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[Nicole Damon]

Thanks Bodana,

I called you guys so don't worry about returning my call.

Nik

[Bohdanna Popowycz]

Hi Nik

The July 5th EAP workshop is a line therapist training class. We run this class every month or so. It is designed for newer line therapists for better understanding of DTF which includes clear definitions of mass trial, random rotation and levels of prompting. There also are video tapes and hands on role playing done to assist with the above. Although for newer therapists we recommend this class for a refresher for those working with children with autism in an in home ABA programme or for school personnel interested in the children attending their school.

This class is full, but the next class will be early September. For more information please call the EAP office at 604 473 5011

[Nicole Damon]

Hey,

Does anyone know anything about the EAP workshop for July 5th? Am I mistaken or is there one, and what is it about?

Thanks,

Nik (ABA therapist)

[Barbara Rodrigues]

I just wanted to say how amazing Miki's recital was also – it brought tears to my eyes. I also wanted to congratulate Jon on his big day and his achievements.

Then I wanted to go off thread for just a minute and say that I met Jon and his parents Robin and Jeff about 5 years ago here in the Okanagan. We were just starting out in our program – Jeremy was just 4 – I had never met any other autistic kids let alone any doing programs.

Jean Lewis made a point of meeting me with me – took the time out of her family vacation to introduce me to her family and her little guy and Robin and her family also came up to meet with us. It meant a lot to me because I was very alone up here in the Okanagan and fighting a lot of Ministry and contracted agencies who had thoughts much like those expressed by the anon 5:13.

I remember so clearly how both Robin and Jean shared with me what their kids were doing, how life was and how it could be.

But what struck me the most and has always stayed with me – is not only the fierce love that you could see the parents have but the follow through that was evident even during vacation – the parents were 'working and following through' with their kids all the time. I have seen Sabrina do this with Miki also.

I remember thinking at the time as I still do – Wow what amazing parents – especially Robin and Jeff because Jon was so much older (ha! now that my guy's 9 that seems so funny to me but at that time. . )

I remember thinking – you know these are the true 'hero's' in all of this – these are the ones that don't get the 'kudo's' much but that really deserve it. The parents whose kids don't fly through the program with the lightening speed – the ones that trudge through the tough times long after the 2-3 years it takes some of the other kids (I wish everyone's little one to make it like that). These are the hero's – the parents that fight for their kids and follow through and rant and rage and cry and then dammit, get up the next day and begin again.

These are the parents that have fought and moved the boulders off the road so that maybe just maybe it's easier for those of us who come along behind them.

So while I would never take anything away from each of these amazing children because they have worked so hard to get there. I want to say 'Way to go!' to the amazing parents of these two children and all the parents of 'older kids' who fight the fight each and every day – you are my inspiration.

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

ps: Dave – I loved your quote about achievement – I am going to put that up on my board.

[David Chan]

Way to go Miki and Jon. You guys are my
heros, not to mention all you un-named kids
out there working your little tushes off. You
make us proud, and you make us all better
people too.

Way to go !!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that all ABA parents share in the
success of these children. Theses children's
sucesses gives us parents the inspiration to
carry on for yet another day.

To all of you that look in, don't you guys ever,
ever, ever decide ahead of time what OUR
Children will be able to achieve.

Wow, Way to go !!!!!!

Dave
Mr. P' s Dad

[Jeff and Robin]

Sabrina,

Tonight I listened to Miki's beautiful rendition of Gershwin with tears in my eyes. I know how proud you are of her and her many accomplishments and I know that this musically gifted young woman will receive many accolades in the years to come. As parents of teenagers with autism who have had many years of extensive intervention in Lovaas ABA programs,we know the challenges have been numerous and often it seemed the despair of would overwhelm us. Yet, as you pointed out in such a timely fashion, the benefits our children have reaped from the years of instruction using Lovaas methodology continues to bring them to a place where they will realize their full potential.

Today was also a very emotional day for Jeff and I. Today our 13 year old son Jonathan graduated from elementary school. He proudly marched in to the auditorium with his fellow graduates wearing his grad cap, sat through a two hour assembly with a smile on his face and marched up to get his diploma and shook hands with his teacher and the principal. Following the conclusion of the ceremony, he threw his cap in the air along with all the other students. Eight years ago when Jon started kindergarten, he couldn't be in the gym or sit longer than 30 seconds. So on this auspiscious day, I would like to thank some very special people for helping to bring Jon to where he is today; Dr. Ivar Lovaas and his crew at UCLA where Jon spent nearly a year, Shelley Davis, Andrea S., Bryan, Anita G. Jason H., Sara W., Kevin H. and Will C. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Rachel Russell whom my son has been blessed to have as his instructor for eight years and now consultant for the past two years.

So in closing, my message to the parents of younger children mirrors Sabrina's – continue your home based Lovaas programs and don't give up the good fight.Your children too, will amaze you with where they will be in a few years.

Signing off and apologizing for the verbosity of this post.

Robin
(proud mom of Jonathan)

[Nancy Walton]

A good accountant:

Bonnie Mathie in White Rock has done our taxes for 7 years and when we got our son's diagnosis she took the responsibility of making herself an expert in tax issues for people with disabilities. She is good at getting the most out of your therapy expenses and giving you advice on what to do during the year.

Her phone number is 604 536-9166

Nancy Walton

[Debra Antifaev]

That was beautiful, Sabrina, and thanks for the reminder to appreciate how far our Autistic children have come.
As one of the parents of a younger child (who has received the limited IEII thanks to you) I find that we often forget the huge strides our children have made.

Deb
Ben's Mom

[Sabrina Freeman]

Hello everyone.

I wanted to post a note to the group about my daughter today because too often, parents of older kids who have reached milestones don’t share with parents of younger kids who are just at the beginning of the journey. I thought I’d share an uplifting moment with all of you since we sometimes work so hard with our children we may not always recognize and appreciate the progress our kids are making — we’re so up close and “in the trenches.”

Our 15-year-old daughter, Miki, just performed her annual piano recital at the Langley Community Music School concert hall; Miki played two George Gershwin pieces. She got up on that stage, bowed, played her music — all memorized (no score) — then bowed again and sat down completely independently. She was solo in every sense of the word.

My child is not indistinguishable from her peers; however, she has a full life and because of the method pioneered by Lovaas and colleagues, she was able to realize (and is continuing to realize) her full musical potential. We taught her to read music, write and play music using Discrete Trial Training, imitation, various kinds of modeling, as well as many other “tools” in the ABA kit bag. So, for those of you whose children are still at the stage where you may be wondering whether your child will ever toilet-train, just know that we parents of older children have been in EXACTLY the same place and now see our children achieving things we never imagined or could have predicted.

If you would like to have a listen to Miki’s two piano recital pieces, click here for a “virtual” seat at the concert hall:

ftp://skfbooks.com/downloads/Miki_plays_Gershwin.mp3

Sabrina
(Miki’s Mom)

[Deleted User]

Can anyone recommend a good accountant?
Thanks

[Author]

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