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[Super Dad]

TONIGHT

Autism Society of BC

North Shore Monthly Lecture Series

Part 2 of the two-part series on
Legal Documents

with
Mary Hamilton
Emma Ferguson
DLA Piper LLP

at
7:00pm, Wednesday April 20

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

GUEST SPEAKERS:

The speakers are two of the best-known trusts and estates lawyers in Canada:
Mary Hamilton: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/canada/people/h/hamilton-mary
Emma Ferguson: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/canada/people/f/ferguson-emma

TOPIC:

The topics for tonight are:

* Adult guardianship in BC (financial decisions, health care decisions, personal decisions, Temporary substitute decision-makers)
* Powers of Attorney
* Representation Agreements (s. 9 for health and personal care, s. 7 for management of routine financial matters and health care)
* Advance Directives
* Living Wills/Other Wishes

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.

Please RSVP to <northshore@autismbc.ca>

[Stella Li]

Autism Society of British Columbia

The ASBC Burnaby Community Support Group proudly presents:

Sexual Health and Autism
by Nate Searle, M.Sc. BCBA, Behavior Analyst, ABLE Developmental Clinic

Date: Friday April 29, 2016
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Place: Studio, #301 – 3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby BC

Park on the side street or back street, if you can’t find parking on Hastings.
Walk from north side on Hastings from Boundary towards east, past a mail box and a bus stop, look towards the building (Enterprise Centre), walk up a few steps to see a long flight of stairs at your left, walk up the stairs from G/F directly to 3/F (if you see 2/F it’s the wrong staircase). Suite #301 is at your left.

Topic:
Sexual health for individuals with autism
Sexuality is an important area where every individual deserves appropriate and equal education that covers the lifespan. Our students with autism have the potential to become the victims or could be accused as perpetrators. How do we protect them? Our students could also meet their own potential and live a safe and healthy life. Where is the balance and how do we start? This presentation will introduce important topics and areas related to sexuality for consideration to support individuals with autism. What are the skills required to increase safety, health and independence? We will consider methods for teaching sexual health based on ability and skills. Bring your questions!

Speaker:
Nate Searle, M.Sc. BCBA, Behavior Analyst, ABLE Developmental Clinic
Nate Searle is a behavior consultant who is also a certified senior instructor with the Crisis Prevention Institute and has been teaching Non Violent Crisis Intervention since 2006. Nate has 16 years of hands on experience, and has worked with a variety of students who are vocal and non-vocal; beginning, intermediate and advanced learners; and children with various difficult behaviour profiles. Nate is adept at analyzing behaviour, putting effective interventions into place and bringing about appropriate changes in behaviour. He has worked in various cities and towns across British Columbia and the Yukon. Throughout his career Nate has worked in home based, school and residential settings providing treatment, training and interventions to many students. He has had the opportunity to work with more than 50 students of varying ages, and with varying diagnoses. Nate has worked under a dozen different analysts and consultants, including several world-renowned analysts Dr. Richard Foxx and Dr. Michael Cataldo.

Coffee/tea & refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca ASAP.

[Anonymous]

ASBC's Behaviour Interventionist Basics Training Workshop – Coquitlam!

When: April 9th & 10th from 9:30AM-4:30PM

The course provides foundational training for individuals interested in working with a home-based Behaviour 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 behaviour autism treatments is run by highly experienced behaviour 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.

Register for the BI Basics Training Workshop – Coquitlam here!
https://autismbc.z2systems.com/np/clients/autismbc/eventRegistration.jsp?event=58

$80 for ASBC Members $100 for non-members
(Members please login to your ASBC membership account to receive your discount. Discount will be applied at the end of the registration process).

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 Ahla Pearse by phone at 1-888-437-0880.

[Dione Costanzo]

Autism Support Network South Surrey Neighborhood Network Meeting

Date: Thursday, March 31st
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Sources Community Resource Centre, White Rock
Topic: Parent Support

Had enough of spring break? Parents from all areas are welcome to join this open meeting as an opportunity to network and meet other parents. Bring your questions or issues for discussion.

This is an open meeting RSVP not required.

This is an excellent opportunity for new(er) parents to come with questions and to network with other parents. Please forward this to anyone you know who might need support!

THANK YOU!

Are you looking for support, information or want to connect with other parents? Follow us!
https://www.facebook.com/austismsupportbc and Twitter @autismsupportbc
and on our online calendar on our website – http://autismsupportbc.ca

[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone,

For years we have been lobbying/begging/fundraising to have Autism treatment covered under Medicare. The lack of treatment funding has been an incredible financial burden for many, and has even bankrupted some families, thereby making this truly a two-tiered system, with access to treatment only available to those lucky enough to be able to provide it.

We have an opportunity to change this!

