[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Deleted User]

here! here! to the last two posts!!

signed Anonymous #2 (the disillusioned Anonymous)

[David Bridges]

Erik:

If you can't find anyone near you, then try the dental clinic at Children's hospital. I've had very good experiences with the staff there – very patient and understanding. It is a fair jog for you, though.

Dave

[Erik Minty]

First of all, it seems the sentiment has been lost in the recent fray, so I would like to emphasize my own personal gratitude to everyone at FEAT who has worked so hard over many years to finally make ABA funding a reality. (Not to mention a government who, despite any other flaws, lived up to the promise of providing this funding.)

There is obviously still a long ways to go, and the battle is not yet over, as those who have or are about to lose their funding can attest. But it's definitely a start.

I think it's more than fair to say that ABA has become the cornerstone of our efforts to help our son through this disorder, but I believe I should point out that it has not been a magic bullet. If I've learned one thing about PDDs, it is that it takes on as many forms as there are children who have it. It is a complex puzzle, and while ABA has proven to be a very large piece of the solution, strict Lovaas-style discrete-trial teaching alone would not have gotten us to where we are today.

We all know ABA works; science tells us this. That's a great starting point. But what can we say to the parent who cannot afford the cost of an ABA program, and is not eligible for funding? FEAT can, and should, continue to fight for this funding as always.

But in the meantime, parents need alternatives; this is where I believe ASBC has an important role. It almost seems blasphemous to suggest such a thing in this forum, but there are indeed other things you can do for a child with ASD/PDD, either besides or (preferably) in addition to ABA.

FEAT is, as it should be, single-minded in the fight for funding of ABA programs. As a parent, I decided that I cannot allow myself the luxury of such single-mindedness. Therefore I look also to ASBC as one forum where I might find more answers, hints, tips, suggestions … anything. Perhaps ASBC could do more to support ABA, but I believe their mandate calls for support in alternative areas as well. For ASBC to take on such a single-minded approach would be greatly disappointing.

On another topic altogether, I would greatly appreciate any advice on a suitable dentist (preferably in Coquitlam/Tri-Cities, but not necessarily) to which we can take our 4-yo mildly autistic son. This is one thing I think that will need some serious preparatory work with our ABA team.

Finally, with respect to disillusioned Anonymous, I've participated in a number of discussion groups over the years, and nastiness creeps into the best of them from time to time. It generally is a passing thing, as passions flare.

Perhaps it's a result of the impersonal nature of the typewritten word, and the ease with which sentiments can be mistaken. I do try (though not always successfully) to look past the emotions to the message being communicated; emotions are fleeting, but ideas persist.

All the best
Erik

[Deleted User]

Can anyone tell me how many years the government should fund my son's ABA program? Until he is "recovered"? Lovaas's study showed 47% of young children receiving ABA treatment recovered. Should the other 53% get 40 hours of one-on-one treatment for life????

Are the ABA methods used the same at age 3, at age 13, and at age 33? Are there comparative studies to back up the effectiveness of ABA when applied to older children and adults?

How will the recent changes to the ASBC board benefit or hurt individuals with autism?

Can anyone tell me if the new ASBC directors are going to represent the interests of adults with autism? Or the interests of families who earnestly tried ABA for several years, but found their child was in the 52% who don't recover? Will they represent the interests of the 80% of individuals with autism who have no connection to FEAT of BC?

Can anyone tell me if the new ASBC directors are going to focus on an exclusively ABA agenda? Will the ASBC newsletter only include FEATofBC approved content? Will there be a book burning in the ASBC parking lot of all non-ABA titles in the ASBC library?

Will ASBC money be used to pay for past lawsuits by FEATofBC members? Will ASBC money and resources be made available to FEAT of BC? Do the new ASBC directors plan to merge ASBC with FEATofBC? Will the new ASBC directors refuse further funding for ASBC from government? Is the plan to gut ASBC, then leave it to die in retaliation for opposing ABA treatment and for being useless? Are ASC and other provincial Autism Societies next?

These questions are out there. A lot of people including myself want to know what happens next?

[Deleted User]

To the person who wishes to post anonymously

lets review factualy

1. your right the FEAT board does have that option of protection.

2. you called me rude

3. Barbara is a mother whose child has been severely harmed by the government of British Columbia's neglect.

4. Barbara's son has not been helped in anyway by the ASBC which I understand claims they represent all children with ASD.

