[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Deleted User]

For families looking for getting their kids to do more physical activities, Gems Gymnastics in Surrey has classes for kids with special needs. They are located in #21- 13260 78 Ave.
There are two classes starting in April for the Spring Season.
For more details, call Cathy at 604-594-1555
between 9am – 2pm.
My son has been really enjoying it, that's why I'm posting it. I don't have personal interests in the gym.

[Joyce]

Hello everyone. First I will appologize for the length of this note and to anyone who may already be aware of this information. For those of you who are not aware, I hope that it will be useful – especially to the Soursos and Chamberlain families who currently have legal suits filed with drug companies for using vaccines that contained Thirmerosal.

The following information comes from a just-published report in the Journal of the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, conducted by Dr. Mark Geier and David Geier, analyzed mercury doses children received from Thimerosal in childhood vaccines in comparison to Federal Safety Guidelines. The doctors concluded that mercury from Thimerosal did exceed Federal Safety Guidelines and that the study provides "strong epidemiological evidence" for a link between
increasing mercury from Thimerosal-containing childhood vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism which has reached epidemic proportions. The authors stated, "A causal relationship between Thimerosal-containing childhood vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders appears to be confirmed."

The new legislation, sponsored by Senator Judd Gregg, comes on the heels of the new revealations.
The Geier research confirms the findings of an unreleased CDC study, obtained through the reedom of Information Act, which found a relative risk
of 2.48 between thimerosal exposures and autism. Courts of law have generally held that a relative risk of 2.0 or higher is sufficient to substantiate that a given exposure causes disease.

Much like the Homeland Security Bill provision, the legislation is attached to a larger bill that most likely will pass swiftly through the
Senate due to its anti-terrorism measures. The bill combines three interrelated issues: Bioterrorism-"BioShield", creating a Smallpox
Compensation Program and reforming the Vaccine Injury Compensation Act (VICA).

Parents of vaccine-injured children and many lawmakers on Capitol Hill believe VICA is long overdue for review and adjustment but passage of the Frist bill with all of its pro-drug company/anti-child regulations is not
the solution. Jeff Sell, vice-president of the Autism Society of America, an attorney and father of autistic twins said, "It is unconscionable to slam the door on any relief for perhaps 500,000 families-who may face millions of dollars in expenses for lifetime care for a seriously injured child-without providing for an alternative and effective remedy."

This isn't the first time Frist has been accused of catering to the pharmaceutical companies-many think in response to large campaign contributions. Last year, a $10,000 campaign contribution was reportedly given to Frist from a drug industry lobbying group the day after he
submitted S. 2053 that contained similar language to S. 15 and what was quietly slipped into the Homeland Security Bill in the 11th hour. The
corrupt rider was later repealed in response to media backlash and at the request of moderate Republicans.

If the Frist Vaccine Injury Compensation Bill does pass, drug companies will not be required to pay for lifelong care of children damaged
by Thimerosal, but taxpayers will. "U.S. taxpayers had no part in destroying my child's immune system, his health and his chance of a normal life … why should they pay for it?" asked Loretta McMahon, mother of a child whose
diagnosis recently switched from autism to mercury toxicity.

Parents of children with mercury-induced autism say they look to the Burton/Waxman/Weldon Bill in the House as a viable alternative plan because
of its due process to pursue civil litigation and for its look-back provision to incorporate thousands of families who presently do not fit into the VICA.

They plan a rally at Upper Senate Park, Wednesday, March 19th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Researchers will be in attendance to talk about the mercury/thimerosal and autism connection.
In 1990, the rate of autism was 1 in sease Control. This dramatic rise in autism rates correlates with the increase in mercury-exposure through vaccines given to children in the late 1980s and through the 1990s.

For more information about the autism-mercury connection, visit http://www.safeminds.org, http://www.momsonamissionforautism.org, http://www.altcorp.com and http://www.autismautoimmunityproject.com.

Hope this information is helpful.

Joyce

[Deleted User]

Teach Me Language
We purchased this program a few months ago and it is worth every penny and more. I recommend that you check it out at http://www.skfbooks.com if you have a child with emerging language in an ABA program or even if you don't have an ABA program but your child is language challenged. We also bought the practice sheets which weren't expensive and have saved us many hours of prep time. What we like most about it is not that it tells you how to teach language concepts effectively but also why.

Thanks SKF!

[Catherine Bargen]

Hi, my name is Catherine B and I am the aunt of a 5 year old autistic boy named Noah. I live in Langley, he lives in Winnipeg. Since I'm not physically present in Winnipeg to help out the family, I'm interested in volunteering 8-10 hours a month for a family in Langley with an autistic child. I am willing to receive training or whatever is necessary. Please email me at catherine@joelkroeker.com to discuss this further.
Thanks.

