[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

[Deleted User]

My son is in grade 3 and has had a "full-time" SEA since kindergarten. "Full-time" equates to 5 hours a day and a typical school day is 5 hrs 20 minutes.
We just had our IEP and the rules have changed this year. The integration teacher at the school said that the IEP rules are now that I was to leave the school the day of the IEP with the IEP in my hand. The purpose of the IEP is to consult with your "team" (speech/lang path, integration teacher, classroom teacher, SEA etc) and decide on an individual education program (hence the IEP) with reasonable goals and challenges for your child to meet throughout the school year.
Your principal was right in that the SEA assigned to the classroom is essentially that.. assigned to the classroom in order to help the teacher. The SEA is not supposed to be your child's teacher but only to be an extra body in the classroom to help out.
I have some of the same concerns regarding safety issues as my son will wrap anything and everything around his neck and has no real concept of danger. He needs the full-time one-to-one aid. If this was taken away from him, I'm not sure of what would happen because the last thing I heard was that EVERY person in BC has the right to an education upto grade 12. I would not keep my son home due to lack of a SEA. It's up to the school to find those dollars with which to support the children who needs the help.

[Graham Egli]

I am a "guy" and I am asking for help, so you can see how serious I am. My son has autism. He is in kindergarten. There are several issues.

1) What is he entitled to under law?
2) What is role of IEP? And is their a standard protocol for same?
3) To whom does the school principal report?
4) What is legal role of SEA?

My son has a great teacher. My son also has in his class a SEA. We were under the impression that the SEA was there soley for our son and one on one education with our son. We recently attended a meeting to develop our sons EIP. It was attended by our few members of our ABA therapy team, ourselves, the Principal, Teacher, SEA and 4 or more Board specialists, consultants etc. The meeting was the worst I have ever attended in my life. The Principal chaired the meeting and suggested that the EIP was already written in her very general terms. The principal further stated that the SEA was not solely for our son, but to help the teacher with the whole class, and even then as to our son only to provide safety and only on a 50% of the time basis as that was all the funding the principal had. The principal further stated that if I had any issue with any of this to support the teachers union and get after the government for increased funding. The Principal then stated that as she had another meeting scheduled 1.5 hrs after ours started that our meeting would have to be reconvened at a later date. When I suggested this was not a great idea and that we could use another room in the school to continue, the Principal said there were no other rooms in the building! We ajourned shortly after with the teacher assigned the role to write up the IEP over the next couple weeks.

Some concerns I have are that the Principal stated that no time frames could be in the IEP as they could not commit to actually accomplishing any of the goals by any certain dates or even within the full kindergarten year.

Another is if the SEA is only for safety and only 50% of time who will ensure A) my son is safe the other 50% of the time he is in the schools care and custody and further if the SEA is only for safety who will deliver the special one on one education that the IEP will propose and that he medically requires? The school board as no one to put in the class, the principal will not allow the SEA to provide it, and the principal will not allow us to provide a member from our team to the class due to her concerns over the teachers union.

As every day counts for my son at this age, I need help in determining exactly what he should have under law and how I can ensure he gets it.

Any experience, ideas are appreciated. P.S. I must stress that both the teacher and SEA are very very interested in my sons education however are restrained by the rules as promulgated by the principal.

[Graham Egli]

I am a "guy" and I am asking for help, so you can see how serious I am. My son has autism. He is in kindergarten. There are several issues.

1) What is he entitled to under law?
2) What is role of IEP? And is their a standard protocol for same?
3) To whom does the school principal report?
4) What is legal role of SEA?

