[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

[Nancy Walton]

I am pleased to announce that on Thursday May 19th, the South Fraser ASBC meeting will present: "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

[Alan Campbell]

this is a test

[Alan Campbell]

Hi All;

I have some questions about enrolling our daughter into Kindergarten for this fall.
We live in Langley City and were wondering if anyone has any information about any particular schools, as in which ones may be better (or worse) than others.
Also, do I contact the Langley School Board directly about having our own SEA in the classroom or the individual school? Are we allowed to hire this person and if so, who pays them? Is it possible to split the cost with the school board? Our Lead Therapist is very interested in this opportunity and we can't think of a better candidate.
Any information that you have out there will be appreciated. We will check back here, or feel free to e-mail us directly at alanandcindy@shaw.ca
Thank-you.

Sincerely,
Cindy Campbell

[Jenn Ralph]

Here is a letter written to Min of Ed, Tom Christensen. By the way, awesome letter Monika! That's what got my blood flowing again….uuurrggh.
Jenn.

Mr. Christensen,

Thank you for finally responding (or having one of your staff members do it) to my previous emails with regard to my concerns about my daughter’s right to equal access to education.
However, and I guess I should have expected as much, you passed the buck to the school boards and the ministry of children and families. Trust me, I am familiar with them both, as are all parents of autistic children.
As you are probably aware of with the Deskin/Wynberg case ruled on in Ontario 2 weeks ago, school boards and government currently DO NOT provide equal access to autistic children in education (not to mention health care…) in ANY province, and the judge ruled that the Ontario government in this case, via the ministry of Education, was discriminating against autistic children by not providing best practice, evidence based treatment – ABA.

The exact same thing is happening in BC, and that is why I have been contacting you.

If you are not aware of the gravity of this situation, I would be happy to educate you. The members of the Autism Society of BC would love to have a meeting with you if you would agree to it. This would demonstrate that you at least have some concern about autistic children and their rights under the Education Act.
If you are aware, I beg you to do the right thing and ensure that ALL autistic children in BC (where it has been prescribed by their doctor) receive ABA-proficient aides in the classroom.
Anything less is risking my daughters health and future, and ensuring the right treatment now will save taxpayers much, much more money in the future.
Do you care about what happens beyond your term in government even if it is the right thing to do now, and for the long run?
The discrimination must stop, and the onus is on you to do the right thing – not only as minister, but as a moral human being.

I would be very impressed if you responded without passing the buck and giving me a straight answer.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ralph

PS – the article below was not written by me, but reflects all of our sentiments…..

Saint John Times Globe
Apr 14, 2005

Page: D7
Section: Opinion

Fix inclusion for autistic children

Does the political education bureaucrats have the will, vision and
determination to fix inclusion relevant to children with autism?

Dr. Wayne MacKay is conducting a review of Inclusion Education in New
Brunswick. As the review unfolds, stakeholders are to be invited to
participate in the consultation process. including administrators,
principals, teachers, parents and interest groups. It is my hope that all
stakeholders research and study the best practices, evidence-based
treatments and teaching methods (ABA)

New Brunswick is facing challenges in educational direction. Take for
example, the recent court ruling in Ontario that determined Ontario
violated the constitutional rights and human dignity of autistic
schoolchildren by denying them treatment they desperately need in order to cope
and thrive. The judge ruled the province broke its Education Act to meet
the needs of disabled children.

Will our education policymakers learn from Ontario's mistakes? Will
they make the same mistake? The alarm bells at the Department of Education
should be ringing loud and clear. Like Ontario's parents who
successfully won their fight in court, parents in N.B. will continue to fight for
their autistic children.

The government has two choices on the table:

Reactive – denying autistic children Applied Behavioral Analysis within
a child's education plan will force parents to play their " go to
court" card, and tell parents that the best interests of autistic children
will not be served.

Proactive – this approach means the government is prepared to do what's
right. UNB has the expertise to train TA's and educators. Each district
has state of the art video conference equipment. Training can be
delivered throughout the province at the same time. It is time – start
educating the educators. What is the slogan that this government uses so
freely? "All children matter, all children count." Actions speak louder
than words.

LILA BARRY Miramichi

[Deleted User]

Summer School Tutor

Looking for Line Therapists to help with school related programming for 8-year-old Asperger boy in end-stage programming over Spring-Summer + possibility to train as potential 2005-2006 SEA candidates in West Vancouver District.

Extensive overlap and training provided. Consultant is San Francisco Bay Area Treatment Centre Director Shawn Condon from LIFE (Lovaas Institute), who is supervised by Scott Cross and Scott Wright. Seasoned and stable Home Team has been together for over 2 years. Team work-style is extremely open and collaborative, while paying great attention to detail.

Ideal candidate will have strong interest in psychology, Lovaas-ABA, and consider this an amazing opportunity for paid professional development. They will also be fun, of inquiring mind, and willing **and able** to invest themselves in this child’s home/school program. We really need someone who will enjoy the journey of end-stage programming and recovery.

To apply in confidence please email taml@telus.net, subject line: Summer School Tutor.

[Julie Ng]

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone heard, or know anything about the school, the Mediated Learning Academy out in Coquitlam?

We are asking on behalf of a family who has a 12 year old son who has finally just been diagnoised with being on the autism spectrum. He is speech delayed and has problems socializing with peers.

The family is new to all this, any information can help.

Thank you.

[Elna Sund]

Hi
My name is Elna and I have been an ABA lead/therapist for almost 5 years now. I am interested in becoming an educational assistant. I am interested in rate of pay and level of education/experience needed to be hired as an educational assistant. I am currently attending UBC and will graduate with a BA in psych this year. If there are some EA's please feel free to email me:
elna@abatherapists.com

[Deleted User]

For your information, the Education Minister, Tom Christensen, will be in Coquitlam on Monday February 28, 2005 to meet interested parents from 2:30pm – 4:00pm in the Gallery Room at Winslow Centre.

I know I have a few questions …

t

[Marie and Dwight Anglehart]

***Most supportive schools/pre-schools***

Our son is three, and so we're planning ahead for pre-school and school. We live in Vancouver, but we're willing to relocate to an area that offers quality and supportive education.

Is there a general consensus about which school districts are recommended for autistic and non-autistic children? If you'd like to share your personal experiences, they would be welcomed too.
Our home email is dwighta@uniserve.com.

Thanks.

[Lisa Yi]

Hi Everybody
My name is Lisa Yi. My son is attending a kindergarten in Vancouver school district. Our son's SEA(school aid) has not been satisfactory to say the least. She is frequently absent from school, absent from IEP meeting and unhappy that I am picking my son up late to cut into her break time. The general question that I can ask is "What can I do?." THe ideal solution would be to have a new SEA but I have no clue in how to pursue that issue. Is there any way that I can find out about the procedures?
Another aspect that I want to inqure about is Home Schooling Program. I would like to know from someone who already is in or has an experience of such program. Also, I am curious as to what happens to the funding that a child is entitled to if a child decides to pursue such program.
I would like to thank you for taking time to read my letter and send me back some valuable information. My e-mail address is jyi@canada.com
Thanks.

lisa

[Author]

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