[Deleted User]

A quick note to those who struggle keeping data books organized or are just looking for a tidier way to do it.
I got sick of writing chicken scratch on little tab dividers so I recently picked up Avery "Ready Index – Easy Edit Table of Contents with Dividers". Updates to the Table of Contents page are no problem! Simply add new information or edit your contents using the see-through Table of contents sleeve (which won't lift print) and standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Preset layouts in Microsoft Word and Word Perfect programs for easy formatting. Print the section titles onto a plain sheet of paper, three-hole punch the contents page, and insert the sheet into the Easy Edit Table of Contents sleeve which is color coded to the corresponding tabs. Comes with 6, 8, or 10 numbered dividers. You can also download free software from Avery that works with Word to make it even (much) quicker and easier and you can change fonts and font size and add coloured text to the contents also.
If you don't got a computer you can write out your contents.

Cheap too at under $5 a pack.

http://www.avery.com

Note if you like using sheet protectors they hide the numbered tabs unless you put them in a sheet protector and cut a slot in the side for the tab.

Not promoting Avery, just trying to stay organized.
P.S. If you try the product and have a computer download the software, its way worth it.

[Irene Cheung]

Hello All,

I heard Dr. Richard Fox will soon be speaking in Vancouver. Does anyone know anything about this and who we need to contact to attend?

Thanks for your help.

Irene Cheung

[Claire Spencer]

Hello everyone,

I am doing market research to determine the viability of my business idea, which is sewing weighted vests and blankets. My five-year-old son with autism has found these products helpful, but I would appreciate input from other parents/therapists/consultants. Ideally I would like to have 100 "volunteers" take a short (11 question) survey. If you would be interested in completing this survey, please email me at: claire-spencer@shaw.ca. Thank you!

Claire Spencer

[Rachel Russell]

Hi- I think a person on the list was looking for info on melatonin to treat sleep problems in children with autism? Contact Dr. Jim Jan at Children's hospital at 875-2345 or at Sunnyhill at 434-1331 or Diane Fast at Childrens. Dr. Jan has done lots of research on this topic. Good Luck- also- I would love to recommend a great behavioral book for children with autism with sleep disorders- Sleep Better, A guide to Sleep Problems for Children with Special Needs by V.Mark Durand. Great ideas for a functional anlysis of sleep problems and how to design a behavioral intervention. Ordering from Chapters takes forever- I like Odin (Oden? check spelling!) books in Vancouver- Rachel Russell

[Deleted User]

Greetings –

On Monday March 24; 7-9pm in the Peter J. Peters Room at the West Van Library the ASBC North Shore Group Lecture Series presents Sports + Athletics: Why It's Important + How to Involve Kids Successfully.

Keynote Speakers Susan Strong, B.Sc. PT + Catherine Yoell,B.Sc. PT, physiotherapists from the Centre for Ability, will explore age-appropriate gross and fine motor developmental time-lines – what skills, when, introduced in what order and why; ASD and gross motor ability – what to watch for, what to develop, questions to ask your PT/OT; Linkages to gross motor ability + cognitive development; and social aspects of physical ability and positive peer interaction.

Parent Presenters Jean Lewis and Mike Leger will share 2 Case Studies: Learning How to Ride a Bike and Playing Minor Hockey. Each will demonstrate how specific skills were targeted, mastered and show what the learning outcomes are for each child as well as how they overcame the various challenges presented along the way.

So, come prepared to learn and play – all are welcome. Sure hope you can join us!

Tamara (taml@telus.net) & Anissa (anissalalani@shaw.ca)

[Deleted User]

Greetings –

On Monday March 24; 7-9pm in the Peter J. Peters Room at the West Van Library the ASBC North Shore Group Lecture Series presents Sports + Athletics: Why It's Important + How to Involve Kids Successfully.

Keynote Speakers Susan Strong, B.Sc. PT + Catherine Yoell,B.Sc. PT, physiotherapists from the Centre for Ability, will explore age-appropriate gross and fine motor developmental time-lines – what skills, when, introduced in what order and why; ASD and gross motor ability – what to watch for, what to develop, questions to ask your PT/OT; Linkages to gross motor ability + cognitive development; and social aspects of physical ability and positive peer interaction.

Parent Presenters Jean Lewis and Mike Leger will share 2 Case Studies: Learning How to Ride a Bike and Playing Minor Hockey. Each will demonstrate how specific skills were targeted, mastered and show what the learning outcomes are for each child as well as how they overcame the various challenges presented along the way.

So, come prepared to learn and play – all are welcome. Sure hope you can join us!

Tamara (taml@telus.net) & Anissa (anissalalani@shaw.ca)

[Author]

Replies