[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Deleted User]

Just wanted to add my voice to the disapproval of therapists who overcharge.

I've been an ABA therapist for 2 years, and I've only worked with one child. I by no means consider myself experienced enough, and I certainly would not presume to set my own pay scale! I'm not experienced or educated enough in the field to consider myself a true professional. In fact, the only work I will likely be setting a pay scale for in the next five years will be music therapy services, once I've completed my schooling and get accredited!

I'm moving to Vancouver at the end of August (if you haven't contacted me before now, please don't, because I think I'll have to say a definite 'no', much as I hate to do so), and I'm expecting to be paid whatever the parents of the children I work with can afford. (Hopefully that won't mean FREE, since I do need to be able to pay for food and rent and all that other fun stuff…)

With something like ABA, where it is actually not TOO hard to learn to do (by this I mean that you don't have to have a degree in it to be a therapist – obviously you should in order to be a consultant, and it wouldn't be a bad idea in lead or senior therapists, either), line therapists should really watch what they say – comments like the one Michelle quoted at the beginning of her post could end up getting a therapist blacklisted, yes?

-Janna (ABA therapist; hopeful music therapist)

[Deleted User]

Hello everyone,

Its come to my attention through talking to several new parents setting up programs that there are some so called experienced therapists out there who are charging incredibly high rates per hour despite their actual lack of knowledge or experience. One parent was told when she said that she could not afford to pay $20 an hour that there were other families that would and that they were lining up for this therapists services.

There are some fantastic therapists out there who charge $15, $20, $25 for their qualifications as a SENIOR therapists. I have one who works with my children and she is worth every penny. HOwever therapists like her are few and far between.

Please do not be bullied into thinking that if someone has worked in this field they are necessarily worth large sums of money. Call their references. CHeck them out thoroughly. A good therapist can accomplish a lot with your child, but a bad therapist, no matter how well they talk the talk, and how great their intentions, can do serious damage to your program, your team and most importantly your child.

Its easy to feel desperate when wanting to get your program up and running. Don't let a therapist take advantage of this.

Some of the best therapists I've had, the most energetic, most devoted to my children and the easiest to work with started out green – no experience. Starting from scratch is daunting but not as difficult as having to re-start because the so-called qualified, highly experienced person who charges a lot has steered you in the wrong direction.

New parents looking for information on finding, hiring and training new therapists, use this web site, come to our meetings, those of us with experience are here to help

Michelle (mother of Breanna and Griffen, both is Lovaas ABA programs and making wonderful progress)

[Sabrina Qualizza]

THERAPISTS NEEDED We're looking for an energetic, motivated and patient individual preferably with experience to work in a Lovaas method behavioral therapy program at home. You will be working one-on-one with a nine year-old boy who is verbal, intelligent, and affectionate. We are looking for 2-3 sessions a week and you must be able to commit at least one year. We are located in the Coquitlam/Burnaby area. Pay negotiable based on experience. We use Lisa Wincz as our consultant and the next workshop will be sometime in July. Please call Peter or Sabrina at 936-5537 or email: squalizza@hotmail.com

[Sabrina Freeman]

Hi all!

I’ve recently found out more about the lecture we are hearing at the FEAT meeting this Wednesday at 7:30 PM at St. Francis-in-the-wood.

Before I give you the info., I’d just like to say that it will be rare for us to bring in someone this well-known and significant in the research world in autism, so here’s your chance to be plugged in to the state of the science in autism research. Dr. Holden will be at the medical genetics department at Women’s and Children’s Hospital prior to our evening lecture, so any physician FEAT parents out there may want to meet up with Dr. Holden there.

Anyway, here’s a synopsis of the research project Dr. Holden will be discussing:

Unraveling the Mystery of Autism: From Genetics to Prospective Identification and Prevention

Jeanette J.A. Holden, PhD, FCCMG (Principal investigator)
autism@post.queensu.ca
http://www.autismresearch.ca
July 2001

