[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Deleted User]

Thank you Norrah.

I too am apalled at the deliberate and blatant discriminatory policy our government is perpetrating and the fact that so many people are willing to support it.

ABA treatment (and I am talking 'gold standard'), per year, does not cost more than institutional care for an autistic adult. Even if a child received ABA treatment from age 2 to 18 the cost is far less than what it would be to place that individual in institutional care for life.

The argument of cost is really a smoke and mirrors show. Not treating Autism or stopping treatment at age 6 is actually defering the cost (with interest!) to a later date. It is our typical children who are going to inherit the burden and cost of caring for their peers who are refused treatment by our government today. That cost will be far greater tommorrow than the cost of treatment today.

As a society what does that really say about us? That we are all equal but some people are more equal than others? For our government it's not really about money, its about ignorance, its about discrimination, its about being self serving, its about playing god with someone elses life. Its about denying children their right to medical treatment so that they can instead spend the money to buy some votes tommorrow.

As a parent of a child facing this neglect from the society he was born into I am more than indignant, I am outraged, disturbed ,and saddened by the pain and suffering that autistic children and their families endure. I can see the emotional scars in the face of the parent who is distraught at the prospect of losing her adolescent child to institutional care because the behaviours are now beyond her ability to manage or control. I can feel the confusion of the little boy who screams and screams because he is suffering from the disease of autism, because he can't make sense of his world, because he is over six and doesn't merit treatment, never got it , and if our government has its way, never will. It just stabs you in the heart to look around your community and know that these people, your child included, are considered second class citizens to some people, that someone decided that they will just have to suffer.

Our government has 'forgiven' millions in loans that has benefitted big business. This proves Norrah's point that the money is there, just not for our kids. There are a large number of people in my community who are employed (and very well paid) by the government and 'working' with Autistic children. Yet none of these children are receiving 'treatment' so the no money argument will never wash with me.

I want to encourage everyone NOT to be satisfied with the current EIBI program and its level of funding, its parameters, or the bottlenecks designed to control access to it. It is way too little too late! It is not nearly enough. It is dicriminatory and continues to deny treatment to many children who would really benefit from it. EIBI is for many children a program that obstructs any opportunity for recovery.

[Melodie Pilloud]

Hello everyone, well this is a little update… just to let you know that Ty will be finished his testing on Friday the 26th of July. I am so glad that ABLE clinic and SMH took Ty's case. The last I heard from Sunny Hill we would be waiting another year or so before they would see Ty. I understand they are busy… but gosh I did not think it would take so long for them to see my baby boy. But I guess you all know what I am talking about as you have been there before. It would seem that Ty is going to get the autism diagnosis. I am a little sad but happy at the same time. It is just nice to know what is wrong with my little baby. Anyways I was wondering if someone could tell me what the next step is after the diagnosis. I am feeling lost once again. I am also very sad as I have been told (and I'm not sure if it's true) that the money the government will be giving for Ty will do for ABA for the first year… But then what???? I am sad and angry that because we are a low income family that my son will have to suffer with not enough threapy after the first year. But I guess you all can understand that as well!
We will be moving to Chilliwack at the end of this week and so I was wondering if someone could tell me about the treatment in that area. Will I have to get people from Abbotsford to come out there? Won't that cost more money? Won't that mean that my son will have less therapy than he needs…. there for will he not be losing out?
I am sorry for so many questions and worries… I am still new at all of this.
And I agree with you Mr.P's dad… on your last post. It is very sad!
m_pilloud@yahoo.ca
Melodie & Ty

[David Chan]

Let's face it –autism isn't sexy. Our provincial
government has committed many millions of
dollars just to have a BID at the 2010
Olympics. Please note, that's a bid, which is
to say we are just trying to get it to come to
Vancouver for what, a 2 week period. So we
might not even get the games here; it 's just a
gamble.

Don't get me wrong; I love a party as much as
the next guy. Maybe even more if given an
opportunity, but basically the messages that I
am interpreting is …

Let spend a whole bunch of money on
something that we might not get, so that if we
get it we will get Fed's to provide money for
infrastructure, like road improvements, and
other basic stuff and our local economy will
get this mystical boost, which we aren't
creative enough to provide for ourselves.
This gamble is even more astounding when
you consider that many cities that have hosted
the games have not benefitted financially or
otherwise in the long run.
As for the autistic kids and adults, hey, there
aren't really a whole lot of them (only, 1 in 250)
so hey in a province of 3 million, they don't
really count for a whole lot. So at the end of
the day, we'd rather have a party.

