[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Mike & Jean]

Today's announcement by the CIHR (Canadian Institute for Health Research) does not address what our children most urgently need – access to proven, (not novel treatment strategies), science-based autism treatment which is ABA.

It is rather timely that today, Medicare for Autism Now! released episode 9 in our web-series, "Medicare's Orphans"

This episode features, Lia Marinoiu, who lives in Scarborough, Ontario. Lia's brother, Simon is 21 years old, has severe autism and has never received ABA intervention. She describes how untreated autism has defined and limited not only her brother's life – but her's as well. Take a look at what "novel treatment strategies" will do. This is a very powerful and timely interview which I encourage you all to watch and share.

The CIHR and everyone on their payroll and in their back-pocket should watch and listen to what this courageous young woman and new voter has to say.

Watch it at: http://www.medicareforautismnow

[Peter Wong]

Posted for Richmond Parents Group

Richmond ASBC Parents Group Meeting

"The Art of Friendship and the Science Behind It"

by

Anna Matchneva, M.Ed., BCBA, PEERS-Certified instructor

Anna has extensive experience in providing hands-on therapy for children with ASD, conducting functional assessment and developing behavior support plans, training and supervising intervention team staff, conducting skill assessment and developing programs that address each child's unique needs, developing and facilitating play and social groups, and conducting parent and professional workshops.

Anna is a PEERS-Certified instructor, under Dr Elizabeth Laugeson from UCLA.

TOPIC:
"The Art of Friendship and the Science Behind It"

Is your child having trouble making and keeping friends? Friendships are important in helping children develop emotionally and socially. In interacting with friends, children learn important social skills, such as how to communicate, cooperate, and solve problems. Some children, however, have difficulty forming friendships. The solution: teach your children specific social skills they need to connect with their peers. As parent, you are the best person to help your child solve friendship problems by expanding their peer network and working together to promote successful get-togethers.

PEERS (Program for the Evaluation and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is a parent-assisted intervention focusing on teens in middle school and high school who are having difficulty making or keeping friends. It is the developmental extension of an evidence-based program known as Children’s Friendship Training (Frankel & Myatt, 2003). PEERS has been field tested most extensively on teens with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), to a limited extent on teens with developmental disabilities and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), and has recently undergone testing with teens with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Date: Monday, Nov 26, 2012
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Tyee room at Steveston Community Centre – 4111 Moncton Street, Richmond

Coffee/Tea and snacks provided. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Please RSVP to Paul (richmond.asbc@gmail.com), so we can prepare for chairs, handouts & refreshments.

Paul & Camelia
(co-facilitators for ASBC Richmond Group)

[Stella Li]

Our ASBC Burnaby Support Group proudly presents: Strategies to Improve Language in Children with ASD by Jenny Gorton Sojat, M.A., SL-P(C) & Nicole Davies, M.Sc, R.SLP from the ABLE Developmental Clinic in our November meeting.

Date: Friday November 16, 2012
Time: 10am to 12noon
Venue: Studio, #301-3701 East Hastings, Burnaby (across from Autism Society of BC)

(Parking on Hastings or on the back streets, walk on Hastings from Boundary towards the east, you will see a long flight of stairs from street level, a few steps up from a red mailbox and a bus stop, go up the flight of long stairs from the street level to 3/F. Meeting held in the first office to the left)

TOPIC:
The presentation will cover the 'what' and 'how' of including speech pathology into your child's programming. We will start with the domains of language and social development, and will identify specific skills that can be difficult for children on the autism spectrum. We will then address potential goals for speech and language therapy, approaches to treatment, and ways an SLP might be involved with a multi-disciplinary team.

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Jenny Sojat, MA, SL-P(C), is a speech-language pathologist at the ABLE Developmental Clinic. She works primarily with children and families to foster social success at home and at school. Jenny also consults to families and school districts in northern B.C. and performs assessments for the Fraser Health Assessment Network. Prior to returning to Vancouver, she was an integral member of Teach Social Silicon Valley, previously known as the Centre for Social Thinking. Working closely with Michelle Garcia Winner, Jenny provided treatment for social and language deficits in clients with Asperger’s Syndrome and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Nicole Davies, M.Sc, R.SLP, is a speech-language pathologist at the ABLE Developmental Clinic. She got her B.A. from UBC and M.Sc. from the University of Alberta. She did some work for Calgary schools for a few years, and then moved here to join the ABLE team. She has a particular interest in working with children on the autism spectrum, and is most interested in working as a part of the home therapy team.

Coffee/tea and snack will be provided. Donation is much appreciated.

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca before November 13th. Thanks.

[Mike & Jean]

News from Medicare for Autism Now!

