[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Bev Sharpe]

Hello everyone,
One of the important services the FEAT board provides parents is the ability to share information/references/experiences regarding service providers/interventionists. We welcome and encourage parents to do so, however individuals names should not be included in your posts. Private emails between parties could achieve the relaying of such specific information.

Beverley Sharpe

[Bev Sharpe]

Hello FEAT members.
It was 13 yrs ago that my child did not know what to do with a Christmas present. She did not understand Christmas and Santa meant nothing to her. She could not sing a song and she could not say Merry Christmas. My child was mute. This time of year used to be a difficult time for us.
Thanks to my child’s ABA treatment program, my beautiful daughter no longer needs help unwrapping gifts or trimming a tree . She now sings some Christmas carols and enjoys Christmas baking!
Thank you Sabrina Freeman for founding FEATBC and giving me the information I needed about Autism treatment.
ABA has made a life for my child. She is not institutionalized. She goes to High School, lives at home and and is a participatory member of the family, with chores and expectations of behaviour.
Warm wishes from our home to yours for a Merry Christmas.
Beverley Sharpe

[Mike & Jean]

Hello all,
As you may recall over the past little while the ASBC has undertaken two surveys to assist us in evaluating present activities and services and planning for the future. One survey was primarily directed at our membership and was deployed via the ASBC Forum; the second (identical questions) was deployed via the FEAT Chat. In addition the survey was directed to some other individuals via e-mail lists and contacts we have.
There was a response rate that suggested that a statistically valid sample was received. In general terms the responses between the two sources did not vary substantively.
The ASBC would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond, it is much appreciated.
The following is a bullet-style summary of the results:
• About 50% of respondents said they were past member and 82% said they were present members (we believe the question was confusing to some)
• 70% were aware that they did not need to be a member to access most services
• 95% were comfortable with the membership fee
• They learned about the ASBC from other parents (47%, the web (41%), from a professional referral (29%), and a friend (18%)
• They contacted the ASBC looking for general information (71%), looking for information on treatment options (54%), looking for advice (50%), looking for a support group (43%), looking for information on government programmes (39%), looking for community specific supports (36%) and referrals to a professional (30%)
• 75% had visited the web-site and/or attended an ASBC hosted event, 67% had been to a parent meeting, 49% had used the Library, 47% had called the office, spoken to an information worker or met with someone at the office.
• Most contacts were with the Burnaby office with a lesser number contacting the Prince George or Nanaimo offices
• 86% were very or somewhat satisfied with their dealings, 12% neutral and 2% somewhat or very dissatisfied
• In terms of future focus by the ASBC – maintain existing services, general advice on advocacy, more ABA information, updated the web-site and helping to facilitate therapist recruitment were the highest ranked wishes followed by adult issues, partnering with other organizations, sibling issues, and individual specific advocacy
• 78% believed that the ASBC should have no contractual arrangements with any government body to ensure our independence and 91% believed that being an active member of the Autism Society of Canada – focusing on federal issues, was important and added value to the autism community
• When asked about other organizations that provide support or services 52% had contacted FEAT of BC, 76% had contacted other parents directly, 82% had contacted ACT, 25% had contacted Medicare for Autism Now and 12% had contacted the ABA Support Network
The ASBC will now use this information in the development of our 2011 operational plans.

Thank you once again for your participation.

The Board of the Autism Society of B.C.

[Joanna Ng]

Dear FEAT readers,

There are only a few days before Christmas is here. Another year…again.

My kid has been doing ABA for a year now…under a great, loving and devoted consultant. I thank God for her because she sees my kid as a human being who has the right to live a fruitful life and not as a case or just another 'business'.

But even more, I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents like Dr. Sabrina Freeman, Jean Lewis, Beverley Sharpe, and all the parents/families who have fought against our heartless government — it is these souls who have won the battle for us in Auton and Hewko.

