[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi:

The book I think you are asking about is the one put out by the New York State Department of Health. The one I have is called

'Clinical Practice Guideline
Report of the Recommendations
Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders'

It doesn't have all the data in it just the facts and statements about each treatment. A real easy read and clear and simple. It was 10.00 US.

The other book is bigger and has the technical stuff in it and it's called
'Clinical Practice Guideline: The Guideline Technical Report' I think it's about 15.00 US

You can call and order by Mastercard or Visa at
Health Education Services in Albany New York
Phone – 518-439-7286

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

[Deleted User]

Over the last couple years FEAT has sponsored an ABA training workshop held by the CEE. I was just wondering whether there was going to be a similar workshop this year, and if so, who was going to be presenting.

Also, there was a book published a couple years ago, which outlined the research on all the major Autism treatments. I am wondering what the title of this book was, and where I could get a copy.

[Maureen St. Cyr]

1) Being one of the "few families with experience with ABA programs and…Giant Steps" does not make one an expert on either ABA, Giant Steps, or autism spectrum disorder.

2) There is no accepted scientific evidence that dietary or sensory integration "therapy" has any effect on children suffering from autism. There is evidence that both concepts are hokum. I'm thrilled that your children have responded to a change in diet, if indeed that is what they responded to. In most cases where glutin or casein diets or SIT or AIT or any other non-proven, often-discredited theories have been asserted by parents to have any effect, those parents, like yourselves, were also running scientifically-proven ABA therapy programs. Mistaking coincidence for cause-and-effect is one of the biggest mistakes in science.

3) The number of global conflicts whose root cause is religious difference is irrelevant.

4) The fact that Giant Steps is not exclusionary of other perspectives is also irrelevant. The "throw everything against the wall and see what sticks" approach to therapy is inefficient and wastes what precious little development time we have in which to help our children.

5) There is ample evidence to suggest that children with autism progress much faster and more efficiently when surrounded by their typically-developing peers, and progress much less when segregated with peers who are similarly afflicted. This I know to be true by personal experience, although of course, like you Rob, my experience is limited to my own child, and cannot be extrapolated to all children with autism. It should be noted, however, that the data responsibly collected thus far supports my assertion.

6) Yes, we all are trying to help our children. Yes, we should work together. No, that does not mean blindly acceding to public acceptance or turning a blind eye towards groups whose philosophies, goals and methods are or may be antithetical to helping our children. I respect your right to send your children to Giant Steps. I also think you are making a grave mistake, but that is your prerogative and I would not encroach on it. I will also not encroach on the prerogative of any parent to voice their own views on the subject.

7) I have looked at your website as suggested. It is long on jargon, vague promises, and assertions, and extremely short on science. If you and your group have scientific proof that your methods are efficacious in helping our children, I would urge you to put those on the web site.

Avery
Ariel's Dad

[Deleted User]

Hi Folks

I was very surprised to hear that Giant Steps was referred to as a "babysitting service" on the recent Bill Good show by a representative of FEAT BC. I did not hear it myself, but several families from Giant Steps have mentioned this to me, so I am assuming that this actually did happen.

I guess we are one of the few families here in B.C. with experience with in-home ABA programs (we have two children with autism and have been running ABA programs for over three years) AND with direct knowledge of Giant Steps (our older son attends this year, our younger will also attend next year). I am a firm believer in ABA, but unlike some, do not think it is the ONLY thing that can help our kids. I feel it is an important part of the solution, but not the entire solution. Giant Steps takes intensive one-on-one therapy to another level, incorporating diet, sensory integration, OT, speech etc. The diet alone has made a HUGE difference for our kids. In fact, many of the principles of ABA are utilized by the Giant Steps program – because they work!

Referring to Giant Steps as a "babysitting service" could only have been made by somebody who does not have any direct knowledge of what Giant Steps is all about. There is just no other explanation that makes logical sense. It also smacks of a "there is only one God and that God is Allah" mentality. Do you realize how many of the worlds major conflicts are because of this kind of attitude? This kind of exclusionary attitude belongs back in the 15th century, not here in the 21st century.

I am very pleased that the vision of Giant Steps does not exclude other perspectives. I am very disappointed that a representative of the FEAT group chose to refer to Giant Steps in this manner. I think this kind of attitude puts a stain on the integrity of the FEAT group, and on the autism community in general.

Please, lets work together, not fight amongst ourselves. I know deep in all our hearts, the goal is the same, its about helping our kids.

Rob (Eric and Chris' Dad)

P.S. If you wish to learn more about Giant Steps Vancouver, have a look at our website. Its not yet complete, but it certainly has some good information about the program. You can find it at http://www.giantstepsvancouver.bc.ca

[Peter McConnell]

FINAL CHANGE: Please note that the next FEAT BC Parent Group meeting has been changed to Wednesday, May 30th at 7:30pm at St. Francis in the Woods in West Vancouver. Please ignore previous changes. A map is available on the web at https://featbc.org/downloads/map.pdf
Topic: ASAT Conference held on March 8-10. Paper presented by Tristram Smith, PhD: Behavioral Treatment: What to do when children progress slowly? New parents are welcome. Please pass on information.

[Peter McConnell]

Please note that the next FEAT BC Parent Group meeting will be on Wednesday, May 23rd, NOT May 16th, due to the provincial election. Meeting will start at 7:30pm at St. Francis in the Woods in West Vancouver. A map is available on the web at https://featbc.org/downloads/map.pdf
Topic: ASAT confernece held on March 8-10. Paper presented by Tristram Smith, PhD: Behavioral Treatment: What to do when children progress slowly?
New parents are welcome. Please pass on information.

[Shanan Rice]

Just a Quick note to parents.
Tomorrow, on CKNW (radio AM 980) at 1pm,
Bill Good will be talking to 2 parents, Bill Rice
and Debora Antifaev, about their struggles
with Autism and our government. Don't forget
to tune in, and if the opportunity arises, call the
program and show your support.

[Sharon Baxter]

Catherine Maurice, Gina Green and Richard Foxx have edited a new book called "Making A Difference: Behavioural Intervention for Autism". This is the follow-up volume to "Behavioural Intervention for Young Children with Autism" edited by Catherine Mauice. Pro-ed is the publisher, the book can be ordered by calling 512-451-3246, it costs $36.00 US.

I have a copy of the social skills program developed by Dr. Bridget Taylor included in this book. It is very useful for children of all ages and developmental levels. It looks like a good book to add to the library!

Sharon

[Peter McConnell]

I have tried to contact Mary Price at WEAP and have not heard back from her. Does anybody know another person from WEAP who returns email or phone calls? Sabrina, do you know?
thanks,
Anna & Peter
Henry's parents

[George Spencer]

Hi,Iam a parent of child with autism, I have heard about Dr.Carbone worshop's.Did anyone have gone to see his workshops, so can give me any idea?
My e-mail is : georges_spencer@yahoo.com
Thanx.
George

[Author]

Replies