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication, and stereotypic activities, and affect at 1/250-1/500 children. A group of more than 60 researchers, clinicians, and parents from Canada and the US have formed the Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Team (ASD-RT), an interdisciplinary group of investigators with a broad range of expertise & a mandate to undertake research that will result in a better understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and effects of treatment of persons with ASD. The ultimate aims of our research program are to develop methods for very early identification of children at risk, and intervene by appropriate means to prevent overt symptoms of autism. To achieve these goals, we are undertaking the following projects: 1) An Epidemiology study, in which families with individuals with ASD are invited to participate in a Research Registry, with participants being invited to take part in an array of surveys, questionnaires, and genetic studies; 2) A Genetics study, involving families with two or more affected individuals, aimed at identifying genetic factors, as well as phenotypic differences (classical clinical features, neuroimaging, early developmental features) and behavioural characteristics (from retrospective videotape analyses and current behavioural assessments) which, when combined, will lead to an understanding of the biological basis for ASDs; and 3) a Prospective Study, aimed at identifying very early signs of ASD (i.e. by 6 months of age) and effective means of treatment. The combined results of the projects should lead to a better understanding of ASD, both etiologically and neurodevelopmentally.

[Karen Anthony]

We have read the recent (June 28th, 2001) posting on this discussion board informing FEAT members of the EXCITING and INTRIGUING guest speaker, Dr. Jeanette Olsen (Director of the Cytogenetics and DNA Research Lab at Queen's University) to present on July 4th at 7:30 pm.

Much to our disappointment we are unable to attend, as we live in Victoria and the expense and timing are not condusive to our situation.

If it is at ALL possible may someone video tape this presentation for us? This is assuming permission from the speaker and organizer would be obtained.

What a wonderful gesture this would be.

Sincerely,

Karen and Andre Anthony
(We are the parents of Ryan, who is on a Lovaas-type program)

e-mail to andre.anthony@nrc.ca

[helpjames]

We are in the process of setting up a WEAP workshop at SFU
that is tentatively dated Oct. 6. To ensure this workshop
is a success we are in need of parent volunteers! If
interested please call Liz at 277-4720
e-mail joe_hummel@telus.net

[Sabrina Freeman]

Hi Everyone. Great news!

We are VERY lucky to have Dr. Jeanette Holden — Director of the Cytogenetics and DNA Research Laboratory at Queen's University — give a talk to FEAT BC members on Wednesday, July 4th.

Dr. Holden is the lead researcher of a Canada-wide research project on autism. Her lab has been given a substantial amount of research funds from the Federal government to do research on the cause of autism, among other things. I will update you as I learn more about the project.

I know everyone is very busy with the beginning of summer, etc., but this is likely one of the most worthwhile talks you will hear this year.

Dr. Holden will be presenting her talk free of charge to FEAT BC members.

Date: July 4th, 2001
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: St. Francis-in-the-wood (map available on the FEAT website: https://www.featbc.org and go to the parent group meeting page).

[Peter McConnell]

Please note that the next FEAT BC parent group meeting will be on Wednesday, June 27th, at 7:30pm at St. Francis in the Woods in West Vancouver. A map is available on the web: https://featbc.org/downloads/map.pdf. Topic is ASAT Conference held on March 8-10. New parents are welcome. Please pass on information.

[Linda Cucek]

Hi, Its Linda Cucek, I will be on BCTV on
Channel (11 at 11:00) on the News tonight-
Regarding the Health Care Services.

Regards,

James' Mom Linda Cucek

[Deleted User]

This email has been sent to you by Mark Doyle
The following is a news item posted on CBC NEWS ONLINE
at http://cbc.ca/news
____________________________________________________
FAMILES PROTEST REMOVAL OF AUTISTIC SON
WebPosted Tue Jun 19 19:47:35 2001

ST. HUBERT, QUE.–Parents of autistic children in Quebec held a rally
outside the home of an autistic man in St. Hubert who will be separated
from his family by court order.

Last week a Quebec Superior Court judge ordered the Stuart family to put
their 22-year-old son Harold into a psychiatric hospital for a year.

That came after the local rehabilitation worker said the family couldn't
take care of him adequately. Harold is said to be a difficult, sometimes
violent, patient.

Family members say they are devastated by the ruling and insist they can
look after Harold. His father Brian says the psychiatric hospital will
simply drug and restrain him.

They want the government to give them more support so they can take care
of him at home.

Provincial and national lobby groups agree. They say institutionalizing
autism patients can cost a fortune and the money should be given to
families who would rather care for their children themselves.

Copyright © 2000 CBC All Rights Reserved

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