I guess that's how government works, but then
again I'm just cynical and self -serving 'cause I
have a kid with autism.

What happened to us that it's more important
to have a party, than to help those who can
least help themselves? Sad, isn't it?

Party-pooper,

Dave, Mr. P's Dad

[Deleted User]

I HAVE to address this funding issue with respect to cutting children off at 7.

Please for the love of G_d would parents PLEASE stop saying they can empathise with the government and " the province is broke". Start going through your provincial audits and you will realize REALLY quickly this is NOT a matter of resources guys , it IS a matter of priorities.

I know BC is a different province from Ontario, but just to give you an idea of some perspective here…
last year in Ontario we spent over 3.7 BILLION dollars on treating smoking related disease and drug and alcohol addiction. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't tell me you understand how they can not find the money. Those people made choices our children didn't. I sincerely hope for the sake of the children and advocacy this parental mindset of status quo changes.

We spent 498 million , on criminals….

The money is there, this can and will be funded in a universal manner, but not by believing it is impossible.
sorry but from a mother fighting with everything I've got to save my 6.5 year old the last thing I want to hear from another parent is understanding the governments position regarding the arbitrary attack by provincial powers of innocent children needing effective necessary medical treatment for their autism.
n.w.

[David Bridges]

Well-put as usual, Sabrina!

Thanks for your tireless work.

Dave Bridges

[Sabrina Freeman]

Dear CHAT Board members:

I returned recently from a few days away and found a somewhat disturbing, albeit interesting, thread on the Discussion Board – the ASBC/FEAT-BC topic. The discussion started with a reprinted letter, authored by a former employee of the ASBC. It appears to have tapped a rich vein of fear and suspicion out there about FEAT of BC's purportedly draconian, nightmarish agenda for children with autism. The question is: "How did these ridiculous ideas ever see the light of day?" I feel compelled to recap FEAT-BC's mission and also want to take this opportunity to address some of the salient issues raised in the ASBC vs. FEAT of BC discussion board thread.

As most of you probably know, FEAT-BC is an entirely non-profit, wholly volunteer organization that does not ask for, nor receive, any government funding. This is not accidental – it's what makes the group free and independent, by design.

This organization has two primarily goals.

1. Science-based autism treatment must be publicly funded and available for every child with autism whose physician prescribes it and whose parents want their child to benefit from it, regardless of family ability to pay. In other words, FEAT-BC exists to make sure the laudable and revered tenets of the Canada Health Act also apply equally to medically necessary autism treatment, in the same way the Act functions to ensure the funding and provision of universally accessible treatments for physical illnesses across the country.
2. Autism diagnoses must be provided on the same terms as diagnoses for physical illnesses, without artificial, government-generated bottlenecks. This must be done in a timely fashion, ideally at 18 months of age, but earlier as science makes this possible.

These are the central mandates of this organization and the reason it was established. Everything we do is geared to achieve these goals. In contrast to some comments made in this discussion group, it has never been an objective of FEAT-BC to coerce or force a particular treatment protocol upon anyone – nothing could possibly be farther from the truth.

It is well known, unfortunately, that if parents are not dedicated and committed to a treatment protocol, it will likely fail since follow-through is critical. In addition, why would any parent at FEATBC care to waste precious time, taken away from their own families, on people who do not want their children in a science-based treatment program? We are all far too busy. Remember, every FEAT-BC parent volunteer who spends hours on the phone with a new parent does it out of the goodness of their heart, not because they are on a government salary. There IS no government money in this organization and membership cost is zero – there are no barriers to anyone.

In keeping with the mandate, one of our roles is to inform parents about the state-of-the-science and then let parents make their own decision. Contrary to spurious charges leveled against this organization, FEAT censors no one and does not suppress or withhold information; but we DO say that science should be your guide.

How does FEATBC view the role of the ASBC?

FEAT-BC has always kept to its mandate, but this organization was not established to do all the necessary jobs ASBC is set up to do. An autism society needs to advocate for families who need respite and adults with autism who need housing, jobs, vocational training, etc.; it needs to be the clearinghouse of information of ALL sorts and it must be a disinterested, independent advocate for all persons afflicted with this difficult disorder. An autism society should buy relevant books on autism and sponsor conferences, bringing experts from around the world to share the best of current knowledge in the field. There are many other functions an autism society should perform but in short, a healthy, representative and GOVERNMENT-INDEPENDENT Autism Society could do a lot of good for a lot of people in this province.

