[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

[Karen Whittome]

Last October, I read a notice from Rachel Russell re Lunch Bunch
programs for the purpose of "organizing groups of kids into specific
activities to help our clients get socially involved at recess and
lunch." I noted the names of game books she recommended. Thanks,
Rachel!

Now I need more info on the programs and how they are set up. I am an
SEA who would like to facilitate peer play (mostly turn-taking games at this point) between children on the
Autism spectrum and those who are more "typical." I will soon be
meeting with my vice principal to discuss this relative to setting up
a Lunch Bunch program.

If anyone could provide information in this regard(including contact
info with those who are involved), I'd be most grateful. I can be
reached at hisgrace@uniserve.com. Thank you very much!

Karen Whittome

[Karen Whittome]

Last October, I read a notice from Rachel Russell re Lunch Bunch
programs for the purpose of "organizing groups of kids into specific
activities to help our clients get socially involved at recess and
lunch." I noted the names of game books she recommended. Thanks,
Rachel!

Now I need more info on the programs and how they are set up. I am an
SEA who would like to facilitate peer play (mostly turn-taking games at this point) between children on the
Autism spectrum and those who are more "typical." I will soon be
meeting with my vice principal to discuss this relative to setting up
a Lunch Bunch program.

If anyone could provide information in this regard(including contact
info with those who are involved, I'd be most grateful. I can be
reached at hisgrace@uniserve.com. Thank you very much!

Karen Whittome

[Nancy Walton]

Surrey School District Parents (and future parents)

I was asked the following questions by members of the Surrey school board and while I think I know the answers, I'd like to hear from you. All information will be kept confidential (please write "confidential" at the top of your e-mail to me) unless you don't mind the board knowing who you are. I would just like to give more accurate accounts. I think many parents don't express their concerns for fear of retaliation against their child. So consider this to be a safe outlet of your concerns.

1) If you have children coming into the school system in the next few years, will you be wanting an ABA trained aide (SEA)?

2) If you are currently in the system, do you have what you would consider to be an ABA trained aide?

3) Are you currently satisfied with the SEA that your child now has? Feel free to elaborate.

4) How beneficial do you feel the Special Education Teaching Assistant (SETA) training has been for your aide?

5) Is the teacher, integration teacher and principal helpful in ensuring that your child is able to do ABA in the school? Feel free to elaborate.

Please e-mail your answers to wiklo@shaw.ca. Also, if you know of someone who isn't computer savvy, please ask to pass on their info to me as well. Thanks for your help.

Nancy

[Deleted User]

Full Day Kindergarten SEA Funding provided for in School Act

Section 3 of the BC School Act states that if a child has an “autism” diagnosis he is eligible for full day kindergarten (and SEA support to attend for the full day)… http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/ppandg/10_kinder.htm

NOTE: Your school district has to apply for this funding by September 30 of the current school year, but you should start your negotiations now…

Good Luck!

t
_________

Full Day Kindergarten
References
School Act, section 3
Form Completion Instructions: Form 1513, Superintendent's Report on Special Education Enrolment
Some students who are identified as having special education needs are eligible for 950 hours of instruction immediately upon attaining the age of eligibility for Kindergarten. These are students who:
• are dependent handicapped;
• have moderate, severe, or profound intellectual disabilities;
• are deaf or hard of hearing;
• have visual impairment;
• have autism; and/or
• have physical disabilities.
School districts may claim these students for full day special education funding and report them on Form 1513 in September of the year in which they are admitted to school, providing that an appropriate Individual Education Plan has been developed to address their special educational needs.
To ensure continuity when a child has been in a special needs preschool or child development centre program, districts are advised to co-ordinate the entry of the child to school and the planning of the Kindergarten program with programs which have been offered in the preschool years. In some cases, school districts may elect to contract for services through a preschool or child development centre for some portion of the child's educational program in the Kindergarten year.

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Nancy:

Thanks for posting that. Years ago my son was also turned down here in Penticton by the Catholic school – they never even met him! The Principal actually lied to me and told me there was no space. Well, then I sent my therapist down to apply with her (imaginary) NT child stating she wasn't Catholic- guess what? – they had space. When I confronted the school and Church -I was given the runaround. I also want to state that we told them we would supply our own aide, etc. To make the decision having never even met my son and then to lie to me on top of it was got me the most. Especially since the Catholic religion believes that God created every child – that would include those with autism. Now I know some families have had good experiences with Catholic schools – just stating mine.

Barbara

[Nancy Walton]

Check out Monday's Vancouver Sun, the Lower Mainland section. There should be an article about Roxanne Black's son getting turned down at a private Catholic school because he is autistic.

[Seanon Jones-Kirsebom]

Does anyone out there have a child in the
White Rock Elementary Fine Arts program?
Could you please email me and let me know
how well supported your child is within this program, and whether the school and SEA are following your child's program protocol.

Please email: seanonjk@shaw.ca

Thanks so much

[Nancy Walton]

Regarding the recent ASBC meetings about "Taking Peer Play to school".

Lisa showed us videos of peer play in action and explained what was going on and how the school moments were achieved. It is, unfortunately, difficult to replicate what any parent could get out of this presentation through e-mail. Particularly, because every parent may each take a different lesson away from this meeting as it applies to their own child. What may interest you, may not be what the person e-mailing you was interested in.

We are also unable to video tape these meetings due to possible misuse or liability reasons (the speaker is not there with you to answer your questions, so misunderstandings can arrise).

Clearly we need more opportunities like this, so that all parents can attend from all regions. NOBODY is paid to put on these meetings. Right now, we only have meetings like these in the North Shore, South Surrey, and Nanaimo. If you would like these speakers to come to your area, start up an ASBC group. You could even just arrange a meeting place every 2 or 3 months and invite speakers. Ask for donations to cover the costs of the speaker, or get help from ASBC (you might want to become a member while you are at it).

Attending meetings like this continues to add to your knowledge so that you are able to guide your child's program. Anyone can bring these speakers to their own community.

We need to support each other. We each need to do our part. There is no one out there paid to do this for us.

Nancy Walton

[Yoshie Homsani]

Hi everybody,
If anyone attended the South Fraser ASBC meeting last week, please give some information on the presentation "Taking peer play to school".
I could not attend the meeting due to my work.
This presentation was also given at the North shore ASBC meeting last month.
Pls e-mail me at magnif@intergate.bc.ca

Thank you
Yoshie

[Nancy Walton]

Just a reminder of the South Fraser ASBC meeting tomorrow night, Thursday May 19, 7-9pm.

This is a must for parents of preschool or school age autistic children. The presentation is: "Taking Peer Play to School — a playful look at how to integrate peer play for the mid to low functioning child into the school environment".

Senior Therapist Lisa Moody will present a case scenario, including video footage, of how it should look and feel across home and school environments and age spans, as well as how to trouble shoot tricky situations as they arise.

This presentation was given at the North Shore ASBC meeting last month. I have heard that it was a valuable presentation. Lately parents have been discussing possible school options for their children. This is an important presentation to demonstrate what is possible.

All are welcome: Parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, district administrators, therapists, judges, politicians and Service Providers.

Please note, this meeting is on May 19th, the third Thursday of May (not the second). Meeting time is 7-9pm. Address: 15306 24th Ave, South Surrey.

Entrance is by donation; materials, coffee and treats are always supplied. We hope that you can join us.

Nancy Walton
wiklo@shaw.ca or
604-538-8021 for more information

[Author]

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