[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hi Again Busy Featers,

I posted last week about needing some advice on how to begin to approach the concepts of "personal space/strangers/safety" with my 4 year old daughter, and I still need help.

Three issues need to be addressed:

#1-
The concept of "strangers" and body safety, privacy, etc…
Along with how to yell or ask for help.

#2-
How to get someone's attention.
My daughter is pointing quite near to faces, and is grabbing at strangers' clothing from behind. She needs to learn to use her voice, keep a fair distance away, and also to get within someone's eyesight before or while she is speaking.

#3
Street Safety
I fear that if I were not with her, she would NOT stop at a curb,
and at this point she is getting really good at NOT listening to my requests.

What kind of books, social stories, videos, or strategies have you used to move your child through this phase?

Any input would be great.
If you wanna e-mail instead of post, I'm at: scissorhappy@shaw.ca

Thanks SO Much,
Cathy

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hi Again Busy Featers,

I posted last week about needing some advice on how to begin to approach the concepts of "personal space/strangers/safety" with my 4 year old daughter, and I still need help.

Three issues need to be addressed:

#1-
The concept of "strangers" and body safety, privacy, etc…
Along with how to yell or ask for help.

#2-
How to get someone's attention.
My daughter is pointing quite near to faces, and is grabbing at strangers' clothing from behind. She needs to learn to use her voice, keep a fair distance away, and also to get within someone's eyesight before or while she is speaking.

#3
Street Safety
I fear that if I were not with her, she would NOT stop at a curb,
and at this point she is getting really good at NOT listening to my requests.

What kind of books, social stories, videos, or strategies have you used to move your child through this phase?

Any input would be great.
If you wanna e-mail instead of post, I'm at: scissorhappy@shaw.ca

Thanks SO Much,
Cathy

[Colleen]

Today in the Globe and Mail, front page, the cost to treat ADVANCED cases of colorectal cancer "costs about $56,000 for a standard course of therapy. At the same time, the Ontario government is spending millions for cancer patients to receive Erbitux in US hospitals, where the drug commands one of the highest prices in the world."
It goes on to say, "Ontario's Health Ministry approved 34 of 38 cancer patients who applied to have Erbitux administered to them out of country in the 2005-06 fiscal year at a cost of $3.6 million"…"While Ebitrux has NOT YET BEEN PROVEN to extend the lives of colorectal cancer patients.. "

There is no guarantee that the therapy will work for these people. Why are these people more deserving of UNPROVEN therapy/treatment than providing PROVEN therapy/treatment for our kids?

[Deleted User]

Hi Everyone:

My 13-year-old daughter, Kaelynn, entered an essay contest. We were notified today that she has won First Place. There is an awards ceremony in Douglas Park on September 30, 3006 where she receives her award. I am posting the essay for you all to read. If the politicians could see through the eyes of this teenager life would be better for so many.

Everybody Belongs:
The Heart of the Boy
“LEAVE ME ALONE! GEEZ YOU’RE SO STUPID!” This is just one of many MINOR melt-downs that Christian may experience. Confused? Let me rewind. This essay is about a day in the life of my little brother Christian. Christian has Aspergers Syndrome which is just another way of saying he is mildly autistic. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that effects how Christian, and other children like him, learn and relate to others. The best thing someone with this disorder can do is learn how to cope with it, and learn how to control their behavior and their thought process. People with this disorder don’t learn the same as other people, so they must find another way. Because of his disability, Christian has a hard time making friends. Some people view him as different because of his melt-downs. Melt-downs are his way of expressing his frustration. This saddens me, because people don’t accept him as easily as they should, and their only reason is because he’s different. This isn’t to say that he doesn’t have ANY friends. He has a few, and he treasures them like precious gems. Chris loves his family more than anything, because he feels safe and secure with us. At school, Christian has many teachers and Teacher Assistants who help him to learn. One T.A immediately comes to mind. Her name is Mrs.Kempf, and she has worked wonders with helping Chris. She has built a strong structure for Christian to lean on, and to learn from. The one thing that brings a huge smile to my face immediately is seeing Mrs.Kempf and Christian together, because no matter how many melt-downs he may have in one day, and no matter how major they are, she never loses sight of the heart of the boy. Mrs.Kempf has helped Christian in ways my family never thought possible.

Christian is an amazing child with wonderful gifts and blessings to offer the world. If the world wasn’t so judgmental, and would take the time to get to know him, they would learn of these gifts, because they would have seen the heart of the boy. We all have to live in this world, and Everybody, including my little brother Christian, Belongs.