I feel compelled to mention that the fear mongering coming from some quarters of ASBC for years regarding FEAT-BC, would be laughable if it were not so very troubling. To address this FEAT-BC/ASBC "takeover" issue: for the record, this is not an agenda of this organization and, moreover, FEAT-BC will never merge or somehow become part of ASBC because we never want to be controlled by an organization that receives most of its funding from government (the ASBC is the recipient of over $350,000 per year in government funding, not to mention other government grants that vary from year to year). Think about it. The ASBC describes itself as a resource of the Ministry of Children and Families! (ASBC web site 2000). The vast majority of the ASBC membership is comprised of good and well meaning people but they need to know that the ASBC leadership and executive in recent years have permitted the ASBC to become a de facto arm of government. That is not a healthy situation for genuine advocacy.

Unfortunately, when an organization is reliant upon government for their very survival, they cannot advocate effectively for children with autism. Arguably this is why ASBC felt compelled to help government in its attempt to defeat parents in BC Supreme Court during the Auton Case. Although many ASBC members do not know this, the autism society played an important role in government's attempt to defeat parents! Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. An example of the "help" they gave government was this: they were instrumental in working on a so-called "remedy" that would EXCLUDE all children age six and over from receiving ABA! We all know this legal remedy government served up in the Auton case – it's called the EIBI pilot project which serves a small number of children with non science-based interventions, leaves children over age five out in the cold, uses government diagnosis as a gatekeeper to enrollment, is being evaluated by the same academics who helped set up the program, etc. Do FEATBC members want to associate with this kind of activity? Absolutely not.

In short, FEAT-BC was born because a government-funded autism group (ASBC) was not doing its job since it is beholden to government for survival. An autism organization should not be primarily concerned about preserving government contracts and jobs. I, and many others, would never volunteer half our waking hours for an organization that is muzzled because it needs government funding and has no qualms about aiding government in a legal battle against children in B.C. Supreme Court. But sadly, this has been the close relationship between ASBC and government. It is difficult to run away from that shameful record of complicity.

FEAT's goal has never been, nor will it be, a "take over" of the ASBC. Who needs to inherit all their problems! FEAT-BC certainly doesn't. Stated for the record, this organization did not stage any takeover, as is being charged by some. This is not the policy of our group.

The Board of the ASBC

It is my understanding that some members of FEATBC are also members of the ASBC. These individuals are also interested in many other areas where the ASBC is involved. These board members are committed to making B.C. a better place for people with autism of all ages, not just children. Nowhere is it written that FEAT-BC members are not allowed to join the ASBC. FEAT-BC is a grassroots organization and its members are obviously free to join any organization they choose. They are free agents, making independent decisions. These ASBC/FEATBC members, some of whom I know personally, are talented, intelligent, honest, hard-working people who have only the best wishes for people with autism. They are not interested in censorship or destruction. They are not "radical elements" or fanatics. To the contrary, they bring talent any organization would be privileged to have. Instead of feelings of paranoia, the alarmed posters to this group should feel fortunate that these talented, energetic people have taken time out of their busy lives to add creativity and intelligent stewardship to the organization.

One thing that I do know about some new members of the ASBC Board is that they would never help government harm children with autism for money. In other words, they will not compromise the best interests of people with autism based on the priorities of the ASBC's government paymasters. Perhaps that is what the fear mongering is all about. The government and disgruntled ASBC members who were instrumental in running the organization during the Auton case know that this new board would never advocate against giving parents of children with autism individualized funding for treatment programs. For those of you receiving $20,000 per year in funding now under the IEII program, you should know that the ASBC was, in fact, against giving money directly to parents through individualized funding programs because they thought you couldn't handle it. They also lobbied against individualized funding because government service providers are against giving money directly to parents because then government funded autism contractors would have to compete in a free and open marketplace! This patronizing, paternalistic view would never be adopted by this new board. It was only FEAT-BC's lobbying – high level exchanges between FEAT and government and the CIAT Brief (https://featbc.org/ciat.pdf) – that managed to convince government to create the new individualized funding program, FEAT-BC's CIAT program in all but name. It was the Autism Society executive working against parents of children with autism that made it so hard to push this through. Government could always point to its own government funded autism organization as the bellwether representative of families' opinions, needs and supposed satisfaction with government work such as MCFD's empty Autism Action Plan, for example. This has made the struggle towards universally funded autism treatment much more difficult.

