[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

[Bev Sharpe]

Hello everyone,

I am happy to share that the Summer 2014 issue of ASAT – Association for Science in Autism Treatment is here! You can download this latest issue and sign up for this free publication at:

http://asatonline.org/newsletters/index

ASAT is a not-for-profit organization of parents and professionals committed to improving the education, treatment, and care of people with autism. Since autism was first identified, there has been a long history of failed treatments and fads, levied on vulnerable individuals as well as on their families. From the scandal of the “refrigerator mother” theory, to the ongoing parade of “miracle cures” and “magical breakthroughs,” history has been dominated by improbable theories about causation and treatments.

Many of these treatments have been too quickly adopted by professionals, too readily sensationalized by the media, and too hastily embraced by hopeful consumers – well before supporting evidence or reasonable probability existed for their effectiveness or safety.

Since ASAT was established in 1998, it has been their goal to work toward adopting higher standards of accountability for the care, education and treatment of all individuals with autism.

[Dione Costanzo]

From the ABA Support Network:

Did you know we have a chat group for parents on Facebook?

Log into Facebook and search "ABA Support Network – Parent Group"

or use this link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/345034582290211/

and ask to join the group and the conversation!

This ABA Support Network – Parent Group on Facebook is a forum for ABA parents to talk and share stories and concerns. We have kept this a closed group (you need to request to join) so that parents feel comfortable about posting and sharing personal stories about their families. The ABA Support Network also has a public Facebook page which is open to all for viewing and posting

The ABA Support Network
Parents Helping Parents!

[Dione Costanzo]

Upcoming Parent Support Meeting – Thurs, July 24 8pm in South Surrey:

Parents from all areas are welcome at this parent support meeting. Experienced parents network with new parents and discuss a range of topics from assessment and diagnosis to the next steps, school issues and transitioning to adulthood.

RSVP to juliane_khadra@yahoo.com
Location is in South Surrey please rsvp for address.

Sharing Resources:

The ABA Support Network is all about Parents Helping Parents, and we do a lot of "intake" – talking to parents with a new diagnosis, helping them understand the benefits and science behind ABA, helping them identify a quality consultant and build a team, and supporting them through the process. Here are some of our favorite resources which are helpful to parents with a new diagnosis:

Connect with us online!

The ABA Support Network holds regular parent support meetings as well as educational presentations and family events. Stay connected with us here:

Web: http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/abasupportnetwork

We also have a second facebook GROUP which is a chat room for parents. Search "ABA Support Network – Parent Group" on facebook and ask to be added to the conversation!

Twitter: @ABA_SN

There are so many therapies – how do I know what works?

ABA has for many years been confirmed by study and credible authorities as the most substantially evidence based effective autism intervention. There are too many sources to list here!

It is crucial to be able to ask the right questions and find the flaws in the science behind every purported treatment, or to find the evidence, where it exists, that the treatment is effective. "The Complete Guide to Autism Treatments" by Dr. Sabrina Freeman was inspired by parents of children afflicted with autism. After speaking with several thousands of parents about various treatments and answering similar questions over and over again, Dr. Freeman realized that parents need a clear way — a guide — to help make appropriate treatment decisions for their child.

To this end, Dr. Freeman gives her scientific evaluation of most of the major and minor autism treatments available today, and then personalizes the analysis by telling the reader whether or not she would use the treatment on her own child.

Borrow a copy from the ABA Support Network or purchase your own at http://www.skfbooks.com

An Autism Parents "Bible" to funding and administration:

http://www.asdfunding.com

This site is maintained by a parent. It will become your go-to resource for all questions about funding and administration and also has an excellent section "ABA Team" which contains a roadmap for building a therapy team as well as examples of recruitment ads, interview questions, and tips for staying organized.

What is my life going to look like with an ABA team in the house?

This is a great video series for parents with a new diagnosis to watch.
It is hard for new parents to envision what a life with ABA looks like.
Here is a great series of youtube videos called the A Word which follows a family and their son Jack on their journey of diagnosis and therapy. A good resource for new parents who want to see what ABA in the home looks like!
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE42A23CA5EE8F7C6

The ABA Support Network – Parents Helping Parents!

[Bev Sharpe]

July 9, 2004. 10 years ago today, I sat in the Supreme Court of Canada court room, along with several other Auton litigants.

The Auton case is the case where a small group of parents brought an action against the government for failing to provide medically-necessary Applied Behaviour Analysis treatment to their autistic children.

