[FEAT BC Admin]

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[Mike & Jean]

GREAT NEWS!!!!

We are delighted to announce the much anticipated book,"The Complete Guide to Autism Treatments – A parent's handbook: make sure your child gets what works!" is now available for sale. The author is FEAT of BC founder, Sabrina Freeman, Ph.D.

Prior to making decisions about treatment, this book is an absolute must for every parent with a newly diagnosed child.

The book was inspired by parents of children afflicted with autism. After speaking with several thousands of parents about various treatments and answering similar qustions over and over again, Dr. Freeman realized that parents need a clear way – a guide – to help make appropriate treatment decisions for their child. To that end, Dr. Freeman gives her scientific evaluation of most of the major and minor autism treatments available today, and then personalized the analysis by telling reader whether or not she would use the treatment on her own child. In other words, at the end of the day, how did she apply her understanding of the science to her own child? With this book, it is Dr. Freeman's sincere hope that everyone will be able to evaluate all the current and future autism treatments available. It is cucial to be able to ask the right questions and find the flaws in the science behind every purported treatment, or to find the eveidence, where it exists, that the treatment is effective. At a minimum, understanding the scientific method will protect thousands of children from quackery and, hopefully, provide parents and professionals with the tools to discern those treatments that are effective for children afflicted with autism.

Section One of the book, scrutinizes the range of treatment options offered to parents of children with autism and uses the tools of the scientific method to evaluate each treatment method so that parents can make sure that the treatment they have chosen for their child stands up to the claims made by the treatment provider. Some of the therapies discussed include but are not limited to: Behavioral Therapies – ABA, Intensive Behavioral Treatment, and the offshoots and distinctions of Intensive Behavioral Therapies such as Positive Behavior Support and Verbal Behavior Therapy.
School-based (non-behavioral) therapies such as TEACCH and Giant Steps. Child-lead/Parent facilitated therapies such as Floor-Time, Relationship Development (RDI) are covered. Biomedical Therapies such as Diet/Nutrition (Gluten and Casein-free Diets), Secretin and Vitamain B6 and Magnesium are discussed. Speech and Language Therapies such as the Hanen Method and the SCERTS Model are also discussed. And finally – art therapy, music therapy, sensory integraton therapy…and yes, Dolphin-assisted therapy and many more are all thoroughly reviewed. Section Two of the book is designed to provide a background in science for parents or professionals who are newcomers to the scientific method. The book can be used as a reference gride, flipping quickly to a specific theatment of interest, or it can be read as a comprehensive gide to every autism treatment advertised in the marketplace.

Until Monday, February 25th, the book can be ordered by calling the FEAT of BC office number: 604-534-6956. After February 25th. it can be ordered on-line at skfbooks.com The cost is $29.95 plus tax.

For those of you who don't know author,Sabrina Freeman…she received her doctorate from Stanford University in 1995. She is a social scientist and author of the popular books, Teach Me Language and Science for Sale in the Autism Wars. She founded FEAT of BC in 1996 and has tirelessly advocated for the rights of children with autism to science-based treatment It is due her vision, dedication and tireless work that BC families now have access to both funding and effective autism treatment. In 2002, she was awarded Queen Elizabeth's 50th Golden Jublilee Medal for advocacy work on behalf of children aflicted with autism.

In this book, Sabrina once again delivers what parents so desperately need – sound advice and practical answers which are clearly explained. As in all her work – she tells the truth.

Speaking for myself and others, families in BC and Canada owe Sabrina Freeman a debt which can never be re-paid. Once again Sabrina, thank you so very much!

[Heather Burke]

LOOKING FOR THERAPISTS FOR BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY TEAM – NEW WESTMINSTER

We are looking for one or two therapists to join our energetic team and work with our son, William. He is a very funny and social little boy who is bright, verbal, and learns very fast. He is a little over four years old and has high functioning autism. He is a very happy child who loves imaginative play.

Our consultant, Michele Shilvock, is local and been working with us since our son was diagnosed in August 2007 and has developed a strong therapy team. We have seen tremendous gains! She will provide ongoing supervision and training, so this would be a great opportunity for applicants who welcome frequent overlaps and opportunities to further develop their skills. The program is in-home behavioral therapy and is based on the Lovaas method of positive reinforcement.

Applicants with early child education or ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) experience are preferred but we WILL also consider well motivated and inexperienced applicants as well. We have four shifts available: Tues afternoon, Wednesday morning, Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning for three hour shifts.

You must be dependable and willing to commit to one year at least and be able to attend biweekly team meetings on Tuesdays 8:30 to 9:30 am starting March 4th.

Wage will be based upon skill level and experience.

If you are responsible, energetic, creative, and motivated, we would like to hear from you. For more information please call: (604) 527-8105 or e-mail us at: hburke@telus.net

[Luke’s mama]

Dear parents,
Please advise your experience with dental surgery with Monarch Pediatric Dental and Pediatric Dental Group.

Any experience with these facilities would be appreciated. Hope to hear more about surgery for our little one. Thx.