My son has a great teacher. My son also has in his class a SEA. We were under the impression that the SEA was there soley for our son and one on one education with our son. We recently attended a meeting to develop our sons EIP. It was attended by our few members of our ABA therapy team, ourselves, the Princopal, Teacher, SEA and 4 or more Board specialists, consultants etc. The meeting was the worst I have ever attended in my life. The Principal chaired the meeting and suggested that the EIP was already written in her very general terms. The principal further stated that the SEA was not solely for our son, but to help the teacher with the whole class, and even then as to our son only to provide safety and only on a 50% of the time basis as that was all the funding the principal had. The principal further stated that if I had any issue with any of this to support the teachers union and get after the government for increased funding. The Principal then stated that as she had another meeting scheduled 1.5 hrs after ours started that our meeting would have to be reconvened at a later date. When I suggested this was not a great idea and that we could use another room in the school to continue, the Principal said there were no other rooms in the building! We ajourned shortly after with the teacher assigned the role to write up the IEP over the next couple weeks.

Some concerns I have are that the Principal stated that no time frames could be in the IEP as they could not commit to actually accomplishing any of the goals by any certain dates or even within the full kindergarten year.

Another is if the SEA is only for safety and only 50% of time who will ensure A) my son is safe the other 50% of the time he is in the schools care and custody and further if the SEA is only for safety who will deliver the special one on one education that the IEP will propose and that he medically requires? The school board as no one to put in the class, the principal will not allow the SEA to provide it, and the principal will not allow us to provide a member from our team to the class due to her concerns over the teachers union.

As every day counts for my son at this age, I need help in determining exactly what he should have under law and how I can ensure he gets it.

Any experience, ideas are appreciated. P.S. I must stress that both the teacher and SEA are very very interested in my sons education however are restrained by the rules as promulageted by the principal.

[Deleted User]

Attention All:

Re: AUTISM, ABA and SCHOOLS: Weaving It All Together

FEAT of BC is sponsoring a one-day workshop on Lovaas Treatment and the School System November 16th, 2002.

As more children with autism who have received early intervention enter the school system, the need for a multidisciplinary approach increases. The purpose of this workshop is to better prepare all people involved with the child to assist within an inclusive environment using the principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).

Lisa Wincz,B.A., M.A.,Director of Academic and Behavior Consulting Services of New Jersey will be conducting the workshop. Ms. Wincz has over 15 years of experience and designs and monitors behavioral programs for children with autism, PDD and related developmental disorders.

Parents have been asking for such a workshop for some time now, so here is your chance to gain some valuable information to assist your child. We encourage parents to invite teachers, school aides and therapists that work in the classroom to attend.

Seats will fill up quickly so please do not wait until the last minute to sign up or you may be disappointed. The registration form can be downloaded off the FEAT website at http://www.featbc.org under "FEAT EVENTS".

Location: Clayton Heights Secondary School
7003 188 Street, Surrey, B.C. (Cloverdale)
Date: Nov 16, 2002
Time: 9am – 4pm
Fee: $30 / person

You may also call FEAT of BC at 604-534-6956 if you have any questions.

Hope to see you there!!

[Deleted User]

Attention All:

Re: AUTISM, ABA and SCHOOLS: Weaving It All Together

FEAT of BC is sponsoring a one-day workshop on Lovaas Treatment and the School System November 16th, 2002.

As more children with autism who have received early intervention enter the school system, the need for a multidisciplinary approach increases. The purpose of this workshop is to better prepare all people involved with the child to assist within an inclusive environment using the principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).

Lisa Wincz,B.A., M.A.,Director of Academic and Behavior Consulting Services of New Jersey will be conducting the workshop. Ms. Wincz has over 15 years of experience and designs and monitors behavioral programs for children with autism, PDD and related developmental disorders.

Parents have been asking for such a workshop for some time now, so here is your chance to gain some valuable information to assist your child. We encourage parents to invite teachers, school aides and therapists that work in the classroom to attend.

Seats will fill up quickly so please do not wait until the last minute to sign up or you may be disappointed. The registration form can be downloaded off the FEAT website at http://www.featbc.org under "FEAT EVENTS".

