[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

[Sabrina Freeman]

I would like to add my ‘two-bits’ regarding the thread on “Options" as a treatment for autism.

Over the years, I have searched extensively through many electronic data-bases (including Medline, Psychinfo, and Eric) for any peer-reviewed journal articles related to "Options". I have also read all the literature and books published by the Options Institute. I have yet to find even ONE (1) peer-reviewed journal article with data that supports the efficacy claims of this protocol. The folks at Options are very good at providing testimonials and anecdotal information regarding how successful their method is in ameliorating symptoms of autism. I invite any member of this discussion group to provide us with peer-reviewed data–collected with even the most minimal standards of scientific rigour–on this so-called intervention option. I would very much like to analyze the findings.

I first heard of “Options” when my child (Miki) was diagnosed 10 years ago; I'm still waiting for valid, science-based evidence to confirm efficacy claims for the treatment method.

Why the fixation on data and efficacy evidence? Because anecdotal information is WORSE THAN USELESS. What unproved claims do is often mislead parents to waste precious development time and hard earned money on the ‘snake-oils’ of our age. The New York Department of Health says that if the use of an ineffective intervention supplants the use of effective autism treatment, this constitutes a form of harm done to the child. Moreover, sometimes unproved “treatments” may actually be dangerous. Example: Facilitated Communication shockingly resulted in seizure of children by social services agencies, until the legal system rightfully returned those children to their parents.

So, it’s important to stress that anecdotes–used by service providers to hock their wares– may seem compelling; however, unsubstantiated treatments may be a waste of resources, developmental window, or worse, may be dangerous.

Sabrina (Miki's Mom)

[Deleted User]

I am looking for contact information for Richard Foxx as well as any other qualified ABA treatment provider servicing BC who specializes in children aged 7 – 16. Treatment providers with experience with Aspergers or FragileX would be of great help also. I am posting this for several families pursuing treatment options. Thank You.

Alex Barclay
604 487 0048
Fax 604 487 0038
thujalog@home.com

[Deleted User]

I would like to respond about the inquiry regarding Son-Rise and the Autism Treatment Centre.

I too have seen the show you are referring to. When my daughter was first diagnosed, Son-Rise was one of the books I read. (I also read about Lovaas but at that point in time, felt the financial cost was out of our reach). As I desperately tried to find something affordable and effective, I stumbled across Son-Rise. The book spoke of an amazing recovery by the author's son through the dedication and hard work of his mother. Once their son was recovered, they started helping others to follow their path.

Within this book, there was an underlying message that the Lovaas method was cruel and too harsh. I began to wonder if the son-rise method wasn't better suited to my family. So I poured through every book, every chapter, every word, looking for some directions on how to get started, how to set up my child's program. NOt finding any directions, I turned to their website which was very slick and full of happy people but lacked detailed information on how to do this method. What I did find LOTS of was sales pitches on seminars that supposedly I needed. These seminars only took place at their treatment facility and cost considerable amounts of money.

I set out to discover does this son-rise method really work and how does it work? Yes, it too is very intensive, if you as a parent are able to spend your entire day with one-on-one with your child. The mother of the original child, was amazing in her dedicaiton and patience… I'll be honest, that's not me! Twelve hours a day in a small room with my child exhibiting behaviour isn't practical for me, especially since I have two children with autism. I wondered about training people myself based on a 3 day seminar, with no further guidance… a little worrisome.

In the end I was unable to find any scientific studies supporting this method. THere were some anecdotal stories but you can find anecdotal stories to support almost anything. With no science and with the costs being almost as high as doing a truly effective method that has lots of scientific research to back its claims, I decided that Son-Rise was not for me.

I wasted a lot of time pursuing this method. Once I realized it wasn't for me, I turned my energy to finding out more about Lovaas protocal ABA. What I found was that it wasn't harsh or cruel. Children weren't turned into little robots, they didn't spend all of their waking hours doing repetitive table work. ABA therapists play with children with autism, they teach skills, they practice conversation, they help them participate in the world the way all children should be able to.

Looking back, I know I wasted precious time. If I could do it all again, I would have concentrated my efforts on getting my children into an effective program from the start. Having experienced the benefits of ABA therapy, I have no doubts that what I am doing is right. Friends, family and associates regularly tell me of the huge changes they see in my children, more importantly, the data behind their progress proves the effectiveness of their programs.

I hope this helps in your quest for information.

Michelle Karren
Breanna and Griffen's mom

[Deleted User]

We are currently setting up an at home program and working on a learning room for 1 on 1. What types of toys, activities, etc., should we be thinking of putting in it. Also, we are trying to put together a team from our community to work with our son. Any suggestions on what we should be looking for and also some important interview questions.

Dave

[Deleted User]

We are trying to start up an ABA at home program with our 2 1/2 year old son Nathan. Some people have recommended WEAP in Vancouver, BC. I haven't had time to contact them personally. What can they do there for us? Also has anyone purchased the package called "HELP US LEARN" through the Austism Society of BC. If so, do you like it.

Lisa Luoma (Nathan's mom)

[Deleted User]

Has anyone heard of the Autism Treatment Center of America. I caught a television program that featured this centre, specifically the Son-Rise intensive program. I would appreciate any input from anybody who has knowledge of this particular program or organization.

Keith Encinas

[Julie Ng]

I believe the "Center for Ability" on Kingsway in Vancouver might have a toy library.

Joachim Pang

[Nenad Ivanovic]

Hi All

Does anyone know if there is a "Toy Library" in Vancouver? We are running an ABA program for our daughter and need to vary the toys used in the therapy. She easily gets bored with any new toy. If you know anything about such a library, please let me know. The contact information is:
(604) 630-4068 (at work)
(604) 444-7403 (at home) or
nenadi@yahoo.com
n_ivanovic@trillium.com

Thanks
Ned (Sophia's father)

[Deleted User]

Our sons ABA program is cruising along. Looking to buy new /(used?)cards for a categorization program, wide variety needed.
email thujalog@home.com or phone 604 487 0048
fax 604 487 0038

Alex and Suzanne Barclay

[FEAT BC Admin]

RE: upcoming autism intervention workshop

For those who need a registration form for the upcoming FEAT BC autism intervention workshop at SFU, it is available from the FEAT server at http://www.featbc.org/downloads/eaiw.pdf

Acrobat Reader is required for your computer to open the document. If you need Acrobat Reader, it can be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

[Author]

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