analysis.

If you are interested in registering for this workshop, please follow this link:
https://autismbc.z2systems.com/np/clients/autismbc/eventRegistration.jsp?event=37&

We offer discounts for ASBC members and 20% group discounts (If five or more people register at one time, with one payment, ASBC offers a 20% discount. This discount cannot be combined with the membership discount. To receive this discount please contact our Events Coordinator by phone at 1-888-437-0880).

[L Suk]

Hi All,

I'm posting on behalf of a family in Surrey.

My son, who is high functioning in ASD spectrum, would be moving on to secondary school next year. We live in Surrey, and I would like to ask of any stories or feedback that you would like to share regarding ABA supports in schools in Surrey/White Rock.
He has been having very successful intensive ABA therapy both at home, and at school with ABA support worker. We wish him to have the ABA support at secondary school continuously.
Thank you!

Pls share at hksaba@yahoo.ca

Thank you!

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

{Oh Dear}

Hi Featers…. Starting our daughter off at the Lifeskills program at Eric Hamber has been a total disaster. It's been beyond a total disaster, in fact. The situation is getting progressively worse and I'm very worried.

I've got a meeting on Monday at the school board (with Eleanor Cramb) to discuss other program and placement options but really feel as if I need to go in armed with a very clear idea of BC Special Education policies and… my legal rights.

I also am doing much of this on my own, need support and am wondering how I can find a social worker that might be able to help. And/or, I need to get in touch with other agencies that could help steer and educate. .Any idea or suggestions?

Please feel free to email me at:
cathy.fitzhugh@gmail.com

Thanks Very Much, In Advance

{Cathy Fitzhugh}

[Anonymous]

ASBC’s Behavioural Interventionists Basics Training Workshops

WHERE:
Surrey
November 7th & 8th – 9:30am to 4:30pm

At Queen Elizabeth Secondary – 9457 King George Blvd., Surrey BC V3V 5W4

Prince George
November 28th & 29th – 9:30am to 4:30pm

At University of Northern British Columbia – 3333 University Way, Prince George BC V2N 4Z9

WHAT: The Autism Society of BC offers Behavioural Interventionists Basics Training Workshops at various times throughout the year. The course provides foundational training for individuals interested in working with a home-based Behavioural Intervention team under the supervision of an ABA Consultant and Lead Therapist, and/or parents and professionals looking to gain a better understanding of ABA Therapy.

This two-day training on the implementation of behavioural autism treatments is run by highly experienced behavioural consultants. Day 1 introductory level covers the core elements of discrete trial teaching, functions of behaviour, reinforcement techniques, prompting techniques, ethics and data collection. On day 2, participants delve deeper into the mechanics and learn about antecedent and established operations, reinforcement assessment of preferences, token economies, prompting and fading techniques, and data analysis.

Don’t be intimidated if these things are unfamiliar to you, this is exactly why we offer the training.

We offer these, and other workshops at discounted rates for members, so sign up today at http://www.autismbc.ca.

RSVP: To register, please visit https://www.autismbc.ca/programs/events/

If you are excited to see this training come to your community give us a call at 1-888-437-0880 or email events@autismbc.ca.

[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC

As a 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. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision.

Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts.

This workshop will teach you how to:
Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager
Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers
Design an effective IEP
Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
Prepare for and manage school meetings
Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide
Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant
Replace an SEA “who has gone bad”
Identify when to “lawyer-up”

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun!

This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions.

Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives.
Spaces are limited so register today.
Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org

About the presenters:
Dr. Sherri Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

David Marley 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. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Jean Lewis 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. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.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.

[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC

As a 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. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision.

Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts.

This workshop will teach you how to:
Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager
Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers
Design an effective IEP
Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
Prepare for and manage school meetings
Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide
Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant
Replace an SEA “who has gone bad”
Identify when to “lawyer-up”

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun!

This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions.

Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives.
Spaces are limited so register today.
Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org

About the presenters:
Dr. Sherri Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

David Marley 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. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Jean Lewis 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. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.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

[Amy Teng]

Hi Parents in Coquitlam,
My son is going to Kindergarten in September 2016. We live in Coquitlam. I would like to know if it is possible to have ABA SW in Coquitlam public or private school. Your experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Please email me at Amy.abateam@gmail.com

[Dione Costanzo]

We are cram packed this week and have some great events in SURREY, VICTORIA and BURNABY! Please see below and don't miss out!