The following resolution, calling on the Federal Government to make ABA treatment universally accessible and covered under Medicare, was developed in collaboration with Medicare for Autism Now! Society and the South Surrey White Rock federal Liberal riding executive.
Thanks to Paula Williams, the organizational Chair, and her riding colleagues! They presented this resolution at the Liberal Party of Canada’s BC Policy convention in Victoria. 600 delegates voted on 69 resolutions with our resolution receiving the SECOND highest votes! This moves it to the Liberal Party’s National Convention, in Winnipeg, at the end of May!
Never before has Autism treatment been on a policy agenda of ANY federal political party, let alone the governing party!
What can you do??

• Contact your federal liberal riding association’s president and policy chairperson (each riding has their own website. Google your riding plus “liberal.ca”
• Send them a copy of the resolution and ask them to instruct their delegates, going to the Winnipeg convention, to support it.
• If you live in a Liberal held riding, contact your MP and ask that they do the same.
• Forward/email the resolution to your friends, family, colleagues across Canada and ask if they will also contact their Liberal riding associations and MPs.
• Email mfanow@gmail.com and let them know who has been contacted.

The Resolution follows (you can cut and paste from this Chat or it will also be available, with Frequently asked Questions about Autism and ABA, on the MFAN website):

S3 – Medicare Coverage for the treatment of Autism

WHEREAS the rate of autism spectrum disorder (“ASD”) among Canadian children is now a shocking 1 in 68, constituting a national epidemic and, for reasons unknown, continues to rise;

WHEREAS Canada’s “universal” health care system currently excludes from coverage the recognized, effective, science-based treatment for ASD called Applied Behavioural Analysis (“ABA”), despite the deplorable incidence of this neurological condition and advocacy from numerous citizen groups;

WHEREAS the BC Supreme Court, in 2000, found that ABA was “medically necessary treatment” and that “there were no effective competing therapies”, a decision which was upheld on appeal by the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada;

WHEREAS funding in Canada respecting ABA for ASD currently is not only grossly insufficient, it varies widely between provinces;

WHEREAS the lifetime cost of an individual receiving inadequate treatment (or none) for ASD is reliably estimated between $2.4 – $3.2 million, excluding indirect costs to society; and

WHEREAS the US Government requires all states to provide treatment for ASD as part of state-wide Medicaid programs and 43 out of 50 states require private health insurers to provide coverage for ASD treatment;

BE IT RESOLVED the Canada Health Act be amended to include Medicare coverage for ABA for ASD or, alternatively, the Government of Canada work with all provincial and territorial governments to ensure inclusion of ABA for ASD within their respective Medical Services Plans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Government of Canada provide funding to each province and territory to fully cover the costs associated with the provision of ABA treatment of ASD.

South Surrey-White Rock

[Super Dad]

Autism Society of BC

North Shore Monthly Lecture Series
Special Presentation

Free Lectures for Parents
by a recipient of the
Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Award

A two-part series on
Legal Documents to Protect Your Child’s Future
Your Will, Representation Agreement, Power of Attorney, and Other Important Items

with
Mary Hamilton
Emma Ferguson
DLA Piper LLP

at
7:00pm, Wednesday March 16
7:00pm, Wednesday April 20

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

GUEST SPEAKERS:

The speakers are two of the best-known trusts and estates lawyers in Canada:

Mary Hamilton: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/canada/people/h/hamilton-mary
Emma Ferguson: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/canada/people/f/ferguson-emma

TOPIC:

The two evenings will cover important documents such as:

* Will
* Living Will
* Nomination of Committee
* Representation Agreement
* Enduring Power of Attorney
* Insurance Declaration or RRSP Designation

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.

Please RSVP to <northshore@autismbc.ca>

[Stella Li]

REMINDER:

The ASBC Burnaby Community Support Group proudly presents:

Social Thinking, ABA & Social Groups

Date: Friday March 11, 2016
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Place: Studio, #301 – 3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby BC

Topic:

Social Communication Groups – what’s involved and how ABA and social groups go together
Why Social Group?
A Speech & Language Pathologist and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst will discuss the benefits of social groups for kids on the autism spectrum. Together they will cover the basics of social thinking, group formats and goals, and how ABA and social groups complement each other.

Speakers:

Jenny Gorton-Sojat is a speech-language pathologist who works primarily with children and teenagers to foster social success at home and at school. Before moving to Vancouver, Jenny worked at the Center for Social Thinking under the direct supervision of Michelle Garcia-Winner (the founder of Social Thinking). Jenny spoke at the 2014 Social Thinking Provider’s Conferences in San Jose, CA and in Richmond, BC about strategies she has developed. During the school year, she runs Social Thinking groups in West Vancouver and in Surrey, consults to schools and school districts, and volunteers on the Canucks Autism Network Program Committee. She believes that kids learn best when they are having fun!

