[FEAT BC Admin]

In this topic area, discussion is on all issues relating to setting up and running a home-based intervention program. Please feel free to bring up any problems or suggestions. Parents can help each other greatly by sharing information and giving suggestions.

In addition to parents helping parents, A.B.A. professionals on in the Discussion Group can also help provide insight and guidance.

Topic

[Lindsay Parrott]

Introductory and Intermediate ABA Workshops in Nanaimo and Vancouver. Follow the link for more information and to register.

http://www.autismbc.ca/behavioural-interventionist-basics-training-workshops/

[Mike & Jean]

Today, Medicare for Autism Now! director, Jean Lewis announced that Dr.
Sherri Brown is joining our board. “My colleagues and I are delighted to
welcome Dr. Brown as a director of our organization. Sherri brings highly
relevant professional expertise, as well as extensive advocacy experience to
our organization. She also adds new energy and the perspective of a parent
of a child diagnosed with autism.

Dr. Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests
and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She
has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also
been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these
issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau
Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose
works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the
developing world.

In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and
advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social
service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now
orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community.
She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as
the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to
providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy
resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental
disabilities.

“I am eager to begin work with my fellow directors, says Dr. Brown, as
Medicare for Autism Now! continues its leadership role advocating for what
is right and necessary for Canadians with autism.”

For further information, contact Jean Lewis at mfanow@gmail.com

[Dione Costanzo]

Upcoming Events Presented by the Autism Support Network:

May 27th – Welcome to Autism : A Special Presentation for Parents
Eagles Hall, Port Alberni, 7:00pm

Special guest speaker Barb McLeod will discuss the journey from assessment through diagnosis and navigating the myriad of information that comes with an autism diagnosis.

The focus of this presentation is on supporting parents to identify the components of a therapy program that will best suit their child, including evaluating and hiring service providers.

Have a new diagnosis? Not sure if the therapy program your child is currently in is the right fit? This presentation is for you.

This is a free event. PLEASE RSVP to so we can plan for space and refreshments.

RSVP by email to info@autismsupportnetwork.com

Please read about the speaker, Barbara McLeod, BEd., MEd. – Director, Autism Support Network here – http://autismsupportbc.ca/board-of-directors-2/

May 30th – An Evening of Blues and Bites Benefiting the Autism Support Network
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby, 6:30pm

Please Join the Autism Support Network for a evening of fabulous food, wine and music. All proceeds from this event will go towards providing support, education and treatment information to families who live with autism across British Columbia. There will be an amazing silent auction, prizes and a fun filled evening!

The ticket price includes a variety of hot and cold local and international dinner items that will be served “Top Chef” style at food stations throughout the evening. 5 of the courses are paired with fabulous local Township 7 wine and entertainment for the night will be provided by the award winning Harpdog Brown and the Travelin’ Blues Show.

TICKETS:
Online at https://asnbluesandbites.eventbrite.ca or email info@autismsupportbc.ca
Thank you for your support!

June 2nd – North Vancouver Neighborhood Network Meeting
Capilano Library Edgemont Village, 6:30pm

Please join other North Vancouver parents for an introduction to the North Vancouver Neighbourhood Network. Coffee and snacks provided and there will be a few guest speakers.
Please RSVP to jodie@autismsupportbc.ca

June 5th – ABA in Schools Victoria Presentation. SD36 : An Example of Collaboration
Camosun College, Lansdowne Campus, Library, 12:30pm

Speakers: Sharon Baxter, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
Dione Costanzo, Director, Autism Support Network, Parent

Sharon and Dione will lead a presentation and discussion about what ABA can look like in the classroom and will review Surrey’s journey in establishing an ABA Support Worker program in the district.

The Surrey School District is demonstrating their commitment to meaningful collaboration with the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) community. In 2006, the ABA Support Worker (ABA SW) job classification was collaboratively developed with input from the ABA community.

ABA SWs are required to complete the ABA SW Certification Program collaboratively developed and offered through Surrey College. Surrey presently employs approximately 170 ABA SWs. A collaborative model that includes other related special education professionals has been embraced by the district. To enhance supports, Surrey has recently hired a District Behaviour Specialist who has BCBA credentials in order to continue to refine their practice and support home team to school team collaboration.

At the district level, an ABA District Advisory body was created in 2006 to ensure opportunities to collaborate and communicate effectively with home teams and community-based consultants.

Please RSVP for this ABA in Schools event to info@autismsupportbc.ca

About the Autism Support Network:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMnYOYO1rxs

More events will be announced soon!