Check out the latest two extended interviews in our web-series: "Medicare's Orphans"

Episode 7: Stefan Marinoiu is a Toronto-area parent who came to Canada in 1980. In this powerful 26 minute interview, he describes the reality of living with a severely autistic child who has been denied treatment as a result of government's wilful neglect. He makes a clear-eyed assessment of today's politicians and make a compelling argument for why parents must be politically active.

Episode 8: Shelley Davis is a US based Behavioural Consultant who has consulted to BC families for the last 15 years. She is also a practicing attorney. She reviews two US laws – the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and how determined parent advocacy attained both. She describes the stark contrast in approach and delivery of autism treatment between California and BC. In her experience the only reason for improvements in BC was the result of the work and advocacy done by focused and dedicated parents. However, in her view, we're still at the very beginning of the process. We need to continue to work together and have high expectations because it is so easy for children with autism to be pushed aside.

See the film and web-series at: http://www.medicareforautismnow.org Share us on Facebook

[Bing Wang]

ABA Therapist required immediately in the Vancouver Joyce Collingwood area to work with a 3 year old boy who is recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS.

You will most likely work with our son in his preschool setting. Shift including Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings between 9-12pm. Shifts are flexible for the right person.

At least 1 years ABA treatment experience is required. Previous experience with preschool is an asset. Pay is commensurate with experience.

Applicants must:
– be responsible and energetic dealing with kids
– least 1 years of ABA therapy experience under BCBA supervision.
– be at least 19 years old
– have a clear criminal record check
– have reliable transportation
– be available to attend team meetings every other Thursday 8am.
– minimum one year commitment

Send resume and cover letter to tc_1015@hotmail.com.

Thank you!

[Sabrina Freeman]

Autism & Wandering: Common Sense Solutions

http://www.autismpundit.com/file/b42f6f90b2edc100aa178a60c3b45ae3-142.html

Please share with your social networks.

[Super Dad]

REMINDER FOR THIS TUESDAY…

North Shore ASBC Lecture Series

The North Shore ASBC Support Group proudly presents:

Strategies to Improve Language in Children with ASD

by
Jenny Gorton Sojat, M.A., SL-P(C)
Nicole Davies, M.Sc, R.SLP
ABLE Clinic

at
7:00pm, Tues Oct 16

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

TOPIC:

The presentation will cover the 'what' and 'how' of including speech pathology into your child's programming. We will start with the domains of language and social development, and will identify specific skills that can be difficult for children on the autism spectrum. We will then address potential goals for speech and language therapy, approaches to treatment, and ways an SLP might be involved with a multi-disciplinary team.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Jenny Sojat, MA, SL-P(C), is a speech-language pathologist at the ABLE Developmental Clinic. She works primarily with children and families to foster social success at home and at school. Jenny also consults to families and school districts in northern B.C. and performs assessments for the Fraser Health Assessment Network. Prior to returning to Vancouver, she was an integral member of Teach Social Silicon Valley, previously known as the Centre for Social Thinking. Working closely with Michelle Garcia-Winner, Jenny provided treatment for social and language deficits in clients with Asperger’s Syndrome and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Nicole Davies, M.Sc, R.SLP, is a speech-language pathologist at the ABLE Developmental Clinic. She got her B.A. from UBC and M.Sc. from the University of Alberta. She did some work for Calgary schools for a few years, and then moved here to join the ABLE team. She has a particular interest in working with children on the autism spectrum, and is most interested in working as a part of the home therapy team.

DIRECTIONS:

The West Vancouver Memorial Library is at 1950 Marine Drive:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=1950+Marine+Dr,+West+Vancouver,+BC+V7V+1J8

The library is easily accessible via Highway #1 Upper Levels, taking either the 15th Street or 20th St. exits.

Coffee/Tea and snacks provided. Donations are greatly appreciated (but not required).

Please RSVP to Dragos at <asbcnorthshore@yahoo.ca>.

Carol and Dragos
(Co-facilitators for ASBC North Shore Group)

[Stella Li]

We are pleased to offer part II of video presentation by Dr Tony Attwood on “Exploring Feelings: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage Anxiety, Sadness, and Anger” in our upcoming ASBC Burnaby Support Group meeting. Last month we showed Chapter 1 and Chapter 3, and we will complete Dr Attwood’s presentation by showing Chapter 2 this month.

