[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[David Chan]

This message is to wish every one a joyous
and peaceful, and restful holiday season. It's
no suppose to have anything to do with
therapy……

However, as I sit and watch the boy play with
his sister, and help make marshmallow
snowmen on the gingerbread house, I can't
help but realize that if as I say" he's had a lot of
work done" none of what I observed would
have ever, ever,ever happened. So when your
guys and gals do cool stuff, take a moment
and really enjoy it, that's your work that you are
looking at.

Well Merry X'mas to all and for those of you
that aren't of the faith, happy holidays

Mr. P's Dad

[Deleted User]

I am looking for any research information as well as parent opinions on how puberty can affect our kids. I am also seeking information on those who develop seizures during puberty. Our child's stimming behaviours have increased alot, she's added new ones, and she seems to often have a vague look, wanders alot, and is losing ability to focus. It's almost like we are losing the ground we have gained over the years. Any information or thoughts would be of value.

Thanks, Cheryl

[Deleted User]

Greetings –

We are Tamara Leger + Anissa Lalani and we are the new co-facilitators of the North Shore Autism Society Community Group. We would like to invite you to join us for scintillating discussion around the following “hot topics” in Autism.

Our first meeting is Monday January 13; 7-9pm at the West Van Library (Marine Dr + 20th). Our first topic is on Best Practices – “How to Start + Run an ABA Program: From “Do It Yourself” to Finding a Service Provider and Recruiting and Managing a Team”. This will be in a Panel Discussion format.

All are Welcome – sure hope you can join us, and feel free to bring a friend! Complete list of topics Jan -June to follow….

Questions or comments: please email taml@telus.net or anissalalani@shaw.ca

***********
-> Meeting Location: West Vancouver Library
-> Meeting Dates + Topics
Monday January 13; 7-9pm; Musto Room
Best Practices – How to Start + Run an ABA Program: From “Do it Yourself” to Finding a Service Provider and Recruiting and Managing a Team

Monday February 10; 7-9 pm; Musto Room
Autism + the Law I -> Defending Your Child's Legal Right to Treatment Funding + Recouping Your Costs

Monday March 24; 7-9pm; Story House Room
Sports + Athletics: Why it's Important + How to Involve Kids Successfully

Monday April 14; 7-9 pm; Musto Room
Awesome Peer Play + Successful Video Modeling: What Is It and How To Do It!

Monday May 12; 7-9 pm; Musto Room
School Panel Discussion: Writing Hardcore IEPs and School Treatment Plans=> What Should Be In It; Effectively Managing the Home/School Relationship; How to Take Data/Track ABC Charts at School; How to Find a Great School Shadow; and Know Your Child’s Legal Rights!

Monday June 23; 7-9 pm; Musto Room
Theory of Mind + Mindblindness: What is it, What Does It Mean, Why Is It Important + How to Develop it.

[Deleted User]

puzzles@amandaraichelle.com doesn't seem to be working…if interested in puzzles try raichelle@shaw.ca sorry

[Isaac]

A flyer and registration form for the upcoming FEAT workshop can be downloaded at the 'Events' page of the web site.

The direct link for the flyer is here:
–> http://www.featbc.org/downloads/eaiw.pdf

Isaac (Miki's Dad)

> ————————————————————
> FeatBC Discussion Board: Room One: General Topics Discussion
> ————————————————————
>
> By Jen Friedmann (Friedmann) on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 –
> 11:54 pm:
>
> Hi there I was just wondering if anyone can tell me anything
> else about the Shelley Davis Workshop in Jan. I can't find
> the registration application on the feat board anywhere. If
> anyone has more Info or a contact number i would really
> appreciate it, as I am eager to attend the workshop.

[Jen Friedmann]

Hi there I was just wondering if anyone can tell me anything else about the Shelley Davis Workshop in Jan. I can't find the registration application on the feat board anywhere. If anyone has more Info or a contact number i would really appreciate it, as I am eager to attend the workshop.

Thanks so much i can be reached at iwannabeakid@hotmail.com

[Deleted User]

Puzzled about the lack of 2-8 piece INTERLOCKING puzzles? Custom, hand made puzzles starting at $5! For more information e-mail puzzles@amandaraichelle.com

[Deleted User]

RE: costs of a lead therapist

First of all, I don't think the original poster of this thread said anything offensive, enquiring about pay and levels of experience is a valid question. There are different types of lead/sr. therapists out there and different levels of experience. We would all love to pay $25 an hour and there are some exceptional seniors out there who don't get paid that but there are also different degrees of ability and every once in awhile you stumble across someone who is worth twice that amount but you pay them $25 because they have the education, the experience and the ability to charge that.

