[FEAT BC Admin]

This area is for discussions in general topics.

Topic

[Nancy Walton]

YOU can help bring quality ABA to all of BC. Please fill out the survey mentioned below:

MCFD is circulating a survey to assist in the development of a new Outreach Program for Young Children with ASD. Directors of featbc and the ABA Support Network have discussed ideas for this program, based on input from parents we have assisted throughout the province. We feel that there are two very important strategies to put in place in BC and we would like parents and professionals to focus on these two goals when filling out the survey:

1) To give scholarships to 5 ABA therapists in BC to complete a Masters degree in ABA with a focus in autism at a university where there is clinical supervision, with the proviso that these therapists return to work in the Interior BC, Northern BC or on Vancouver Island for 3 years. If all students attended the same program (such as the CABAS program at Teachers College Columbia University in New York City), then they could support each other upon returning home, and provide training to further increase capacity.

2) To establish a Masters and Doctorate ABA training program that includes clinical supervision at a university in BC.

If you would like to see what CABAS program is, you can go to http://www.cabas.com. CABAS is a comprehensive ABA training program based on the principles of VERBAL BEHAVIOUR.

We strongly recommend you complete the survey (see details below) and suggest the above recommendations,

Two surveys are also available NOW through the Autism Community
Training website http://www.actcommunity.net/
Or Direct Link:
Survey for Parents and Caregivers:
http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/act-autism-community-training/popycasd-survey/
Survey for Autism Service Providers
http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/act-autism-community-training/popycasd-service-providers

[Stella Li]

Reminder:

Richmond ASBC Parents Group Meeting

Social Thinking and Language Issues

by

Jenny Gorton, SLP

ABLE Development Clinic

GUEST SPEAKER:

Before returning to Vancouver to join the ABLE Development Clinic, Jenny 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.

Date: Monday, November 29, 2010
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 handouts.

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

[Nancy Walton]

Meeting Cancellation:

ABA Support Network Meeting is cancelled tonight due to the snow. We will try to rebook the talk on another date. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Topic: Social and Friendship Skills
Guest Speakers: Michele Shilvock, M.Ed. and Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc.

[Dione Costanzo]

"Autism Therapists say payments 5 months late"

CBC News November 23, 2010

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/11/23/bc-autism-payments-delayed.html

Please go to this story, recommend it and comment. More comments and recommendations will push it to the top of the news.

THANKS and PASS IT ON

Dione

[Dione Costanzo]

Surrey, November 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MCFD Payment Policies put Autistic Children in Jeopardy

Over 100 autism treatment service providers have complained they have not received payment for services within 30 days of invoicing the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). There is already a shortage of these service providers and those currently practicing are being forced to rethink their career choices. Families now risk losing current therapists and cannot attract new ones willing to put up with such financial uncertainty.

In September 2009 the Hon. Minister Mary Polak eliminated a Direct Funding option where parents could pay their service providers through a trust account. At that time, parents were assured that late payment problems would be dealt with. In the year that followed, these problems, in fact, worsened.

When contacted on October 4th, 2010 about the poorly managed AFU the Hon. Minister Mary Polak responded by saying "I know we've cleared the backlog and are continuing to work to solve other issues as they are raised by families and providers". However, featbc has confirmation that the problems are not resolved and service providers continue to not get paid within 30 days.

There are over 6,000 children in this province with Autism Spectrum Disorder who require therapy. Accessed through MCFD, this treatment will directly affect a child’s future. The difference between treatment and no treatment can also mean the difference between lifelong independence versus institutionalization.

Since autism treatment is not covered under Medicare, the amount of therapy a child receives depends directly on what families can afford to pay beyond the inadequate funding provided through MCFD. Despite its mandate to protect these children, current MCFD policies are actually interfering with access to treatment.

All attempts to communicate this to MCFD have fallen on deaf ears.

Last week British Columbians became painfully aware of what can happen to BC’s most vulnerable children when the Ministry for Child and Family Development drops the ball. MCFD indifference is allowing more of BC’s vulnerable children to fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, families trying to cope with the stress of autism are living nightmares every day as they struggle to keep therapists for their children.