Date: Friday October 26, 2012

Time: 10am to 12noon

Venue: Autism Society of BC, #303-3701 East Hastings, Burnaby

Speaker in video presentation: Dr Tony Attwood

Dr Tony Attwood is a world-renowned psychologist. Dr Attwood first became interested in autism spectrum disorder in 1971. Over the intervening years he has gained experience of the full range of the spectrum, from babies to the elderly, and from those whose abilities and behaviours are profoundly affected to those who are highly able, such as university professors. Later Dr Attwood became interested in Asperger's syndrome and in the recent decade has written more on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Theory of Mind, Special Interests and relationships where one partner has Asperger's syndrome. He is adjunct Associate Professor at Griffith University in Queensland and is responsible for the Child Psychopathology course at the University and supervise postgraduate students at his clinic in Brisbane. Dr Attwood was married to Sarah in 1977. They have three children, Rosie (who got married in 2004), William and Caroline, and currently live in Brisbane, Australia.

Topic: “Exploring Feelings: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage Anxiety, Sadness, and Anger”

*Chapter 2: Demystifying Emotion – Affective Education and Cognitive Restructuring(1-hour video + discussion and parent connections)

Dr Attwood offers important advice on:

-Assessing emotional needs (Chapter 1)

-Avoiding and correcting misinterpretation of emotion (Chapter 1 & 2)

-Building self-esteem and improving self-awareness (Chapter 2)

-Managing anxiety, depression, and anger (Chapter 2 & 3)

-Defining and discussing physical, social, sensory and other “tools”, and how to use these tools from the “Tool Box” to manage emotions (Chapter 3)

We may show these chapters again after the meeting (12:00-2pm) if participants are interested:

*Chapter 1: Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Assessment of Anxiety, Depression and Anger

*Chapter 3: Creating an Emotion Management Tool Box

Handouts, coffee/tea and snack will be provided. Donation is much appreciated.

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca ASAP due to limited seats. Thanks.

[Les Elton]

An interesting read, this is current Autism Research data.

ABSTRACT: The number of children ages 6 to 21 in the United States receiving special education services under the autism disability category increased 91% between 2005 to 2010 while the number of children receiving special education services overall declined by 5%. The demand for special education services continues to rise in disability categories associated with pervasive developmental disorders. Neurodevelopment can be adversely impacted when gene expression is altered by dietary transcription factors, such as zinc insufficiency or deficiency, or by exposure to toxic substances found in our environment, such as mercury or organophosphate pesticides. Gene expression patterns differ geographically between populations and within populations. Gene variants of paraoxonase-1 are associated with autism in North America, but not in Italy, indicating regional specificity in gene-environment interactions. In the current review, we utilize a novel macroepigenetic approach to compare variations in diet and toxic substance exposure between these two geographical populations to determine the likely factors responsible for the autism epidemic in the United States.

http://ctdbase.org/detail.go;jsessionid=ED9E0C4232E90F79D57BB4C98ED8FA1B?type=reference&acc=22490277

[Super Dad]

North Shore ASBC Lecture Series

The North Shore ASBC Support Group proudly presents:

Strategies to Improve Language in Children with ASD

by
Jenny Gorton Sojat, M.A., SL-P(C)
Nicole Davies, M.Sc, R.SLP
ABLE Clinic

at
7:00pm, Tues Oct 16

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

TOPIC:

The presentation will cover the 'what' and 'how' of including speech pathology into your child's programming. We will start with the domains of language and social development, and will identify specific skills that can be difficult for children on the autism spectrum. We will then address potential goals for speech and language therapy, approaches to treatment, and ways an SLP might be involved with a multi-disciplinary team.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Jenny Sojat, MA, SL-P(C), is a speech-language pathologist at the ABLE Developmental Clinic. She works primarily with children and families to foster social success at home and at school. Jenny also consults to families and school districts in northern B.C. and performs assessments for the Fraser Health Assessment Network. Prior to returning to Vancouver, she was an integral member of Teach Social Silicon Valley, previously known as the Centre for Social Thinking. Working closely with Michelle Garcia-Winner, Jenny provided treatment for social and language deficits in clients with Asperger’s Syndrome and other Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Nicole Davies, M.Sc, R.SLP, is a speech-language pathologist at the ABLE Developmental Clinic. She got her B.A. from UBC and M.Sc. from the University of Alberta. She did some work for Calgary schools for a few years, and then moved here to join the ABLE team. She has a particular interest in working with children on the autism spectrum, and is most interested in working as a part of the home therapy team.

DIRECTIONS:

The West Vancouver Memorial Library is at 1950 Marine Drive:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=1950+Marine+Dr,+West+Vancouver,+BC+V7V+1J8

The library is easily accessible via Highway #1 Upper Levels, taking either the 15th Street or 20th St. exits.

Coffee/Tea and snacks provided. Donations are greatly appreciated (but not required).

Please RSVP to Dragos at <asbcnorthshore@yahoo.ca>.

Carol and Dragos
(Co-facilitators for ASBC North Shore Group)

[Author]

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