Thank you, for your fight has given my child his Autism Funding, allowing us to pay part of our autism bills. And thank you, for your battle in 'Hewko' that now I know, my child has his rights and he is protected by LAW and the LAW says so!

Thank you, that….
— regardless of the struggle you have in life, you did not give excuses not to do what is right;
— in your fight, you stood for what is right versus 'collaborating' and 'giving in' to those who do not give a thought about our children;
— in your fight, you never thought of protecting your privacy but only keep pressing forward for the good of every soul with autism;
— you sacrifice your own precious time for the good of our vulnerable ones;
— your selfless effort has brought so much to our children…

Thank you.

[Jenn Ralph]

Can anyone who speaks fluent Vietnamese please contact me – it is to help a new Mom get started. I will be meeting with her next week myself but thought it might be helpful if she also spoke to someone in her own language.
Contact me at jenn.ralph@shaw.ca for her phone number.
Thanks!
Jenn

[Joanna Ng]

Dear all,

There will be a meeting for parents residing in Burnaby to advocate for ABA in the school district for our children.

Details as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 22nd December 2010
Time: 6:30-8:45pm
Location:
Burnaby Public Library
McGill Branch
4595 Albert Street
Burnaby BC V5C 2G6
[meeting/conference room]

Hope to see you there.

hana.takuya@yahoo.com

[Jenn Ralph]

Can Trinh Vu please contact me?
Jenn.ralph@shaw.ca

[Stella Li]

Hi everyone:

Our ASBC Burnaby Community Group’s December meeting details are as follows:

*The first five parents will get an Olympic Mascot (10.5” Sumi, 9.5” Muk Muk or 13.5” Quatchi).

*Everyone will get a ticket for a “Santa’s Christmas Show” on December 20th 4pm or 7pm at the Italian Cultural Centre.

Date: December 10, 2010 (Friday)

Time : 10am-12pm

Place: Autism Society of BC

#303 – 3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby

(NE corner on Hastings and Boundary, long flight of stairs from street level to 3/F)

(Parking on Hastings, NW side of Boundary, or the back streets)

Topic: Autism and the Christmas holidays

While Christmas is exciting for many, it can be stressful for families with autistic children. In this meeting, we’re going to discuss some tips, do’ and don’ts, plus some humors for everyone to prepare for their Christmas holidays. Handouts will be provided. This is an open meeting for everyone to drop by to encourage each other or be encouraged, while sipping a cup of tea or coffee!

Coffee/tea and snack will be provided.

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca

s

[Terrie Roberts]

Cloverdale/Langley Parents

The first Cloverdale/Langley small group meeting will be held Wednesday, December 8th from 7:00 – 8:30pm. If you are interested in connecting with other parents for support, to network and to share your experience with ABA, please email me at terrie.roberts@gmail.com.

[Milburn Drysdale]

Hello all

I have created a new discussion forum to discuss autism issues in BC.

The site is entitled “The Autism Forum of BC” and is located at http://www.asdchat.com

The FEAT chat forum is not shutting down and I am in no way proposing that it do so. The FEAT forum has over the years provided a valuable service to British Columbians affected by autism. It has linked parents together and promoted ABA in our province.

Unfortunately the forum software is badly out of date and no one appears to have the appetite to update it. Many people have turned away because they were unable to register or unable to post.

The new discussion forum uses the latest software and is user friendly. Some of the features include:
• Automated and easy registration
• Language support for 46 different languages
• Daily, weekly, or monthly emails of all or selected new posts (or no emails at all if desired)
• Private Messaging
• Better security (email addresses will no longer be viewable by other users or the general public)
• Regional forums to support regions outside of the Lower Mainland
• Better search features
• Individuals will be better able to customize their viewing experience and
• Many more features to appeal to the experts and the neophytes alike.

I would encourage you all to have a look at the new forum and pass this information along to others affected by autism in B.C.

Thank you

Milburn
Administrator for “The Autism Forum of BC”
http://www.asdchat.com

[Author]

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