Luke's mom

[Danielle Eeuwes]

Families or therapists who work with Michele Fagan:

I just spoke with Michele and her email address has been hacked into and she can no longer access her email. She has set up a new email account michelelfagan@gmail.com if you need to contact her.

The individual who hacked in is trying to have her contacts sent money to London indicating she is stuck in London and requires help. Please do not send any money to London. Michele is safe in Jersey.

She has requested that you email her so that she can save your contact information. Please pass this message onto anyone who normally contacts Michele.

Thanks,
Danielle

[Norm Tailless]

Girl's writings opening new window on autism

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080217/favaro_carly_080217/20080217?hub=Canada

[Louise Taylor]

“Medicare for Autism Now!” Rally

Another reminder to attend this very important event!

We are also pleased to announce that Stephan Marinoiu will be speaking via pre-recorded video. He is the father of a 15 year old boy with autism who became so desparate and frustrated that he walked in blizzard-like conditions earlier this month from Toronto to Ottawa to gain the attention of our parliamentarians.

Also speaking at the rally via pre-recorded video will be Harold Doherty from New Brunswick. He is the father of a 9 year old boy who has autism, an advocate and lawyer. He authors daily in his blog, "Facing Autsim in New Brunswick"

Bring your children, family, neighbours, friends etc. on:

Sunday, March 2nd, 2008
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
6450 Deer Lake Avenue
Burnaby

Why should you attend?

• Despite a decade of lobbying, collaborating and litigating – autism treatment is still excluded from our universal health care system. Canadian families are still bankrupting themselves in order to provide treatment for their autistic children.

• The current and limited funding provided through the provincial government’s social services ministries could evaporate tomorrow with the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen. No legislation exists within these ministries to protect or enshrine our children’s medically necessary treatment.

• In 30 years of “advocacy”, the only two initiatives which have achieved ANY success for our children and families has been litigation, and more recently, focused political action. Both were brought by the members of FEAT of BC – a 100% volunteer organization.

• Autism is an epidemic of staggering proportions, it now afflicts one in every 150 children in North America, one in every 94 boys. It is time for the Federal Government to act! We need to let those who govern and those who wish to govern know that they are going to be held accountable at the ballot box in the next federal election.

Who should attend?

You – and every fair-minded Canadian you know!

Children with autism suffer from political indifference. It will take the sustained energy and dedication of EVERY CANADIAN who desires a just society to correct this injustice. For our children’s sakes, and the sake of future generations, we urge you to attend this rally. Please bring friends, family, anyone and everyone you know who is appalled by the gross injustice done to our children every day by the governments of Canada and its provinces.

Featured speakers will include:
Dr. Sabrina Freeman – Executive Director, FEAT of BC and parent
Jean Lewis – Director, FEAT of BC and parent
David Chan – Director, Autism Society of BC, FEAT of BC and parent
Dubravka Skrijelj – FEAT of BC member and parent
Dr. Glen Davies – Clinical Director – ABLE Developmental Clinic
Dr. Melvin deLevie – Pediatrician
Beverley Sharpe – FEAT of BC member and parent
Louise Witt – Director, Autism Society of BC, FEAT of BC and parent
David Marley – FEAT of BC member and Political Strategist

Please RSVP to info@featbc.org and forward this notice to anyone you think will be interested.

FEAT of BC: “ To see justice is done”

[Amber Armstrong]

I don't know if this belongs here or not so forgive me.

The CBC did a story on autism on Feb 11, at the end of the article they listed how much each province paid for ABA/IBI treatments, I thought the article was very interesting and sent it to everyone. I went to re-read it today and they have edited it out and it now no longer shows this information. I went into google cache to make sure I wasn't crazy and saw the original article. I just found this extremely odd and thought I would share. I may contact cbc and ask them.

[Jan Nusche]

Louise, you were trying to reach me yesterday.

If you phone my home, you can get my cell# off the message. I'll be answering my cell today.

Jan Nusche

[Ed Hillman]

Hi Everybody,

Aside from the fact that this is my very first post on the discussion board (I finally found the message box!), I am here to let everybody know about "Open Mic for Autism" on behalf of the "Open Mic For Autism" Team.

"Open Mic for Autism" is a compilation album that benefits the FEAT Foundation in BC and it is scheduled for released on Christmas, 2008. The purpose of the album is to promote awareness for the condition of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and to provide resources out there for parents who may have children with autism. 50% of the sales proceeds will go towards FEAT, and the remaining funds will go towards a benefit concert where all ticket sales will go towards helping children with autism. The concert will extend itself into an ongoing open mic event that will allow individuals with disabilities to share their art and personal experiences with the rest of the world.

The official website is located at http://www.openmicautism.com
Please feel free to check out current progress, pictures, updates at
http://www.openmicautism.blogspot.com

For those of you who are facebook fans, we are also on facebook under the same name. Please feel free to join and contribute to the discussions and posts.

Myself and the rest of the team will also attend the rally on March 2nd. Hope to meet all of you there!

Ed.

[David Chan]

Hi all,

Check what corporate America is doing.

We need to learn from this people.

Captains of industry, please take note

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2akb4v2cUQ

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFAF_7nxI1U

Mr. P's Dad

[Author]

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