-30-

(For further information contact Louise Witt at (604) 538-1370 or spokesperson@featbc.org)

[Mike & Jean]

COLLOQUIUM SERIES
School of Social Work, University of British Columbia
2080 West Mall, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z2
Phone: 604-822-5872 Fax: 604-822-8656 Email: cic.ubc@ubc.ca
http://www.cic.arts.ubc.ca
Living with Autism: Adults with Autism
Spectrum Disorders Speak Out!
Presented by Autism Society Canada
In 2007, Autism Society Canada established an Advisory Committee of
Adults Living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). On November
26th, three Committee members will speak about their realities. We will
hear from Kristian Hooker, Georges Huard and Martine Stonehouse, all
who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
This colloquium will be introduced by Dr. Kevin Stoddart, Director of the
Redpath Centre in Toronto and Assistant Professor at the Factor-Inwentash
Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.
Autism Society Canada (ASC) is a national incorporated non-profit
charitable organization. It was founded in 1976 by a group of parents
committed to advocacy, public education, information and referral, and
support for its regional societies.
Friday, November 26, 2010
12:15 pm – 1:45 pm
Room 200, Jack Bell Building
2080 West Mall, UBC
Please feel free to bring your lunch. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
To reserve your space, please email cic.ubc@ubc.ca.

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network monthly meeting is this Thursday, November 25, 7:00-9:00 PM

Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre
16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #2
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00PM
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.com

(map available online http://www.abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php)

Topic: Social and Friendship Skills
Guest Speakers: Michele Shilvock, M.Ed. and Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc.

This talk will focus on:

* Social skill development for school aged children.
* The ins and outs of how to work collaboratively with the school to build in generalization and growth of social skills for children of all skill levels.
* We will be addressing strategies for both elementary and high school settings.
* We will also focus on providing strategies and tips parents can leave and apply right away.

Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc. is a behavioural consultant specializing in Lovaas style ABA for children with autism. She trained and worked with a Lovaas Replication Site for 10 years and was involved in opening clinics in the United States and in the U.K. In September of 2007 Bohdanna and colleagues opened Harmony House Preschool, an inclusive preschool for children with autism and their peers.

Michele is a Behaviour Consultant who has worked in the field of autism for over 11 years. She is very dedicated to the training of individuals in the community and continues to work with families and school teams to assist in the facilitation of team oriented working relationships. Michele works closely with children in the home and school settings, working collaboratively with families and community members. She is also responsible for the development of Harmony House’s internship program and works closely supervising clinical staff. Michele graduated from UBC with a Masters in Special Education/Counseling and Psychology with emphasis in autism. She is now working towards her BCBA certification. In addition to running the internship program, Michele also maintains a caseload of children diagnosed with Autism, providing monthly supervision for their home-based treatment.

Please join us for refreshments, information and discussion!

ABA Support Network
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Stella Li]

Reminder of our meeting tomorrow, which includes a video presentation of Jessica Fung on “OT for Children with Autism”, followed by a mini-toy sale event and parent connection time.

You are invited to join our next ASBC Burnaby Community Group meeting. **All participants can enter a draw for a gift to your child.

Date: November 19, 2010 (Friday)
Time: 10am-12noon
Place: Autism Society of BC
#303 – 3701 East Hastings Street, Burnaby

(NE corner of Hastings and Boundary, walk up one flight of stairs from street level to 3/F, parking on Hastings/the back streets/west side of Boundary)

We are pleased to have a video presentation by Jessica Fung, OTR/L on “Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism” with or without a behavioral therapy program. Jessica is a highly regarded Occupational Therapist who has previously worked for many years as a behaviour therapist. Due to her exceptional skills in both disciplines, she is considered by many to be the ideal Occupational Therapist for children with autism.

Coffee/tea/refreshments will be provided.

RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca

Stella Hui
Autism Society of BC
604 434 0880

[Peter Wong]

Posted for Richmond Parents Group

ASBC Richmond Parents Group Meetings for year 2010 to 2011

The ASBC Richmond Parents Group would like to thank the following people who have or will so graciously donate presentations for the 2010/2011:

Please mark your calendar for up coming meetings (please note that date/time may be changed):

October 4, 2010
Nancy Walton, Teacher, Parent and Sharon Baxter, MA, BCBA
ABA in the School Setting…What it Can Look Like

November 29, 2010
Jenny Gorton (SLP)
Social Thinking and Language Issues

January 31, 2011
Anna Matchneva, M.Ed., BCBA, and Alexia Stack, M.Ed., BCBA
Building Cooperation and Motivation to Learn

March 14, 2011
Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc., M. Ed.
Topic to be announced

May 30, 2011
Jessica Fung, OTR/L
Incorporating Occupational Therapy into a Behavioural Therapy Program

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

[Dione Costanzo]

Further to the Support Meeting information just posted:

For more information or to RSVP please contact:

Tracy Hewgill, BA
Family Support Worker
Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living
11641 224 Street, Maple Ridge BC
Phone 604 467 8700 ext 119
tracy.hewgill@rmacl.org

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