SEP 24, 6:30PM: South Surrey Neighbourhood Network Meeting
Semiahmoo Public Library

Come out to join other parents in South Surrey for our monthly neighbourhood network. Parents and family members of children with ASD can connect and converse!
The topic of discussion is back to school where experienced parents will be on hand to lend advice to new parents.

SEP 25, 11:00AM: Victoria Neighborhood Network Meeting *new group*
Please contact Franca for the address at 250-516-9701 and/or francapastro@icloud.com

Come with questions, meet and get to know other parents to network and share information and resources.

Find out about coming presentations and submit any ideas for topics that you would like more information on.

SEP 25, 6:30PM: Why do we teach things like matching?
The purpose and importance of early skill acquisition programming.
Edmonds Community Centre, Burnaby

This presentation will provide an overview of the rationale for teaching some of the skills often targeted early on in ABA programs, whose purpose may not always be clear. The presenters (Dr. Joan Broto, BCBA-D and Tyla Frewing, BCBA) will provide an explanation of why we need to teach pre-requisite skills such as matching, imitation, and learning readiness. We will also discuss a brief overview of program sequencing and how assessments conducted at the onset of treatment inform program development. Although this presentation will benefit all parents running ABA programs, it will be particularly useful to those who are just starting an ABA program for their younger child.

We highly recommend that anyone attending the ABA in Schools Workshop on Saturday also attend this free event on Friday.

SEP 26, 8:30am-4pm ABA in Schools Workshop in New Westminster
http://autismsupportbc.ca/special-events-2/aba-in-schools-workshop-2015/

SEP 27, 8:30am-noon : We will be in the resource fair at the AS Walk at Swanguard Stadium. Please stop by and say hi!

Find a complete listing of our events on our website:

http://www.autismsupportbc.ca

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

{Dear FEATBC Folks}

I'm the parent of a 13 year old daughter on the spectrum. She's relatively bright, but unfortunately has some limiting fine and gross motor challenges. We live in Vancouver where she has just started high school: at Eric Hamber in an upper-level Lifeskills program.

Although I have not yet spoken directly with anyone at the VSB (I am currently waiting for a response,) it’s become apparent that she needs more physical support than they want to provide and are therefore considering dropping her into a lower Lifeskills program at another school. We are not against making a change, but are concerned that in a lower level, her intellectual needs will not be met.

What we need then is guidance with:

A) Fighting to get her the help she needs in order to stay in the program that's more appropriate for her.

B) Looking for alternative programs (be they private, or in other schools districts) in the lower mainland.

All advice is welcome.
Please feel free to email me at: cathy.fitzhugh@gmail.com

Much gratitude, in advance.

{Cathy Fitzhugh}

The Hamber URL is here:
http://erichamber.ca/departments/specialed/

[Super Dad]

North Shore ASBC Lecture Series

The North Shore ASBC Support Group proudly presents:

Your Child’s Legal Rights in the BC School System
The School Act and the Hewko Decision

by
Beverley Sharpe
and others involved in the Hewko case

at
7:00pm, Wed Sept 16

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

GUEST SPEAKER:

Bev has accumulated years of advocacy experience as a litigant in the Auton/Anderson cases, legal committee member in the Hewko case, and director of FEAT BC. She will be joined by others involved with the various lawsuits.

TOPIC:

The discussions will cover the following:
– Parents’ rights under the School Act,
– Obligations of school boards surrounding IEPs, and
– Implications of the Hewko case.

This session will provide legal information that is particularly useful to those planning to attend the ABA Support Network’s “ABA in Schools” workshop.

DIRECTIONS:

The West Vancouver Memorial Library is at 1950 Marine Drive:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=1950+Marine+Dr,+West+Vancouver,+BC+V7V+1J8

The library is easily accessible via Highway #1 Upper Levels, taking either the 15th Street or 20th St. exits.

Coffee/Tea and snacks provided. Donations are greatly appreciated (but not required).

Please RSVP to <asbcnorthshore@yahoo.ca>.

David and Dragos
(Co-facilitators for ASBC North Shore Group)

[Author]

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