Are you looking for support, information or want to connect with other parents? Follow us!
https://www.facebook.com/austismsupportbc and Twitter @autismsupportbc
and on our online calendar on our website – http://autismsupportbc.ca

[Shu]

Behavior Interventionist Wanted (Metrotowm)

We are looking for a Behavioral Interventionist to join our home based ABA team for our 5 years-old child. Candidates must have previous experience working with children diagnosed with autism. Also, should have strong play skills, patience, be a good multi-tasker.

Successful applicant is expected to work 2 sessions per week. Times of intervention are 6:30pm-8pm Monday/Tuesday/Friday or 10am-12pm Saturday.

Pay is based on experience.

If you are in interested, please send your availability, cover letter and resume to ritashu@hotmail.com

Thanks!

[Mike & Jean]

Medicare for Autism Now! has re-released our 2011 interview with Dr. Glen Davies as part of our campaign and on-going web-series, "Medicare's Orphans" leading up to the federal election next October.

In this powerful interview, well known and respected child psychologist, Dr. Davies, who has practiced in the Vancouver area for over 25 years discusses a range of information; all crucial for parents to understand: the increase in diagnosis, the overwhelming scientific evidence of ABA, the costs of not treating autism, why parents must advocate, and much more.

Are you still willing to accept the unacceptable – or – are you ready to join the campaign?

Learn more at: http://www.medicareforautismnow.org Follow us on Facebook

[Michelle]

Behaviour Interventionist Needed — Burnaby by Royal Oak Skytrain station

We are looking for a fun and energetic individual who loves to work with toddlers for the role of Behavioural Interventionist. This BI will help implement a home-based behaviour intervention program for our autistic 2 year old son. If you are currently studying in the fields of education, speech pathology, nursing, or psychology and love to work with children, this position will give you experience in working with kids with special needs and in working within a multidisciplinary team.

We are offering a part-time position of 6 hours per week to the right candidate to assist in a delivering a customized intervention plan. The sessions are at 3:00-5:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. The position starts ASAP. This opportunity allows for the candidate to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment. Training is provided by a professional/certified behavioural consultant and possibly other specialists including Speech & Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist.

Requirements:
– must be willing and capable of learning new skills through observation to delivery and organize learning sessions for child
– be a team player and work with minimum supervision
– able to accept feedback and dedicated to ongoing learning
– able to be creative and problem solve
– have the ability to track and record the child's progress
– have experience working with toddlers or young kids
– plan on working with kids and/or special needs as a future career
– have undergraduate degree in psychology, education or related disciplines (preferences given to those working on their masters in the fields of education and/or special needs)
– must have clear criminal check and be a minimum of 19 years of age
– be reliable and able to commit to a minimum of 12 months

Please send your CV to apply along with your wage expectation to vancherryblossom@gmail.com. Thank you.

[Mike & Jean]

Autism Awareness: Really?

After years of parent advocacy and a couple of pieces of major litigation, the “Auton” case being one; who in our Canadian provincial or federal governments are unaware that medically necessary autism treatment (ABA) is still not covered by our universal health care system?

After years of Canadian families bankrupting themselves financially and emotionally; what family is unaware of the enormous costs associated with providing treatment for their child with autism?

After years of multiple and avoidable deaths of young Canadians with autism; who in government is unaware that proper access to effective treatment might well have prevented these tragedies?

After years of Canadian governments denying access to treatment; what family is unaware of the bleak future for their untreated child with autism?

After years of “autism awareness” we should be more than aware that it’s high time for us to do something purposeful with our awareness!

Universal access to effective, science-based autism treatment (ABA) remains the most urgent necessity for Canadians affected by autism. The autism treatment movement in Canada began in 1998 when autism diagnoses were 1 in 200. Today, they’re 1 in 68!

In 2011, Medicare for Autism Now! Society produced, “Medicare’s Orphans”, a 42 minute documentary film about the fight to get healthcare for children with autism in Canada. We produced this film for parents, so they could understand the history of the autism treatment movement in Canada, see and learn from a variety of parent advocates, each engaged in effective, purposeful advocacy. The film is a blueprint for those who want to solve this problem. It’s for parents who understand that awareness without action is worse than useless, that real advocacy is quite often difficult and almost always unpopular. It is for parents who are no longer willing to accept the unacceptable.

There is going to be a federal election next October, so we thought it very timely for parents and supporters to take another look at, “Medicare’s Orphans” on our website: http://www.medicareforautismnow.org While you’re there, take a look at who we are, what we’ve accomplished, and what you can do.

The website contains detailed instructions/tools on how you, on your own or with others can effectively engage candidates in our issue prior to the fall election. Need more information, or want us to talk to your parent group, contact us at: mfanow@gmail.com

Go to our Facebook page: “Medicare for Autism Now” to watch the individual extended participant interviews in “Medicare’s Orphans”. Included are: Dr. Glen Davies, Dr. Mel DeLevie, parent advocates, Laurie Romey, Barry Hudson, sibling Lia Marinoui, and many more. First up will be powerful, New Brunswick parent advocate, and author of the popular blog, “Facing Autism in New Brunswick”, Harold Doherty. Watch, learn, share, ACT.

