[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Jannet Narukami]

Hello there, Is there anyone who can fill us in on the "Auton Case" hearing in Supreme Court last June 9 and 10?

[Olga Guitelmakher]

Hi, everyone!
My name is Olga. We need your help.
My son is 4,5 y old. He was diagnosed as autistic. He came from Rassia 1 month ago. Now we are on waiting list in "Sunny Hills", but it is 6-8 mths to wait. I dont know what to do with him right now. I need some advice how can I teach him before we start program, I need some spetial materials (books, cards…). I would appreciate any advice.
My e-mail: ogmakher@hotmail.com

[Jack & Cheryl Malli]

Hello Everyone,
We are all very busy and I for one have not had much opportunity to read up on what has happened with the Auton case. Frankly, I am a bit surprised that it has not dominated discussion on these boards for the last month. So can anyone let us know what happened at the Supreme Court of Canada? Thanks.

[Jenn Ralph]

To Debra and Evan –
Debra – Thanks for sharing your experiences. We have thought about Disneyland too, but will probably wait a few years (our daughter just turned 4). Your experience with the staff there was very encouraging to read about. Also, I find that what Catherine Maurice said proves true time and time again: The people who criticize ABA are almost always the ones who are the least informed. This has proven true in my own experience (since my daughter's diagnosis a year and a half ago) with various "support workers/professionals in ASD": The people who have criticized it have GRAVE misconceptions about the therapy, and have also NEVER done it (either as a parent or therapist) themselves. This continually concerns and frustrates me.

To Evan – Welcome to the group. I know it is very difficult to recieve the diagnosis for your child. I have been there, and most of the people on this board have been there too. You will find a vast array of experiences here, both positive and negative. My personal advice to you would be:

1. Read "Let Me Hear Your Voice" by Catherine Maurice. It doesn't matter how much you and your wife work and how busy you are, you MUST read this. It is probably as much your story as it is hers (and all of ours). It will give you great direction and perspective, and is a true story.
2. Get the required diagnoses required to get the funding as soon as possible. DO NOT WAIT FOR SUNNYHILL – the wait lists are massive, it will take too long, and it will be precious time lost for your child that they could be benefitting in therapy.
3. Get a bona fide ABA consultant as soon as possible. The good ones all have waiting lists, so get on them all. From what I know, here is a partial list: Catherine Sharpe, Rachel Russel (ABLE clinic), Shelley Davis, Andrea Sharp, Lisa Wincz (ABC), etc. I'm sure other people on the board can contribute more suggestions as per their knowledge and experience. The ones listed on the Autism Society list and on the MCFD (Ministry of Children and Families) list are NOT all bona fide ABA trained. The ugly politics involved in this are too numerous to get into now. Just take my word for it so you don't waste 9 months like I did before starting an ABA therapy program for your child. Time is of the essence.
4. Although all of this is overwhelming (it was for me), read as much as you can, and remember – go with the therapies that have evidence. Should you want to read about all known "therapies" for autistic children, you can refer to the NEW YORK Report, or the legal section of this website (to see what the courts deemed effective/not effective, all based on facts, data, and evidence).
5. Know that you are not alone and that your child will improve,perhaps greatly improve, with proper intervention.

I hope this helps, and good luck.
Jennifer Ralph

[Evan & Janine Frewing]

Hi, My name is Evan. My son Ethan just recieved the diagnosis: Autism spectrum Disorder(PDD:NOS). We have a meeting with social workers coming up (In New Westminster, B.C.). We would really appreciate any advice or help that anyone who has been through this experience would be willing to give. This is our first meeting and I think the topic will revolve around how to get money for Ethan's training, but I'm not sure. Thanks for your considerations.

[Debra Antifaev]

HI Everyone!

Just a quick note to let you all know that we have just returned from Disneyland, California. While that, in itself, is not earth-shattering the treatment we received in Disneyland is.
We had heard that Disney no longer provided special needs passes and were very worried as we had booked our trip over a year ago and our son is VERY severely Autistic.
Just to let everyone know….Disney could not have been more accommodating. They were so friendly and understanding.
We were given a pass for the whole family (6 of us!!) There were no "under the breath" comments or frosty stares…it was truly the happiest place on earth!!
On an even happier note…Ben absolutely loved Disneyland! He went on almost every ride (Pirates of the Carribean 4 times!). The only tiny transition issue we had was getting him OFF his favourite rides.
My mother-in-law was talking to a woman with an adult child with Autism who thought those of us in Lovaas ABA programs were cruel. The woman had NEVER been able to take a holiday or couldn't go out for dinner with her son and he was still not toilet trained…….when I looked at my fabulous, laughing, happy, toilet trained and well behaved little boy running with other children at Disneyland…I couldn't help thinking….who is really the cruel one?

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[Elaine Gee]

Looking for gymnastic buddies :
Hello, I am looking for 2 ASD kids (4 – 7 years old)to join my son's (recreational) gymnastic class in the fall, 2004 in Cartwheels, Richmond (Steveston). The owner of Cartwheels who is also my son's coach mentioned that she will consider planning this class given that we, parents will have to be with our kids during the session. The regular class is too advance in the language content and as for their one-on-one class, there is no opportunity to learn waiting and turn-taking skills. If you are interested please email me at elainegee@shaw.ca or phone me at 604-2720078.

[Mike & Jean]

The monthly F.E.A.T. of B.C. meeting for June has been cancelled or rather amalgamated with the
Autism Society's North Shore Branch parent meeting for this month.

I will be reviewing the Auton hearing which was heard at the Supreme Court of Canada on June 9th.

The ASBC meeting is on Wednesday, June 23rd. at the West Vancouver Public Library at 7:00 p.m. My remarks will be in addition to their regular agenda. See the ASBC's website for more info.

The next regular F.E.A.T. of B.C. meeting will be in September.

See you on the 23rd.

Jean

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