[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[David Chan]

Well, Tanja,

All I can say is that we've been there done that, got the t-shirt and the video.

Our son was diagnosed just when our daughter was born. So it was really yucks and chuckles trying to set up a program and have a newborn in our house.

You more or less described my son. NO impulse control, language delays… The eating was a bit better, but no feedback, so ate till he puked. It was good times all around

Fast forward 13 years continuing ABA therapy, two law suits, Auton, and Hewko, We're here.

Battered but not broken.

Kid graduated from regular high school, learning to take the bus on his own, Won't burn the house down alone at home. Can stay at home with sis for a few hours.

Moral of the story, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it's not a train. Hard work, perseverance, it's well, not awful.

So Fight the good fight, you are not alone, we've walked this road before you, and hopefully we've cleared a few of the weeds and the underbrush.

It's hard to believe right now, but at some point it does get a little better… and sometimes it sucks like a hoover. But with therapy, and some concerted effort we'd like to think that it's more good than bad.

It's so unfair to have to fight a two front war. It's not bad enough to have to help a kid that has Autism, but you gotta deal with adults that simply don't get it, or not really interested in getting it. Then again if life were fair for everyone, I'd be living in Fukushima Japan, trying on lead shorts.

So as it were, fight the good fight.

Dave
Mr. P's Dad (FEAT'er since about 1996)

[T. Chiao]

This is a message for Dave Chan.

My name is Tina Chiao and my 2.5 year old son has autism. I am looking to build our support network in Richmond and would love to have the chance to chat with you.

My email is: tchiao@hotmail.com

Please kindly contact me at your convenience.

Thank you.

[Barbara Rodrigues]

To All Parents – Especially new parents!
Things have not always been so easy for the under 6 set – it was through sacrifice and battle that the funds you now receive so easily were won through the courts. Many years before my son was not so lucky – I was cut off from all funding –not once but twice – I walked a picket line for over 100 days in protest and to fight for funding for my son and all kids with autism. Today things are better – but it’s not guaranteed and when you venture into the school system – as we have seen with current events – things can go downhill quickly.
When I started this journey – I was a very shy and quiet person – I had to learn the hard way and with a lot of mistakes along the way how to effectively fight for the rights of my child. I had a lot of help from Sabrina Freeman and Jean Lewis. The first 3 weeks on the picket line – I cried I was so scared and so outraged at having to do this for my 4 year old severely affected autistic son. It took over 100 days and 1 ½ years to restore my funding for 6 months when then the Government cut us off again for another year. So please realize nothing is set in stone – they did it once – they may do again.
You parents have the opportunity to learn a great deal at this workshop – and to have more tools – and more ammunition/skills in order to effectively fight for your child. You may not need these tools now – but trust me – you will need them at some point – there is a long road ahead for both you and your child. Battles will have to be fought as we have seen in the recent news stories. If not battles then standards set for what you expect and your child deserves.
Please take this rare opportunity to learn one of the most important things you need to move ahead on this journey of autism that you share with your child – learn how to advocate for them. I am sure you would fight for to death for your child but this workshop gives you the skills and guidance to do that effectively and to take the raw emotion that we as parents dealing with incompetence find hard to do. Please attend this workshop – you will not regret that you did.

Barbara Rodrigues

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke

Going in circles trying to get what your child needs?

If so – circle the date – Saturday, April 30th

The Medicare for Autism Now! Society presents:
“Getting it Done!”
…an “on-the-job * hands-on * this is how you do it”

Advocacy Workshop

Presenters: Jean Lewis and David Marley – founding directors of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society
and..
Guest speaker: Paul Caune, founder and executive director of Civil Rights Now!

Topics will include:

Advocacy 101

“It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.”

As the parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others!
Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. It also requires certain skills:

This workshop will teach you how to:

• Gather facts, organize information, get ready
• Understand the Rules of the Game
• Plan and prepare for success
• Document, document, document
• Ask the right questions…listen to the answers
• Identify problems and propose solutions
• Drive the process

Advocacy at School

“A good education is the next best thing to a pushy mother.” Charles Schulz

This workshop will teach you how to:

• Become your child’s case manager
• Understand your school district’s Rules of the Game…who are the players and decision makers?
• Overcome objections and pitfalls
• Design an effective IEP
• Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
• Prepare for and manage school meetings
• Understand and use the Hewko decision

Autism treatment funding – securing its
future:

The landmark Auton decision is the only reason any autism funding exists today. This funding is in jeopardy because there is no statute law to protect it. The decision to continue funding or not can be made on a whim by provincial politicians.

• Learn the history of the fight to have medically necessary autism treatment universally accessible and covered by Medicare.
• Learn why we need a Canadians with Disabilites Act and an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• Learn about recent and future initiatives to enshrine autism treatment under Medicare
• Learn why your children need you to get involved

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We promise you have never had this much fun in the school principal’s office. Several “guest players” will help us create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills.

Register today – don’t miss out, limited spaces available.