I once had an senior therapist whom we paid $25 an hour. She was exceptional. She had over 5 years experience, taught courses on how to be an ABA therapist and data collection etc. Her job on our team was that of a Jr. Consultant really. She organized and trained our staff, she was our liaison with our consultant, but because she was capable of more, our consultant gave her a longer leash (so to speak) and she also wrote programming and with our consultants guidance made behavioural decisions. I would never have allowed this much responsibility if she did not have the extensive level of training that she did. She is now completing her masters degree in ABA and works at a much higher level in an academic setting. She was of a calibre that doesn't just happen every day.

When she was leaving she trained a new senior for each of my teams (2 kids, 2 teams). As we considered them seniors in training we paid them $12 an hour. While our original senior oversaw everything, she was not at our house ever day. In fact the most she ever worked for us was between 6-8 hours a week. THe set up we had then was that I was the senior who reported to her. I did alot of the grunt work and she trained me as to how to do it. And of course I did it for free! That made $25 an hour a bit more affordable.

With our seniors in training, they took over from me (phew!) and she oversaw them. We paid them $10 an hour then. We did this because the $25 an hour therapist only had 6 more weeks with us, so even though it was an expensive time, it was worth it trainin wise. When our senior left, the new seniors took over at$12 and I oversaw them. THe were in charge of the book, the data, they led team meetings with my assistance and they trained staff ongoing. Our Consultant took on a larger involvement with us at this time because we needed more guidance. And as my seniors gained more experience, became more highly skilled etc we increased their pay.

Fortunately our seniors were also EXCEPTIONALLY understanding that with 2 teams and 1.25 incomes, we were limited in what we could pay. They never complained about getting paid less than they were worth. THere are a lot of senior therapists out there who are like this. THey do this work because they have a heart for our children and they are excellent at what they do. they live and breathe aba and they are very understanding about issues of $ thank you to all of you :-)

We did give pay raises as our therapists became more skilled. And when we did start receiving money from the government, the first raises we gave were to our wonderful senior therapists.

In sum I think it is fair to start new senior therapist ie: one with no experience as a senior, at $11-12 an hour. AS they grow in experience and ability, this amount should increase. However at the same time, therapists do need to come into this job with an understanding that we pay out 30,000-60,000 a year and that many families get no assistance.

As a self-employed individual you have the right to decide what you are willing to work for, under what conditions. And never underestimate the joy of working for a family that financially doesn't pay well but appreciates you, treats you well, and works hard to follow through, my therapists don't stay for the pay, they stay because we work as hard as they do and we treat them well, and sometimes we feed them too! And remember that no amount of money makes working for an unappreciative family who treats you poorly and don't follow through, worth it.

Okay that is enough from me, no flames please!

Michelle

[Jenny Obando]

I too wanted to add my opinion.
I think the questions of what to pay the therapist and lead was a valid one. There are many families out there new to all of this and even families who have been doing this for a while who need feedback. Isn't this what we try to do for each other?. Give feedback and share our experiences ?.

I believe my therapist and lead are worh way more than what I pay them, and they all
definately deserve more. What they are doing for our children and what they endure is absolutely priceless, and I forever be greatfull to them.

The problem is we cannot afford to pay them more, even when they deserve it and are worth every dollar.
So, what we try to do for our therapist is to let them know, how much we appreciate them. We celebrate their birthdays and we invite them over for a xmas dinner, we share with them our hopes and dreams for our son .

As far as why should a lead accept $12 an hour. Well because they know the parents are paying what they can afford, and because they want to make a different in a child's life. And also because they can afford to, or even if they cannot afford to, they make do without, just so that a child can have a better chance at a close to normal life.
Of course you have to make a living. So perhaps for those therapist who cannot afford to work for less they need to find families who can financial afford a higher rate.

I myself am on both sides, I am a parent of a child in an ABA program, and I am also a Lead in other team. I believe myself to be a good lead but also a work in progress. I have an inside like few, because I live it everyday. I work very hard as a Lead, because I care and because I cannot imagine not being involved .

Jenny ( Tristen's mom)

[Deleted User]

Look…money is an issue for all of us. These programs cost too much to run for anyone, and our government would rather spend millions trying to beat us up in court than two cents to help our children. Money money money. Here's my two cents — pun intended:

Let's not bring up the $ word here, okay? I would love to pay my therapists more money, line and lead alike. They deserve it. But I just don't have any more. Period. $25 an hour for a lead? Sure, why not, if she's worth it. But I couldn't afford that for a second. Right now I can afford therapists who are in this for the joy of making a difference in the life of my child, the ones who can survive on what I can pay. I'd rather not spend any more time getting depressed over things I can't change right now, so please give this topic a rest. Thanks.

[Author]

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