[Stella Li]

Our ASBC Burnaby Support Group will meet:

Date: Friday April 24, 2015
Time: 10am to 12noon
Place: Studio, Suite #301 – 3701 East Hastings, Burnaby BC
Parking: free street parking on Hastings, at the back street (Albert) or side street (Esmond).

Topic:
Autism Awareness – the Self-Regulation Journey

“Self-regulation is a critical competency that underlies the mindful, intentional, and thoughtful behaviors of children, youth or adults. Able to regulate your thoughts, emotions and behaviors is crucial for success in school, work and life in general.” …yet people with autism often lack self-regulation skills to various extent.

In this workshop, Bohdanna will walk us through tips to help children/youth/adults with autism to develop skills that increase independence in their self-regulation as they grow. How to increase awareness of individual skill set needs? How to learn and understand the “why” of developing skills? How to self-report, to understand the use and the benefits of these skills?

Speaker:
Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, M.Ed., BCBA, behavior consultant, is the executive director and founder of Harmony House since 2006. She has extensive clinical experience with children, youth and adult on the autism spectrum for more than 25 years. Bohdanna has travelled around the world opening clinics in the UK, USA and Canada. She moved from the states to Canada in 2001 as the Clinical Director at a Lovaas site. Fourteen years later Bohdanna is planning to move back to the states.

Bohdanna prides herself on working with families to advocate for their children’s individual needs in the home and school /pre-vocational settings. With her passion, knowledge and skills for the autism community, Bohdanna has touched the lives of numerous families, children, youth and adults with autism, and made a difference in their lives. We are delighted to have Bohdanna one more time before her departure.

Please RSVP to shui@autismbc.ca before April 21st. Space is limited. Do not miss this opportunity.

[Bev Sharpe]

The Association for Science in Autism Treatment is committed to improving the education and treatment for people with Autism.

Sign up now for your free membership which means you will automatically receive their quarterly newsletter. Their latest newletter is a must-read. It is available at this link:

http://www.asatonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SIAT-Spring-2015.pd

ASAT is a not-for-profit organization of parents and professionals committed to improving the education, treatment, and care of people with autism. Their board of directors and advisory board are comprised of parents of individuals with autism and highly trained professionals and practitioners working in multiple disciplines, such as pediatricians, scientists, academicians, clinicians, educators, speech therapists, and financial experts. ASAT also has dozens of additional volunteers who work tirelessly to support their mission. Collectively, they have hundreds of years of experience and training related to autism treatment. ASAT has the expertise to disseminate sound recommendations, share resources, and make a difference in the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

[Dione Costanzo]

Upcoming Events Presented by the Autism Support Network:

April 12th –Information Table at the CAN Family Festival
Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver 10am-2:30pm

The Autism Support Network will be at the CAN Family Festival 2015

The Canucks Autism Network is holding their annual Family Festival on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 10am-2:30pm at Jack Poole Plaza. it will be a a fun-filled day in celebration of World Autism Awareness Month! Enjoy live entertainment, food and family fun!

Visit the Autism Support Network Information table and fun activity in the Plaza! Look for our banner.

Complete information here – http://www.canucksautism.ca/support/CAN_Family_Festival_2015.htm

April 26th – Ourselves and Our Siblings. A Special Event to Recognize Autism Awareness Month
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, 1:30-5pm

Guest Speaker and Self Advocate Wesley Romney will speak on growing up with autism and participating in an ABA program. We will then have a siblings panel discuss what it is like to be a sibling of someone with autism.

Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby, 1:30-5pm

This is a free event. PLEASE RSVP via Email to jodie@autismsupportbc.ca so we can plan for space and refreshments.

April 27th – Welcome to Autism – A Presentation for Parents
Creekside Community Centre, 1 Athlete’s Way, Vancouver, 7-9pm

Presenters will discuss the journey from assessment through diagnosis and navigating the myriad of information that comes with an autism diagnosis.

The focus of this presentation is on supporting parents to identify the components of a therapy program that will best suit their child, including evaluating and hiring service providers.

Have a new diagnosis? Not sure if the therapy program your child is currently in is the right fit? This presentation is for you.

Refreshments will be served. This is a free event. PLEASE RSVP to so we can plan for space and refreshments.
Please RSVP by Email to Sherri at sabrownresearch@gmail.com

About the Autism Support Network:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMnYOYO1rxs

More events will be announced soon!

Are you looking for support, information or want to connect with other parents? Follow us!
https://www.facebook.com/austismsupportbc and Twitter @autismsupportbc
and on our online calendar on our website – http://autismsupportbc.ca

[Author]

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