I Love You Christian!
Written by Kaelynn Durnan, Uplands Elementary
wendy-durnan@shaw.ca

[Deleted User]

Hi Everyone:

My 13-year-old daughter, Kaelynn, entered an essay contest. We were notified today that she has won First Place. There is an awards ceremony in Douglas Park on September 30, 3006 where she receives her award. I am posting the essay for you all to read. If the politicians could see through the eyes of this teenager life would be better for so many.

Everybody Belongs:
The Heart of the Boy
“LEAVE ME ALONE! GEEZ YOU’RE SO STUPID!” This is just one of many MINOR melt-downs that Christian may experience. Confused? Let me rewind. This essay is about a day in the life of my little brother Christian. Christian has Aspergers Syndrome which is just another way of saying he is mildly autistic. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that effects how Christian, and other children like him, learn and relate to others. The best thing someone with this disorder can do is learn how to cope with it, and learn how to control their behavior and their thought process. People with this disorder don’t learn the same as other people, so they must find another way. Because of his disability, Christian has a hard time making friends. Some people view him as different because of his melt-downs. Melt-downs are his way of expressing his frustration. This saddens me, because people don’t accept him as easily as they should, and their only reason is because he’s different. This isn’t to say that he doesn’t have ANY friends. He has a few, and he treasures them like precious gems. Chris loves his family more than anything, because he feels safe and secure with us. At school, Christian has many teachers and Teacher Assistants who help him to learn. One T.A immediately comes to mind. Her name is Mrs.Kempf, and she has worked wonders with helping Chris. She has built a strong structure for Christian to lean on, and to learn from. The one thing that brings a huge smile to my face immediately is seeing Mrs.Kempf and Christian together, because no matter how many melt-downs he may have in one day, and no matter how major they are, she never loses sight of the heart of the boy. Mrs.Kempf has helped Christian in ways my family never thought possible.

Christian is an amazing child with wonderful gifts and blessings to offer the world. If the world wasn’t so judgmental, and would take the time to get to know him, they would learn of these gifts, because they would have seen the heart of the boy. We all have to live in this world, and Everybody, including my little brother Christian, Belongs.

I Love You Christian!
Written by Kaelynn Durnan, Uplands Elementary
wendy-durnan@shaw.ca

[Sabrina Freeman]

I'd like to add to Barbara's post that Dr. Gina Green is a BIG name in the world of Intensive Behavioural Treatment and has contributed greatly to this field. In fact, she co-authored the famous book "Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism" with Catherine Maurice and Stephen Luce. The location for this workshop is definitely worth attending (and very centrally located). For parents of newly diagnosed children, this workshop is definitely worth attending since Dr. Green will be discussing evaluating claims for autism treatments. In addition, any parent who is contemplating (or is already doing) Verbal Behavior, Dr. Green's talk will be very useful.

Enjoy!

Sabrina

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Just a reminder of the Gina Workshop this Friday. Registration is still available at the door. Please remember Arbutus Coast was the first group to actually bring up to BC these leaders in the field – including Dr. Richard Foxx, Dr. Bobby Newman and Dr. Bridget Taylor so if you get a chance – this is a not to be missed workshop.
(Please note the venue is at UBC Robson Square – not the usual UBC itself)

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.,

Proudly Presents….

Dr. Gina Green

University of British Columbia at Robson Square

800 Robson Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Friday, 16 June, 2006

Dr. Gina Green

Dr. Green will presenting four talks related to Autism Spectrum Disorders. At the conclusion of each talk Dr. Green will open the opportunity for questions and discussion from participants.

Presentation Topics

1. Evaluating claims about treatment for Autism.

2. ABA for Autism: It’s Not What You May Think!

3. Does Behavior Intervention for Autism Change the Brain?

4. “Verbal Behavior” and Autism: A Review and Call for Research.

This workshop presentation will be a great opportunity to hear, learn, and speak with one of the foremost scientists in the fields of autism research and clinical practice

Dr. Gina Green

Gina Green received a PhD in Psychology (Analysis of Behavior) from Utah State University in 1986 following undergraduate and master’s degree studies at Michigan State University. She has been a faculty member in Behavior Analysis and Therapy at Southern Illinois University; Director of Research at the New England Center for Children in Southborough, Massachusetts; Associate Scientist at the E.K. Shriver Center for Mental Retardation in Waltham, Massachusetts; and Research Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Green is currently in private practice in San Diego as a consultant and is on the faculty at San Diego State University and the University of North Texas. She has authored numerous publications on the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injuries, as well as the experimental analysis of behavior. Dr. Green co-edited the books Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism and Making a Difference: Behavioral Intervention for Autism. She serves or has served on the editorial boards of several professional journals in developmental disabilities and behavior analysis. Dr. Green also serves on the Board of Trustees and the Autism Advisory Group of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, the Board of Directors of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the Board of Directors of the California Association for Behavior Analysis, and the advisory boards of several autism programs and organizations. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, former president of the Association for Behavior Analysis, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Council for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health. Psychology Today named her “Mental Health Professional of the Year” in 2000. Dr. Green lectures and consults widely on autism and related disorders, behavioral research, and effective interventions for people with disabilities.