Saturday, April 30th _ 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Burnaby Heritage Village Carousel Activity Room
6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby BC

$119.00 per person/$189.00 per couple – lunch included

*All proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives

To register: Email: mfanow@gmail.com or call 604-290-5737

About the presenters:

Jean Lewis:
Jean has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system.

In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

David Marley:
David has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions.

Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society.

Guest speaker: Paul Caune
Paul is the founder and executive director of Civil Rights Now! which is a non-partisan, all volunteer, not-for-profit society which advocates for public policy changes which will provide British Columbians with disabilities with equal access to the equality provisions of our Charter. He is also a board member of Medicare for Autism Now!

,

[Stella Li]

The ASBC Burnaby Support Group proudly presents:

Learning Social Thinking in a Group Setting:
Results of the Summer Social Camp 2010

by
Jenny Gorton, M.A., SLP
Kathryn Theroux, M.S., RCC
ABLE Development Clinic

on

Friday, May 6th 10am-12noon

at the
Studio, #301 – 3701 East Hastings, Burnaby (across the Autism Society of BC)

at the north east corner on Hastings and Boundary, close to the bus stop and a red mail box, a few steps up to find a long staircase from ground level to 3/F. Parking: on Hastings or the back streets.

GUEST SPEAKERS:
Jenny Gorton, MA, SL-P(C), is a speech-language pathologist at the ABLE Developmental Clinic. She works primarily with children, teenagers and families to foster social success at home and at school. Jenny also consults to families and school districts to perform assessments for the Fraser Health Assessment Network. Prior to returning to Vancouver, Jenny worked closely with Michelle Garcia Winner to provide treatment for clients with social and language deficits (mostly on the Autism Spectrum), at the Teach Social Silicon Valley (previously known as the Centre for Social Thinking).

Kathryn Theroux, MS, RCC, is a clinical counsellor, behavior consultant, and intern at ABLE Developmental Clinic. She is also a part of ABLE’s autism diagnostic team. During the school year, Kathryn supports families to set goals and treatment plans that help parents, teachers, and students to work well together. She works with children with special needs to increase skills and reduce problem behaviors. She is a firm believer in evidence-based practice and data-based decision-making.

TOPIC:
The presentation will provide a summary of what was taught at the Summer Social Camp 2010.
http://www.summersocial.ca

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

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca before May 2nd, to help us set up venue and prepare handouts and refreshments.

[Mike & Jean]

Hello everyone,

Today, we launched our new and improved website – http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

One of the reasons we've done this now is to help and encourage parents and supporters to participate in the current federal election.

We agree with Get Your Vote On when they say, "The world is run by those who show up…"

To further the cause of Medicare coverage for science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) we suggest you:

1. Go to http://www.medicareforautsimnow.org click on Support Us and sign the on-line petition.

2. Click on Election 2011, find your candidates, ask them the question, and most importantly post their responses on the
our message board.

Please forward this email and website information along to others and, if you have one, "like it and share it" on your Facebook page.

Election day is three weeks from today – May 2nd. The time to take action is right now!

If you have any questions about canvassing candidates, please contact us at mfanow@gmail.com

[David Chan]

Chutzpah (pronounced /hoots-pah) is the quality of audacity, for good or for bad. The word derives from the Hebrew word , meaning "insolence", "audacity", and "impertinence." The modern English usage of the word has taken on a broader meaning, having been popularized through vernacular use in film, literature, and television. The word has also been able to be interpreted as meaning the amount of spunk or ability that an individual has.

When it comes to advocating for your kid, the bureaucracy is counting on you not to have any of the above.

Just having the Chutzpah isn't enough. You need to act in a systematic, dispassionate way to get what you want. This is where Jean Lewis comes in.

Advocacy 101

“It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.”

As the parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others!

Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. It also requires certain skills:

This workshop will teach you how to:

· Gather facts, organize information, get ready

· Understand the Rules of the Game

· Plan and prepare for success

· Document, document, document

· Ask the right questions…listen to the answers

· Identify problems and propose solutions

· Drive the process

Advocacy at School

“A good education is the next best thing to a pushy mother.” Charles Schulz

This workshop will teach you how to:

· Become your child’s case manager

· Understand your school district’s Rules of the Game…who are the players and decision makers?

· Overcome objections and pitfalls

· Design an effective IEP

· Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters

· Prepare for and manage school meetings

· Understand and use the Hewko decision

Autism treatment funding – securing its

future:

The landmark Auton decision is the only reason any autism funding exists today. This funding is in jeopardy because there is no statute law to protect it. The decision to continue funding or not can be made on a whim by provincial politicians.

· Learn the history of the fight to have medically necessary autism treatment universally accessible and covered by Medicare.

· Learn why we need a Canadians with Disabilites Act and an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

· Learn about recent and future initiatives to enshrine autism treatment under Medicare

· Learn why your children need you to get involved

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We promise you have never had this much fun in the school principal’s office. Several “guest players” will help us create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills.