So, the choice is very simple. If you want to make sure that the ASBC does not work against your child's ABA funding goals and you want to continue to receive individualized funding, you are welcome, as individuals, to join ASBC to ensure they work in this positive direction. There is nothing stopping you, and I encourage you to make a stand and have your voice heard. As the parent of a child with autism in B.C., you have every right to make sure that your children's fundamental rights are heard at the government table. Being a FEAT member should be complementary to ASBC, not adversarial.

Information is Power

FEAT-BC's position has always been to share, not suppress, information. The sharing of information gives each individual parent the power to make good and important decisions for their child's health and well being. On the other hand, tight control over information renders a parent powerless (that is one of the types of power organizations use to control parents of children with autism, but I'll save that discussion for another post). The concept of information as power is why the word "Science" is in our mandate. Science is designed to uncover truths, not hide them. The allegation that FEAT-BC, as an organization, does not tell parents about other autism interventions is ludicrous. In fact, on a regular basis this organization recommends that parents obtain a copy of the New York Report on Best Practices for Autism. The reason: a wide variety of treatments are evaluated in detail by renowned autism experts in terms of the science behind the intervention (or lack thereof). We are providing new parents up-to-date information on treatments and what science has to say about these treatments. In truth, most so-called autism treatments don't have enough science behind them to warrant their use. However, if a parent wants to experiment with their child, that is their business. This group does not exist to prohibit what it is that some parents elect to do to their children. I will not apologize for the fact that FEAT is not prepared to hide the state-of-the-science from new parents. That would be dishonest. If the ASBC really wanted to serve people with autism and their families, they would not hide the state-of-the-science from parents either. They would also recommend, at minimum, the New York Report on Best Practices for Autism. But they don't. Yet we have heard accusations posted to this discussion group that it is FEAT-BC that somehow has an agenda of withholding autism information from parents, when in fact the opposite is true – it is the government funded ASBC that withholds information from its membership.

The truth in all this is that FEAT-BC is all about the exchange of ideas, not censorship of thought. That is why we have the only unmoderated autism discussion board in this province, where ASBC members are free to sign up and share their thoughts (anonymously if they wish) even though some of them are not even involved with ABA programs. Moreover, for the record, it is important to state that FEAT-BC is so committed to the free exchange of ideas that this group agreed to allow a former employee of the ABSC the opportunity to post a very contentious letter to our discussion board. The ASBC did not accord us the same privilege of publishing FEAT-BC's views in their newsletter, despite a formal request. Also, to the best of my knowledge, the ASBC to this date does not run an unmoderated board where their members can exchange information. If anything, it is the ASBC that seems to have the appearance of controlling the free flow of information amongst its membership, not FEAT-BC – quite the opposite of charges leveled by some against FEAT-BC.

This CHAT Board was created and is devoted to discussion of science based ABA treatment issues because that is what our organization is all about. There are many other boards where parents can exchange ideas about all kinds of autism treatments that, as of now, remain unsubstantiated. If you are Internet savvy and on this Chat Board, chances are you have access to all kinds of Internet lists and discussion boards, but it is not the mandate of this group to be concerned with the universe of experimental treatments.

It is important to keep in mind that science is constantly moving forward and the fringe treatments of yesterday may, in fact, become the best practice of today – that is the nature of discovery and paradigm shift. In reality, though, gaps between genuine breakthroughs are wide. That is why it is always important to stay current on the state-of-the-science through legitimate organizations like the National Alliance of Autism Research (NAAR, http://www.naar.org.) Another source of comprehensive information for those for you who want to know about the "good, bad and the ugly" is the Schafer Report, which I recommend to those who are interested in all news related to autism. Go to –> SUBS@doitnow.com

The Schafer Report has the widest circulation amongst autism newsletters and can help you learn about many other sources of information. If some members of this group would like a BC based Chat Board dedicated to alternative, experimental therapies, I encourage you to approach the ASBC to set up its own internet list or discussion board. They certainly have the resources and it is within their mandate to take this on. However, non science-based discussions are not FEATBC's mandate. This is not a matter of tolerance, it is a matter of science, and no, FEATBC will not "bend" the science even a little to accommodate unsubstantiated autism interventions. We believe in peer-reviewed journals, which evaluate autism studies with good experimental designs. We do not believe it is ethical to mislead parents, especially new parents, by offering them the latest, unsubstantiated, "cure de jour."

That said, if your child is suffering from other symptoms, in conjunction with autism e.g., allergies or intestinal irregularities, then it is certainly a good idea to research these issues in keeping with the state-of-the-science. Many other autism-related boards exist to accommodate these topics.

