[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

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[Dione Costanzo]

NEW COQUITLAM NETWORK

The ABA Support Network is an organization of families and professionals educating and supporting families about Applied Behavioral Analysis and its’ application as a treatment for autism. The ABA Support Network seeks to strengthen our community across British Columbia by building local networks so that families can connect with other families in their own neighborhoods.

Our Mission: To improve access to quality Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) treatment and support in the home and in the community for children, youth and adults with autism.

ABA SUPPORT NETWORK – New Coquitlam Network

When: Wednesday, March 13th.
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Where: Place Millardville 1200 Cartier
Ave Coquitlam, BC V3K 2C3
R.S.V.P. to Jodie jbtwickens@gmail.com

The first meeting will be a presentation about the history and success of the ABA Support Worker program in the Surrey District (SD36) Nancy Walton (Parent, Teacher) and Leah Mumford, M. Ed. (Behavior Consultant).

Let’s embark on a journey of parents helping parents in our community!

Learn more about us here:

http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hi Again FEATers,

I need help doing my taxes.
Badly.
(More than one years' worth.)

Live in Vancouver but would travel to see someone who knows the ins and outs of Autism.
If you have a tax person you like PLEASE message me at: cathy.fitzhugh@gmail.com

Thanks in advance,

{Cathy}

[Dione Costanzo]

ABA SUPPORT NETWORK – Neighborhood Network Update

These "Neighborhood Network" groups have been meeting monthly, providing support to new parents and sharing information and experience on various topics.

Please contact any of these facilitators if you are interested in attending a meeting.

All meetings are open to parents from all locations!

Holly at hkorstad@gmail.com – facilitator of Cloverdale/Langley group which meets every month. They are meeting Wed. Feb 20 at 8pm

Jen at jantic@telus.net – facilitator of Central/North Surrey group which meets every month. They are meeting Thurs Feb 21 at 7:00pm

Roxanne at bradrox@shaw.ca – facilitator of South Surrey/White Rock group which meets every month. Next meeting is Thurs. Feb. 28 at 7:00. Roxanne is coordinating with the ABA Advisory to have Katherine Remidios of SD36 at this meeting to discuss the process of ABA kids transitioning into K.

NEW COQUITLAM GROUP will be launching in March with a presentation about the history and success of ABA in the Surrey School System. Please contact Jodi at jbtwickens@gmail.com if you are interested in this group. Date, time, location yet to be determined.

All meetings are posted on our online calendar here http://abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php and on our Facebook events page.

We also post ASBC meetings and sponsored events as well as ABA related conferences in BC.

Parents helping parents!!

[Angela Griffin]

Melissa, email me at angelalala @telus.net. I live in North Van and would love to chat with you!

[Stella Li]

Harmony House CARES, a local non-profit ABA agency which provides

* Home based early intervention and
* Group based social and academic learning at our centre location,

is very excited to announce the first of our parent speaker series which will commence

Tuesday Feb 26th 6:30-8:30PM at our centre location in the Surrey Christian Primary school.

The topic for this night is 'Autism Throughout the Years: the journey of one parent/advocate from preschool to early adulthood".

Please go to our website at http://www.harmonyhousebc.ca and look under ABOUT US for the flyer, marked Feb info night.

Please do RSVP for a spot at hhschoolteam@gmail.com

Thank you
Harmony House CARES

[Jenn Ralph]

Hi Melissa,
I'd be happy to meet with you. I live in South Surrey but work several days each week in Vancouver so I can come to you.
You can email me at jenn.ralph@shaw.ca privately and we can organize details.
I remember what it was like when my daughter was first diagnosed so I understand what you are going through….many of us do and can certainly help.
For organized support groups and other great info check out
http://Www.abasupportnetwork.com
I also know that there is a monthly group with a speaker in North Van / West Van regularly – keep checking this board for messages about those.
Hang in there:-)
Jenn

[Melissa Biggs-Immonen]

Hi there,

My son was recently diagnosed with PDD NOS and I'm looking for a support group. I don't drive and am very limited for time, so would need it to be close to home: either close to downtown Vancouver or North or West Vancouver.

I've looked on the lists online (ACT, etc.), but still have not found one in my area.