Register today – don’t miss out, limited spaces available.

Saturday, April 30th _ 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Burnaby Heritage Village Carousel Activity Room

6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby BC

$119.00 per person/$189.00 per couple – lunch included

*All proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives

To register: Email: mfanow@gmail.com or call 604-290-5737

All the best people.

Mr. P's Dad

[Mike & Jean]

Hello all FEATsters….

Tune into the Bill Good Show tomorrow, Monday, April 11th at 11:30 am to hear former FEAT director Jean Lewis and Medicare for Autism Now! director David Marley discuss their upcoming advocacy workshop – "Getting it Done!" scheduled for April 30th.

Topics to be discussed:
The "Getting it Done" advocacy workshop – why it's needed now – particularly the school segment, with the BCTF "focusing" on our kids in their upcoming contract negotiatons.

We will also discuss our upcoming documentary film, working titled:
"Medicare's Orphans – Canadians unworthy of treatment" Together with other topics, the film will chronicle the history of the autism treatment movement in BC and other parts of Canada.

And – What Medicare for Autism Now! is doing during this federal election, why you should participate, and how you can get involved in the campaign to get Medicare coverage for ABA.

It should be an interesting program. Tune into CKNW 980AM at 11:30 to join the discussion. The program can also be heard at a later time by going to their audio vault.

Please share this notice with your Facebook friends.

[Christine Gallos]

The first Abbotsford ABA Support Network Small Group Meeting will be held on:

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8pm.

If you are running an ABA program and would like to connect with other parents in the Fraser Valley please come out and join us! We will be meeting in the Library of the Abbotsford School of the Integrated Arts North Poplar Campus on Marshall Rd.

We have had many people express an interest in Tuesday night meetings so here we go …

Please contact Stacey at (604) 855-0021 or jsparson@telus.net to confirm your attendance.

Thank you,
Stacey and Christine

[Super Dad]

Attention all would-be advocates: parents, grandparents, family members, and friends: Do you want to know how to effectively advocate for your child? Are you tired of going in circles trying to get what your child needs? If so, this is a workshop you cannot afford to miss. Learn how to be an effective advocate for your child at any age and stage. Take this rare opportunity to learn effective advocacy skills from people who have been leaders in the autism advocacy movement for the last 15 years.

Circle the date and register today!

Going in circles trying to get what your child needs?

If so – circle the date – Saturday, April 30th

Getting it Done!
…an “on-the-job * hands-on * this is how you do it
Advocacy Workshop

Presenters: Jean Lewis and David Marley
founding directors of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society
and
Guest speaker: Paul Caune
founder and executive director of Civil Rights Now!

Topics will include:

Advocacy 101:

“It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.”

As the parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others!

Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. It also requires certain skills:

This workshop will teach you how to:

* Gather facts, organize information, get ready
* Understand the Rules of the Game
* Plan and prepare for success
* Document, document, document
* Ask the right questions…listen to the answers
* Identify problems and propose solutions
* Drive the process

Advocacy at School:

“A good education is the next best thing to a pushy mother.” Charles Schulz

This workshop will teach you how to:

* Become your child’s case manager
* Understand your school district’s Rules of the Game…who are the players and decision makers?
* Overcome objections and pitfalls
* Design an effective IEP
* Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
* Prepare for and manage school meetings
* Understand and use the Hewko decision

Autism treatment funding – securing its future:

The landmark Auton decision is the only reason any autism funding exists today. This funding is in jeopardy because there is no statute law to protect it. The decision to continue funding or not can be made on a whim by provincial politicians.

In this workshop you will:

* Learn the history of the fight to have medically necessary autism treatment universally accessible and covered by Medicare.
* Learn why we need a Canadians with Disabilites Act and an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
* Learn about recent and future initiatives to enshrine autism treatment under Medicare
* Learn why your children need you to get involved

Register Now!

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We promise you have never had this much fun in the school principal’s office. Several “guest players” will help us create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills.

Register today – don’t miss out, limited spaces available.

Saturday, April 30th _ 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Burnaby Heritage Village Carousel Activity Room
6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby BC

$119.00 per person/$189.00 per couple – lunch included

*All proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives

To register: Email: mfanow@gmail.com or call 604-290-5737

About the presenters

Jean Lewis:

Jean has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system.

In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

David Marley:

David has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions.

Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society.

Guest speaker: Paul Caune:

Paul is the founder and executive director of Civil Rights Now! which is a non-partisan, all volunteer, not-for-profit society which advocates for public policy changes which will provide British Columbians with disabilities with equal access to the equality provisions of our Charter. He is also a board member of Medicare for Autism Now!

[Dione Costanzo]

On behalf of another parent:

I would like very much to hear from parents who have experience with having a child in the autism spectrum who is turning 18 and 19 yrs of age in relation to separation agreements and child support. My name is Bonnie, email rubyridge@gmail.com

[Author]

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