[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Isaac]

More information has become available relating to the "autism-is-a-misunderstood-culture" thread we had in this forum a few weeks ago (The mother in Richie's world, Times-Colonist, Victoria, Page D01, 13-Mar-2005).

The Ottawa autism list has a post by Andrew Kavchak, about a web site that speaks to the topic:
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In autismsupportOttawa@yahoogroups.com
"It was just brought to my attention that a new website has been created to provide some critical analysis to the arguments propagated by the "Autism is a culture" fringe. If you have ever found their statements somewhat misguided but were confused by the content, this site may provide you with some assistance in putting it in context and perspective."
http://66.221.49.64/dawson/

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[Mike & Jean]

Attention all parents and therapists!!! The next F.E.A.T. of B.C. discussion group meeting is on Monday, April 18th at St. Francis-in-the-wood Anglican Church in West Vancouver.

I am pleased to announce that this is a combined meeting with the North Shore Autism Society parent group.

Our topic this month is: Peer play in school and recreation programs at home. This presentation will overview the "how to's using ABA" with children who are significantly effected. Come out and see what these kids can really do with effective intervention.

Our presenter is Lisa Moody, senior instructor. Lisa is a senior therapist and an aide/therapist in the school system.

See you on Monday,
Jean

[David Chan]

if you missed the interview on NW, just go to their Audio vault, and you can hear the whole thing

Dave

[Nancy Walton]

Forgot to say the time for the South Fraser ASBC meeting Thursday April 14

It's 7pm to 9pm.

15306 24th Ave
South Surrey

I will sharing ideas for the bookeeping of ABA programs as well as helping new parents get started. All are welcome. See you there

Nancy Walton

[Dave Smith]

test.. please ignore

[Mike & Rachel Goetz]

Hi Nancy

If it were me, I would actually teach the notes first, and do it just as you would letters of the alphabet (sight recognition). The piano books that I learned from had very short pieces that were in 4/4 using all quarter notes. That way he can build feel proud of playing real music first.

Regarding establishing a beat – have you considered using a metronome and tapping along?

I hope that helps. If you want to talk about it on the phone, send me an email at abapoco@hotmail.com and I'll give you my number.

Rachel Goetz

[Nancy Walton]

Piano a la ABA

My son has been learning to play piano through his ABA program. He learns new songs by memory since he can't read music yet. In an attempt to have him learn to read music we have had him tap out 4 quarter notes, RR with a half note and two quarter notes while counting 1,2,3,4. But we have not been able to move the half note around. I think the 1,2,3,4 is confusing him.

I was thinking of getting him to play these on the piano, but can't figure out how to establish a "beat" as he is playing them. We eventually want to move to playing different notes (right now the quarter note and half note are on blank cards. He can already match notes. He just doesn't know what they are for yet.

Has anyone got any tricks up their sleeves for introducing note reading?

Nancy

[Loraine Lalonde]

Hello Everyone,
I am new to this site and I think it is great. People have seemed to be quite friendly, and quite knowledgeable. I have spent some time reading some posts and have found them very well articulated, honest, and informational. Some great statements that can really open your mind, deepen your thoughts and touch your heart and soul.

Thank you to all,
Loraine Lalonde

[Mike & Jean]

Attention all parents and therapists who live in West Vancouver, Lions Bay, Squamish, Whistler, Bowen Island, the Sunshine Coast and Powell River please contact me •••.a.p at jean.lewis@telus.net. Please include all your contact information.

I have some very important information to share with you!

Thanks,
Jean Lewis

[Isaac]

Further to the discussion on whether autism is somehow a misunderstood "culture," and the ridiculous notion that society must change to accept weird and disruptive behaviour as natural, please refer to the World Health Organization's classification of autism below:
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World Health Organization
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
10th Revision
Version for 2003

Chapter V, Mental and Behavioural Disorders, Disorders of Psychological
Development

F84.0 Childhood autism
A type of pervasive developmental disorder that is defined by: (a) the
presence of abnormal or impaired development that is manifest before the age of
three years, and (b) the characteristic type of abnormal functioning in all the
three areas of psychopathology: reciprocal social interaction, communication,
and restricted, stereotyped, repetitive behaviour. In addition to these
specific diagnostic features, a range of other nonspecific problems are common,
such as phobias, sleeping and eating disturbances, temper tantrums, and
(self-directed) aggression.
Autistic disorder
Infantile:
á autism
á psychosis
Kanner's syndrome

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So, to all the delusional and likely disingenuous people who endorse the fringe notion of autism as a ÔcultureÕ, please note that autism is a rubric in the World Health Organization International Statistical Classification of DISEASES, not the U.N.'s Statistical Classification of Misunderstood Cultures (although a W.H.O. statistical list of opportunistic malingerers would be quite apt). Publisher Lenny Schafer eloquently sums up the autism-is-a-culture nonsense thus: "[they are] a handful of imposters crying a contrived victimhood."

Isaac

(thank you to Nora Whitney for the WHO contribution)

[Author]

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