Crystal Clark MA,BCBA
Crystal works as a social skills therapist under the supervision of Jenny Sojat. Crystal completed her M.A. in Autism Studies through the University of Kent in Canterbury in 2012 under the supervision of one of the UK’s leaders in social skills research, Julie Beadle-Brown. Her thesis focused on social skills therapies in educational environments, examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and treatment packages. Most recently, in spring 2013, Crystal completed her BCBA certification with coursework from Pennsylvania State University and supervision under ABLE Clinic’s Katie Allen. Crystal has gained experience and training in Social Thinking groups under Jenny Sojat and Kathryn Theroux and has participated as a camp leader in their Summer Social Summer camp since 2010 and as a camp supervisor for them in 2014 and 2015.

Coffee/Tea & Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca ASAP.

[Sabrina Freeman]

Hello everyone,

I am posting the following message on behalf of the ASBC.

*******************************************************************

The Autism Society of B.C. is reaching out to announce the creation of an exciting tool we have just launched. We think it will forever change the autism landscape in BC and make things easier, particularly for those living in rural or remote regions of British Columbia. We're hoping you can distribute the information to your staff and those you support who you think may benefit.

The full ASBC Press Release can be read from this link: https://featbc.org/downloads/ASBC_Release_02_26_16.pdf (or http://tinyurl.com/h7j4jml).

Here's why we think this new program is a game-changer: The ASBC Talent Bank is an online tool designed to help Parents and Behavioural Interventionists find each other, wherever they live, province-wide.

As a Behavioural Interventionist, it allows you to list and edit your availability, your locations served, and your favorite areas of expertise. You can personalize it by adding a picture of yourself and link to your professional LinkedIn profile.

As a Parent, this tool lets you easily contact Behavioural Interventionists who are looking for work and may be a good fit for your child's team. You can also endorse the skills of interventionists who have worked for you.

ASBC Talent Bank.com is an exciting new online tool for Autism Society of British Columbia members, and ASBC Membership is free until March 31, 2016.

Find great people! Gain employment in the field of autism treatment where you live. More information is available at https://asbctalentbank.com/

Questions? Please send to: info@asbctalentbank.com

[Stella Li]

Hi Everyone,

We all know our kids on the autism spectrum have deficits in the social skills area. Do you think your child may benefit from attending Social Skills Groups but don’t know what to expect or where to start? Are you wondering how ABA and social groups can go together? In our upcoming ASBC Burnaby Support Group meeting, we will explore this topic with Jenny Gorton-Sojat, SLP and Crystal Clark, MA, BCBA of the ABLE Developmental Clinic.

The ASBC Burnaby Community Support Group proudly presents:
Social Thinking, ABA & Social Groups

Date: Friday March 11, 2016
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Place: Studio, #301 – 3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby BC

Topic:
Social Communication Groups – what’s involved and how ABA and social groups go together
Why Social Group?
A Speech & Language Pathologist and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst will discuss the benefits of social groups for kids on the autism spectrum. Together they will cover the basics of social thinking, group formats and goals, and how ABA and social groups compliment each other.

Speakers:
Jenny Gorton-Sojat is a speech-language pathologist who works primarily with children and teenagers to foster social success at home and at school. Before moving to Vancouver, Jenny worked at the Center for Social Thinking under the direct supervision of Michelle Garcia-Winner (the founder of Social Thinking). Jenny spoke at the 2014 Social Thinking Provider’s Conferences in San Jose, CA and in Richmond, BC about strategies she has developed. During the school year, she runs Social Thinking groups in West Vancouver and in Surrey, consults to schools and school districts, and volunteers on the Canucks Autism Network Program Committee. She believes that kids learn best when they are having fun!

Crystal Clark MA,BCBA
Crystal works as a social skills therapist under the supervision of Jenny Sojat. Crystal completed her M.A. in Autism Studies through the University of Kent in Canterbury in 2012 under the supervision of one of the UK’s leaders in social skills research, Julie Beadle-Brown. Her thesis focused on social skills therapies in educational environments, examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and treatment packages. Most recently, in spring 2013, Crystal completed her BCBA certification with coursework from Pennsylvania State University and supervision under ABLE Clinic’s Katie Allen. Crystal has gained experience and training in Social Thinking groups under Jenny Sojat and Kathryn Theroux and has participated as a camp leader in their Summer Social Summer camp since 2010 and as a camp supervisor for them in 2014 and 2015.

Coffee/Tea & Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca ASAP.

[Bev Sharpe]

Hi everyone, the latest edition of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment publication is here!

This free publication is a must-read for parents, friends and family of all who are navigating treatment options for a child.

When it comes to selecting ASD treatments for your family member, knowledge is power.

This publication will give you information about the research behind many of the common treatments for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Some treatments are backed by strong scientific evidence, but others have little or no research support. ASAT's goal is to provide you with a resource to assist you when making treatment decisions or when confronted with new treatment options.

This publication is free and available on line at:

http://www.asatonline.org/siat-winter-2016/

[Author]

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