5. my analogies seem to bother you and you have interpreted fact as hostile action

6. Autism Societies although perhaps well meaning do not advocate for effective proven science based autism treatment in BC and Ontario, which would seem to violate some of their own mandate.

7. at a recent Federal meeting a member of the ASC actually suggested to the federal Health Minister that they should read the CCHOTA report regarding ABA, until thank goodness a professor in Health Sciences and Epidemiolgist for HC clearly objected and pointed out to the Federal Health Minister that the CCHOTA is flawed, inaccurate and based on evidence already discredited in court.

I am sorry that these points suggest to you that I am hostile and rude.
Those factual points aside, on a personal note, I am tired of an agency for Autism working against my son's right to effective treatment.
If everytime someone disagrees with you or has facts you may be unaware of, does that mean they too will be rude and hostile.
I have no problem to say my sign off was laced with a tad of sarcasim, an my apologies because as fact one clearly states and you were absolutely right, everyone has the right to post anonymously without threat of reprisal. But one also has the right to relay factual information.
best wishes,
Norrah Whitney whose son is about to lose his effective ABA treatment that is saving his life in exactly two weeks unless she can raise 26 thousand dollars.

[Deleted User]

You know…. I've been part of this discussion board for about 5 or 6 years…. and this past year I am a bit shaken by the thread of hostility (and racism a few months ago) that has woven into the tapestry that is FEATBC. Perhaps FEATBC is not the place for me.

I also want to point out… if a person wishes to post anonymously they have the right to do so. It is part of the options of this board. It is little wonder that one wants to post this way, because there are some very rude and hostile people here.

p.s. There is more than one way to skin a cat… Barbara was the pot calling the kettle black… and as it appears…. there are more pots out there.

[Deleted User]

For the person who wouldn't identify themselves – let's consider a few things.

The Right to Choose unproven therapies vs effective science based proven Autism Treatment.

When you hear of a person who denies their child a life saving blood transfusion for "religous" reasons and you know the outcome for the child without that will be grim or worse. You can't say you protest when the court and law enforcement and child protection agencies of the land intervene in the form of court action and get an order to overturn the parents wishes no matter their basis, religious, ignorance or otherwise.
The RIGHTS OF THE CHILD to the most effective medically necessary treatment for whatever their malady is superseed those of the parents.

Not only is the Canadian Government placing children with Autism on a different plain than any other Canadian child with afflictions/illness but so too are the PARENTS of children with Autism.

You help to perpetuate this notion that Autism should be treated differently and with less concern for law than other illness by you believing your rights are more important than your child's right to effective medical treatment.

Remember you do not OWN your child. They are an entity unto themselves and THEY DO have rights, and it is so so sad that misinformed parents continue to infringe the rights of their children.
What is worse is that the children protection agencies and law enforcment agencies turn a blind eye to this nationwide disparity.

" A place for an organization like this"
Whoever posted this perhaps you could help me with something. Could you contact Lisa Simmermon of the ASC and ask her to provide her peer review notes of the CCHOTA. In case you don't even know what that is, it is a technology document commissioned by the FEDS to "try" to pull apart the benefits of ABA, and the ASC helped assist the gov. to create a document now being used against children in Canada who want effective science based treatment.
There is a place for this organization alright…is it not enough that you do not lobby and advocate for the most effective treatment we have to date, do you actually have to work and participate in denying children access to that critical treatment?
I think it is a sad state of affairs when we have to " take over" an organization to stop detriment to innocent children who DO have rights.

oh and my name is Norrah that is N O R R A H

[David Bridges]

franca:

I second that motion!

dave b.

[Deleted User]

To: Anonymous contributors
I feel that anybody who wants to express an opinion (and everyone has the right to that!) in this discussion board should at least have the decency to identify themselves.
There is an axiom I live by: "Whenever you get information, consider the source."

[Deleted User]

Dear Anonymous #1 and #2,

What other organizations are you talking about? I am a member of the ASBC and I haven't yet found any other organization that has done anything for my autistic son. I know the ex-executive director of the ASBC, the same who is wanting signatures,and know that she too has an ABA program for her child. Why is it that she, who is apparently all knowing, happens to have an ABA program running for her child. She seems to think that it is "BEST PRACTISE" Too!!!!!!!!!

No one is against anyone having their own opinion, but at least be honest enough to look at he truth first. Your children deserve it!

[Author]

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