In short, the ASBC and FEATBC should be complementary. It is not FEAT BC's fault that the ASBC long ago stopped doing the job that they were mandated to do. It is not FEAT-BC's fault that ASBC was captured by government, co-opted and hamstrung by MCFD funding so it could no longer advocate for the treatment rights of children. But all this does not mean that FEAT-BC has any designs on "taking over" anyone. I sincerely hope that the ASBC embraces the talented new members on the ASBC board who have much to bring to that organization. Do not alienate them and risk losing the most talented board the ASBC has had since the Honourable Grace McCarthy helped set the ASBC up decades ago.

Sabrina Freeman, Ph.D.
Executive Director, (a 100 percent volunteer position)
FEAT BC

[Laurie Guerra]

Hey Anonymous, I'm with you. As soon as there is a pill that cures Autism, I'll be the first in line. But until then I'll continue to do what is BEST PRACTICE for my child.
I am not a member of FEAT other than on their chat board. I am a board member of the ASBC and have been a community facilitator for the ASBC for the past 2 years. Just to put your mind at ease, I think it is a good thing that the ASBC board is passionate; not about ABA but about AUTISM and doing whatever is necessary to treat it, support families with it and provide truthful information in regards to it.

The ASBC and FEAT need to work side by side and that is what I know we as a board will do if we are given the chance. Feat specifically deals with Early Autism Treatment. The ASBC has to deal with not only treatment but many other aspects dealing with autism. Sure treatment is a part of that and we better have the correct info. I believe that the new ASBC board will accomplish that. On a more personal note……

The question isn't whether you can afford what is deemed to be "BEST PRACTICE", but rather how can you not afford it. I don't know about you but I would give my life for my child.

If my son had cancer instead of Autism I would move heaven and earth to get him chemotherapy. why? Because that is the best treatment so far. I also heard that tomato juice is good in fighting cancer and much cheaper. Should I then reason out somehow that because someone said it worked for them I should forget the chemo and just use tomato juice? Can you see how bizarre that sounds? Perhaps I'll use chemo and tomato juice. Just make sure that the tomato juice you are using is proven safe (cheylation therapy?), and don't stop the chemo.
From what I have seen and heard so far from FEAT, I couldn't be prouder of the work that they have done. I will continue fighting for the rights of all autistic people through the ASBC because I think FEAT is doing a great job already in their mandate!
What an amazing tool this chat board is! I would like to see the ASBC have one like it. Oh well perhaps in the near future!!!

Laurie Romey, ASBC director, facilitator

[Deleted User]

As a parent of a child who is among the 47% of children who have recovered after a 3 year intensive ABA program, I am compelled to say the following, PARTICULARLY to you new parents out there who despite the scientific data on ABA may still have concerns/doubts regarding this treatment. Before learning about ABA (and it was certainly not through the "help" of the Autism Society,) we tried some community based speech therapy,infant development program,and a few other assorted therapies. These treatments all proved ineffective and we wasted valuable time. Surely we can all agree that the earlier the child is treated the better? Anyway, I learned about FEAT and ABA when my child was 3 years old and thanks to all the information and time supplied by Sabrina Freeman we began our program and never looked back. It was truly amazing to see skill by skill mastered rapidly when we'd been trying to teach our child using other methods with limited success. Like all you parents out there I dreamt for recovery, and we lived ABA 24/7 for 3 years. My child didn't recover over night,but we watched and we hoped and we rejoiced as each new skill developed. It was during this time that the realization struck me that even if my child didn't completely recover, the ABA program was still worth every penny and every effort because each skill mastered was helping my child make sense of what was at that time a very confusing world for my child. To make a long story short, ABA saved my child and gave my child their life back. My child now attends school in a different area from where we did our ABA program and no one is aware of our past. In short, my child has recovered. For you sceptics out there, my child's recovery has been fully documented, complete with independant psycholgist following treatment. I think that the reason you don't often hear from the 47% who have recovered as the result of an ABA program is that people have fought so hard to be "indistinguishable" that they want to protect their privacy and their child's identity as do I, but I feel so compelled to speak to the new parents who may feel some trepidation regarding an ABA program. Please make no mistake ABA is the sole reason that my child recovered. I recognize that different children can have different outcomes, but ALL children benefit from ABA and some do recover as my child did. Please give your child that chance. Today I wanted to gave a voice to the 47% who have recovered. The families and children are out there,but for obvious reasons often do not speak out. I consider myself a lifetime FEAT member despite my child's recovery because I care so much about what happens to all these kids. Please remember that Sabrina Freeman has worked tirelessly and on an UNPAID basis for the children with autism in British Columbia and it is through hers and Jean Lewis's effors primarily that the newly diagnosed children in BC now have their chance to have funding for their ABA programs. Please use this opportunity and provide your children with this medically necessary treatment.
I would also like to respectfully suggest that the purpose of this chatboard is not to debate the merits of ABA vs other unproven treatments. For those who seek other treatments, there are other chatboards.
In closing I would like to send my respects to Sabrina,Jean, David Chan,David Bridges,Norrah,Avery , Michelle B,and Barbara R. You are the guts of this board. Don't ever change. Have I been a little personal today? Yes I have, but you see this has been a very personal story.
God Bless.