Dr. Gina Green

9 a.m.—4 p.m. Friday, 16 June, 2006

University of British Columbia, Robson Square

800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hey Everyone,

My daughter is just turning four and we need to begin addressing the concept of strangers, physical boundaries and safety.

She is very drawn to adults, and although she has occasional shyness, I know it's time to face these issues.

What kind of books or strategies have you all used to move your child through this phase?

I am also concerned about street safety as I fear that if I were not with her, she would NOT stop at a curb, and also, that she does not yet know how to ask for help in a strong manner.

I know that every parent has to arrive at this point, but I also know that my daughter will need a special approach to all this.

Any input would be great.
If you wanna e-mail instead of post, I'm at: scissorhappy@shaw.ca

Thanks SO Much,
Cathy

[David and Barbara McLeod]

Hello FEAT friends,

RE: The Autism Conference that Sabrina just posted.

It has come to my attention that some of the school districts do not send out all of the conference information that is forwarded to them. We really want to reach as many folks as possible – having such high caliber presenters so close to home doesn't happen often.

I am hoping that you will make a copy of the brochure and take it to your Director of Special Ed in person and ask them to forward it to all of the schools in your district. A copy to your school administrator / teacher / TA would be great as well. Perhaps the district will pay for your teacher and/or TA to attend!

If you are in discussions with your district about how important it is to match your home and school programs, delivered by a trained TA, why not talk to your district folk about heading over to hear the information first hand.

Please spread the word!

[Sabrina Freeman]

To All FEATBC Chat Board members:

Re: A Very Worthwhile Conference in BC

Very rarely are we privileged to have high quality academics in the field of autism come to B.C. This summer is an exception.

The conference will take place at Malaspina University College in Nanaimo in August. We are very fortunate to have Dr. James Mulick from Ohio State University and Columbus Children’s Hospital as our main speaker. Dr. Mulick, a pediatric psychologist, renown in the Applied Behaviour Analysis field, was a contributor to the Auton case. He also authored the first published Cost/Benefit Analysis that demonstrated the savings achieved by offering Intensive Behavioural Treatment. In addition, Dr. Villone, a Behavioural Consultant for Melmark in Pennsylvania (a world class ABA facility) will also be speaking. For those of you who are interested in how well ABA can be integrated into a school setting, her lecture will be illuminating.

The web site for the conference details is

http://web.mala.bc.ca/education/autism/autism_conference.htm

Please send the link to your consultants, schools, pediatricians, social workers and anyone else you can think of. We need more people who work in the system exposed to high quality ABA in B.C., and here is our chance.

Here are the details on the lectures:

Autism Conference
August 21 -23, 2006

August 21, 9:00 – 1:30
The Scientific Basis for Effective Autism Treatment by Dr. James Mulick

The treatment of autism is related to its characteristics, developmental etiology and basic neuro-developmental processes. Recent research demonstrates that appropriate remediation can sometimes be effective enough for children to learn from typical environments and classrooms after intensive early intervention. In this session, Dr. Mulick will discuss how the observed characteristics associated with autistic syndrome inform effective practice.

August 22, 9:00 – 1:30
Controversial Therapies In Autism Treatment
Dr. James Mulick
How do parents and professionals know what is best practice in autism treatment? How do we distinguish between fad, fashion and science in professional practice? Dr. Mulick will discuss controversial therapies in autism treatment, characteristics of these therapies that make them controversial and ways to make informed decisions when choosing treatments for the children in your care.

August 23, 9:00 – 1:30
Applied Behaviour Analysis in the School Setting
Dr. Kristen Villone
Dr. Villone will discuss what applied behaviour analysis looks like in the school setting, optimal ways to integrate home and school programs for the benefit of the child and how to build a positive relationship between outside experts and school professionals.

Very reasonable rates are also available for rooms in residences on the campus itself. Details are also available at the above web link.

Spread the word. Get your teachers, consultants, and therapists to register for this very worthwhile event.

Once again, this is a rare opportunity that is worth the drive!

Sincerely,

Sabrina Freeman, Ph.D.
Executive Director,
FEAT BC

[Author]

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