Location: Clayton Heights Secondary School
7003 188 Street, Surrey, B.C. (Cloverdale)
Date: Nov 16, 2002
Time: 9am – 4pm
Fee: $30 / person

Hope to see you there!!

[Deleted User]

"5) What has been the BC teachers postion now that government must fund ABA for all? Will they blanket permit our ABA therapists in the classes."

It's time that the school system realize that if they allow ABA in the schools less behavioral issues would happen and it is the only medically neccessary treatment. No matter how normal little Johnny or little Janey physically appear, it's the behaviour that needs the treatment ASAP.

[Nancy Walton]

Last Call for School Stories:

If you are doing a home based ABA program and you are having or had difficulties getting the school aide to continue your child's ABA program at the school please take this opportunity to write down your story. Also, if you were unable to get an ABA trained aide, or if you finally got your aide trained, only to have them bumped by a more senior aide.

Jean and I will be presenting these stories to the Ministry of Education. We have about 10 stories so far, but I know there are more out there. This is an excellent opportunity to have your voice heard.

I feel your story can be more powerful with your name on it, but please feel free to send in a story anonomously or with just your e-mail attatched to it.

Jean and I need your stories by Monday October 28.
It's time to let the Ministry know what is going on and what we need for our children.

Nancy Walton
wiklo@shaw.ca
604-538-8021
(I can recieve a fax at this phone number if you call and let me know first)

[FEAT BC Admin]

Autism, ABA and Schools: Weaving It All Together
a one day workshop on behavioural treatment of young children with autism

Families for Early Autism Treatment of British Columbia (F.E.A.T. of B.C.) is sponsoring a one-day workshop on Lovaas Treament and the School System. As more children with autism who have received early intervention enter the school system, the need for a multidisciplinary approach increases. The purpose of this workshop is to better prepare all people involved with the child to assist within an inclusive environment using the principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).

Who can benefit from this workshop:

– Parents of children with autism
– Special education assistants
– Classroom teachers
– Integration support teachers and school resource specialists
– Speech & language pathologists
– ABA therapists/behavioral interventionists
– Consultants
– Graduate students in regular and special education, and students in the Teachers Education Program
– Other professionals and paraprofessionals who work with children with autism

About the Lecturer…
Lisa Wincz, B.A., M.A.
Director of Academic and Behavior Consulting Services (ABCS) of New Jersey Ms. Wincz is a consultant in the behavioural treatment of autism. She has over 15 years of experience and designs and monitors behavioral programs for children with autism, PDD and related developmental disorders. Lisa, who has her Masters Degree in Behavioral Psychology, has travelled extensively throughout the Unites States, Canada, Europe and Asia providing consultation services to children with autism. Ms. Wincz has set up behavioural programs for several families in British Columbia and is now working with F.E.A.T. of B.C. to improve effective, early autism treatment of young children with autism.

Location: Clayton Heights Secondary School (in the theatre) 7003 188 Street, Surrey, B.C. (Cloverdale)

– Workshop Date: Saturday, November 16th, 2002
– Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
– Registration: please mail the registration form with payment to F.E.A.T. of B.C.
Click here to download registration form:
https://featbc.org/downloads/wincz_workshop_2002.pdf
– Cost: $30 per person, cheques payable to F.E.A.T. of B.C.

The Early Autism Intervention Workshop is sponsored by Families for Early Autism Treatment of British Columbia (F.E.A.T. OF B.C.).

Refreshments generously donated by H.Y. Louie
Group of Companies (IGA Marketplace & London
Drugs).

[Deleted User]

Hi Everyone,

I think it is important that we develop a list of questions to ask our school board candidates at the All Candidates meetings. Can we start a thread on this? Sabrina, any advice from you as well as from other parents and professionals would be great.

Thanks,
Cheryl
Mom to Allie and Angel

[Deleted User]

Homeschooling information as it looks like we are going to have to homeschool. Please e-mail me on how to do it. Thanks, tyberbay@hotmail.com

[Author]

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