[Pam Mihic]

An earlier post had questioned the effectiveness of an ABA program for older children and whether the government should provide funding for these children. One of the government's contracted agencies recommended that our thirteen year old high-functioning autistic son be placed in a segregated program in high school…even though he had not been previously segregated. The results were disastrous. Apart from the academic expectations which we felt were inappropriate, our son developed 'interesting' (negative) behaviours and experienced physical assaults and emotional abuse from other students. When our son was fourteen, we BEGAN a Lovaas-based ABA program. He was enrolled in another school (in another school district, but that's another story) in a fully integrated program. He has just completed his grade 9 year with a "B" average (regular curriculum). He is happy, starting to come out of his shell, and the 'interesting' behaviours have disappeared. He also is no longer taking prozac. Our current school works with us (parents, therapists, and behavioural consultant) in incorporating our consultant's recommendations. Does ABA work for older children? Based on our experience, you bet it does. Should the government pay for our son's ABA therapy? Undeniably, yes. Our son will be able to live on his own, hold a job, and pay taxes. Our family will fight until this government corrects its discrimination against older children with autism.

Pam Mihic
Proud mother of Nicholas

[Deleted User]

This post needs a rebuttal

"In my
opinion, the most important thing is the kids, and as a
result, I try not to pick sides. FEAT members, however,
have spent a great deal of time discrediting everything that
is not ABA. I myself have been told by FEAT members (and it
has been posted on here several times) that if you do
ANYTHING except ABA, you are harming the child. I have even
heard this go as far as to be called abuse!!!! I would
really like to know, how (even with the best of intentions)
people who believe so strongly that there is only ONE answer
to Autism, intend to continue to freely pass out information
about "garbage" approaches or "therapies of the week", which
they view as harming a child. I just can't see that as
happening."

I am a FEAT member and resent your efforts to put words in my mouth. Yes, ABA is not the ONE answer. It is, at this time however, the best answer by far. As a parent I employ other interventions to promote the HEALTH of our child. I have promoted this attitude to other parents. I do understand that these other interventions are benefitting my childs health, not treating the disease of Autism. If you are concerned that FEAT members may try to prevent misinformation about other interventions as 'treatment' then I hope you are right.

My child needed ABA at age 2. My child didn't start getting ABA until age 7. Because of that my child was denied the best opportunity to recover from Autism. Recovery is still our goal but it will be a longer road. How can the denial of a valid medical treatment to a child suffering from a debilitating neurological disease be anything but abuse?

The reason ABA works is that it addresses the root cause of Autism, a very abnormal development of the brain. The very best neuroscientists in North America recognize that the brains of people with Autism develop differently in structure than typical people. They believe very strongly that large amounts of positive reinforcement delivered for desirable 'typical behaviour and responses' (as it is in ABA) allows the brain to gradually change the way it is 'wired' and structured to that of a typical developing brain reacting with a 'typical' response. This is because our 'reward center' in the brain plays a part in structuring how we react to stimuli. This is the medical aspect of ABA treatment many people don't get who are so confused by the large volumes of 'interventions' out there touted as treatment.

Our ABA consultant recommended we try "Fast Forward' for our child. This is a program that focuses on and trains my childs ability to process language. It is working very well. I would not however recommend it as 'treatment' because it isn't. It does however augment my childs treatment program well at this time. Without ABA I could never have gotten my child to sit still for 20 minutes 5 times a day and respond to several hundred 'trials' per 20 minute sitting that the Fast Forward program requires and do it with a smile.

Fearmongering and misinformation is not going to stop the efforts of parents in this province from creating meaningful progress to eliminating the abuse, misinformation, and discrimination perpetrated by our govt. Face it, without this desperately needed change ASBC will continue to serve only those who are content to bury their heads in the sand, not their Autistic children.

[Author]

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