Or if anyone wants to grab a coffee and listen/talk, trade stories & info, that works too.

We found out just before Christmas and since then I've only confided in my closest friends/family. They're very supportive, but somehow, I feel like I haven't told anyone.. I'm going crazy and need someone to talk to who can relate.

Thanks so much
Melissa

[Dione Costanzo]

Special Presentation – “Taxes and Autism”

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 22, 7:00-9:00PM

Special Guest Speaker – Dave Taylor

Dave Taylor is the parent of a child with autism and has been administering a home based ABA program for 8 years.

Dave has done extensive research into the financial side of managing an ABA team and has gathered information on all kinds of issues from his own experiences and from feedback from other parents.

Some of the topics that Dave will cover during this meeting are:
• The *new* Family Care Giver Amount tax credit
• Disability Tax Credit
• Medical Expenses
• Federal tax credits and tips for tax time

This is a must-see presentation for anyone that is running or thinking of setting up a home based ABA program. The content of this presentation applies to programs for individuals from pre-diagnosis to age 18.

Here are what some parents are saying about Dave’s presentation:

“Dave Taylor really made it clear to us the importance of keeping our records organized. He has great tips and resources for parents”

"I have been to this talk 3 times and each time I learn something new and critical. Much appreciated!!!"

“The “tax man” can be so confusing and Dave helped us to clarify funding and tax information that autism parents need to know.”

“Whether you have been running an ABA program for a month or 10 years – this presentation is invaluable to ALL parents.”

“Great information – thank you Dave! We have so much more confidence that we are getting the most out of our therapy dollars now.”

Topic: Taxes and Autism
Date: Friday February 22
Time: 7:-9pm
Location: Best Western Peace Arch Inn (downstairs meeting room)
2293 King George Hwy, Surrey, BC V4A 5A4
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com PLEASE RSVP so that we know how many people are attending this popular event. Thank you!!

[Anne-Maree Fortes]

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for academic/fine motor products, games, toys, software etc that your kindergarten/grade 1 child has found particularly useful, rewarding or stimulating?

I know its a broad question, but just hoping for some ideas for new stuff. My son functions well with an SSW, and has significant language delay and poor fine motor skills. He loves his ABA sessions & school!

I've asked our consultant and team, but thought I'd reach out to this awesome group too and see what other ideas I get.

Anything in particular from http://www.flaghouse.ca/default.asp
or
http://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?minisite=10224 , or any other websites/stores you can suggest?

Thanks
Anne-Maree

amfortes.elijah@gmail.com

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hi Again FEATers,

Reposting with my e-mail address. (Thanks Nancy!)
Please reply to:
cathy.fitzhugh@gmail .com

I have two recent issues that have arisen with my daughter and was hoping for your always wise and helpful suggestions and feedback. (She is high-functioning, and is ten years old but has a lot of physical challenges.)

The first issue is that her need for oral stimulation have skyrocketed to the point where she constantly has to have something in her mouth. Gum used to solve this problem, but now she is just swallowing her gum. Once the gum is gone, she chews and sucks on her clothing, or if given, will chew on a Chewy Tube. (A few months ago her dentist asked us to stop using the tubes as he thought they might me shifting her teeth around.)

She has also developed sores on the inside of her cheeks that she chews on or rubs with her tongue, and that cause her pain when eating and also pain when we try to brush her teeth. The gum was great, but without it, at school, her speech is difficult to understand and the tubes are just channeling drool all over her desk. It's very worrisome and I'm feeling overwhelmed.

I'm assuming it's a sign that she's feeling an increase in anxiety and am considering raising her dose of Fluoxetine/ Prozac (which is currently at 10 MG a day.)

The other issue has to do with her being an early riser. A very early riser. She goes to bed around 8:00PM always wakes up at around 5:00-6:00 in the morning. She will usually make her way to the computer and keep herself relatively busy until we get up, but I'd rather NOT have her start the day with hours of obsessive computer time, plus, I'm thinking it might possibly be motivating her to get out of bed, but I'm not sure what else she can do or how she can keep herself busy so we can continue to sleep at least until 6:30 or 7:00.

Anyone else dealing with early risers?

Thanks in advance VERY MUCH for any input.
There's a lot going on these days.

Sincerely,

{Cathy}

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