[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

[Lise O’Reilly]

Hello everyone,

Has anyone any experience dealing with Dr. Lawrence Leichtman in Virginia? My brother's daughter has just been diagnosed with down's syndrome, and he is considering targeted nutrition intervention. I noticed that Dr. Leichtman also claims to treat autism. I know this is off-topic, however, since we are helping someone with down's, I thought you would not mind.
Please email me at liseoreilly@shaw.ca or post a reply on the board.
Many thanks,

Lise O'Reilly
Philip's mom and Jenna's auntie

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Allison:

I will post to the list in case anyone else has this trouble. Years ago I saw a FEAT workshop with Shelley Davis and she mentioned that for flapping a great idea was to get them to clap their hands (especially when they are young) as they get older -hands in pocket was her redirection suggestion.

Anyway, I went home and everytime Jeremy would flap – I would say 'Oh Clap – do a model prompt ' be really excited about the clapping. Well, it worked – Jeremy would start to clap instead of flap and then I guess because it wasn't so much fun he eventually stopped the flapping and the clapping. Oh, he still flaps on the rare occaison but it's easy to redirect it now. But try to get the little one to clap and be really happy about it – model it and just keep trying that for a bit.
It really works. Good Luck.

Barbara
my email if you need further info joe_rodrigues@telus.net

[Deleted User]

Can anyone help with information on wild flapping of the arms and hands? My 2 year 8 month old son has flapped for about a year and it is getting out of control. He began flapping and jumping on the spot usually when he was happy. Now it has progressed to flapping continually most of the day in any situation. I have tried holding his arms down for a few seconds, telling him "hands down", redirecting him and praising for sitting nicely but nothing is working. It is interfering with his learning. If you have experienced this and can help with any information please email caneng@columbiacable.net or post on the feat notice board.
Thank you
Allison.

[Louise Watson]

I was wondering if anyone knows when the next workshop will be for the aba therapy. we are just starting a program and would like to attend any workshops on the therapy etc.

[Rachel Russell]

A response to Anonymous, July 19, 2002:

When I suggested that a parent 'begin your own program', to decide if Lovaas-style ABA is the best treatment for your child, this means to hire a qualified program supervisor to design your program, train your instructors, provide detailed consultation reports, attend frequent follow-up consultations and to provide daily support through phone and e-mail as needed. I believe that a good program requires a qualified program supervisor and skilled instructors to be successful. Rachel

[Rachel Russell]

A note regarding random assignment in studies of Lovaas-Style ABA therapy:

1) Yes, complete random assignment to treatment groups is very important in a scientifically sound study. Will we ever get true 'random samples' of children for various treatment groups when we are researching young children with autism? Maybe-maybe not, but we can try our best.

This is always a very difficult issue in studies that are investigating treatment in young children with autism because most parents will not subject their children to a 'random table of numbers' to decide whether they will receive a scientifically proven effective treatment, or whether they will receive a 'maybe' treatment.

While there are are possible ways to improve this issue in future treatment studies: comparing one treatment style with another; comparing different 'amounts' of treatment (20 hours vs 40 hours)of the same treatment; or comparing treatment children with those on a waiting list for services, I do not believe that there is every going to be 'true' random assignment in this area of research, because parents have choice. Parents do not have to give up their right to demand the best treatment available-to be randomly assigned to this group or that group so that treatment studies are scientific, so 'true random assignment' may not be the best criteria to dismiss treatment outcome data altogether.

If parents are unsure about trusting treatment outcome data for Lovaas-style ABA therapy because they are do not believe that true random assignment was used in the treatment outcome studies to date- they do not have to. Lovaas-style ABA therapy (unlike most other therapies for children with autism) requires the instructors to take scientific data for every program, for each specific child to prove that that child is learning in areas of language, play, social skills, academics, self-help and independence. The child is also given standardized tests by psychologists who are not involved in the treatment. Simply begin your own program, take your own data, graph your own results and go from there. You can see the results in your own logbook. Just my 2 cents-Rachel

[Maureen St. Cyr]

Hi Elaine:

I am rather surprised that the list of providers is being
updated every week — one wouldn't imagine that the
number of qualified providers would change so often.
However, that is not really the relevant issue — your
post seems to infer that the Autism Society is compiling
the list. It is my understanding that ASBC is merely
distributing a list which has been supplied to them by
the government. In any case, either way, I would not
assume *anything* about the qualifications of anyone
on it. Your safest bet is to think of this list as a page from
the phone book — you need to personally verify the
qualifications and abilities of anyone on it before you
entrust the health of a family member to them.

Avery
Ariel's Dad

[Elaine Gee]

Hi,
I have seen the most recent list of service providers from The Autism Society of BC for the Lower Mainland. It has grown in numbers. The list is revised every week. I am assuming that everyone on the list is qualified, proven and has got great track record. Is this a safe assumption or otherwise? Please advise.

[Deleted User]

Hi,
I would like feedback on Dr. Kysela and his associate with regards to ABA therapy treatment. He was involved with the Delta and Kelowna EIBI programs and also with the Ministry in Alberta. Please call 604-4512720 ext 2259. Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Hi Everyone,

I am posting for a new familty seeking any information anyone may have on a new Consultant located in Qualicum Beach. She works for a consultant group called Inter-pares. She has been suggested by a local social worker to set up a program and to train therapists. Any information you may have would be greatly appreciated.

[Author]

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