Both at the Supreme Court of BC and the Appeals Court of BC, it was found that the failure to provide this treatment constituted a denial of the children’s rights under the Equality provision, Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

This decision was appealed by all of the provincial and the federal governments, all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

On that hot, sunny day, 9 yrs. ago, I chose to skip the lunch break, and wait outside the court room, to ensure all of us getting our seats back at the front of the court room for the afternoon session. It was then, that the Sherriff informed me that it was the first time he had ever seen the Supreme Court of Canada re-arranged, to allow for a record number of intervenors against our autistic children.

Yes folks, the injustice against providing treatment to our children was pervasive across every province and territory.

In a stunning and shocking decision, the Supreme Court of Canada did not uphold the lower court decisions that ABA treatment was medically-necessary and must be provided. Rather, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the “core health needs” of our children had been provided. They meant that if our children break a leg, or get strep throat, they get treatment, but not for their Autism. The judiciary said that though they recognized ABA as “gold-standard” treatment, that they, the judiciary could not order the provinces how to spend their health care dollars.

The Auton litigation put the spotlight on the necessity of ABA for our children, essentially shaming every province to provide some funding of this treatment. Any funding provided today can be taken away with the stroke of a pen. It is vitally important that we get ABA treatment included in Medicare.

What can parents do now?
Hire a bonafide Behaviour Consultant, and start your ABA treatment program for your child.

Political activism with focus, clarity and persistence is the only thing that will change Medicare to include ABA treatment for Autism.

Parents educate yourselves. Read the Auton and Hewko decisions. Watch the film, “Medicare’s Orphans” at medicareforautismnow.org

Sign up for your free online newsletter Association for Science in Autism Treatment
ASAT is a not-for-profit organization of parents and professionals committed to improving the education, treatment, and care of people with autism. http://www.asatonline.org/

Get involved with Civil Rights Now! at civilrightsnow.ca

Read Dr. Sabrina Freeman’s blog at http://autismpundit.com Sabrina has always maintained that you must question everything about Autism treatment and expect evidence.

Thank you Dr. Sabrina Freeman for founding FEATBC and spearheading the Auton litigation. Thank you to all the parents, families, and concerned citizens that advocate for ABA medically- necessary treatment for autism.

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network – South Surrey Parent Support Group

Tuesday, June 24th, 7:30-9:30pm

Parents from all areas are welcome at this parent support meeting. Experienced parents network with new parents and discuss a range of topics from assessment and diagnosis to the next steps, school issues and transitioning to adulthood.

RSVP to juliane_khadra@yahoo.com
Location is in South Surrey please rsvp for address.

[Dione Costanzo]

May 29th – Parent Information Meeting 9:00-11:30AM
Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre, 16555 Fraser Hwy, downstairs on the arena side

Topic – Parent and Consultant Presentation

Speakers – Louise Witt, Parent and Michele Shilvock, BCBA

Louise and Michele will present and lead discussion about:
* A parents journey including assessment and diagnosis and the next steps to take.
* Information about autism and the benefits and science of ABA
* Evaluating consultants and services offered.
* Setting up and maintaining a team for your child.
* The components of a quality, comprehensive, evidence based program.

There will be time for networking and questions as well.

Please RSVP to dione@abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

Parent Support Group Meeting TONIGHT 7pm in South Surrey!

Email me for the address dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Parents from all areas welcome! This meeting is to network experienced parents with new parents or anyone who needs support. Please join us!

[Dione Costanzo]

The ABA Support Network presents

Parent Information Meeting
Topic: Aggressive and Violent Behaviour in Autism

Thursday May 15th

7:00-9:00pm

Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre, upstairs on arena side

Please RSVP to tamara_desilva@hotmail.com

This is an opportunity for parents to have a round table discussion about dealing with severe behaviours such as aggression and violence in their children with autism. We invite parents to share their experiences, information and any resources that they have been able to access.

[Dione Costanzo]

**VANCOUVER**
May 21st – Vancouver Parent Support Group, Marpole Oakridge Community Center , 7-9pm
Please RSVP to dione@abasupportnetwork.com
This is an opportunity for parents to network and build community in Vancouver. If parents in Vancouver are interested in a particular topic of discussion please contact the ABA Support Network and we will accommodate that as much as possible.

[Dione Costanzo]

May ABA Support Network Meetings and Events:

Please stay updated by following us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/abasupportnetwork and Twitter @aba_sn
and on our online calendar on our website – http://abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php

May 7th – SD36 ABA Advisory Meeting, Surrey College, 7-9pm
Location – Surrey College
This meeting is a forum for the ABA Advisory to update parents about their progress with district administration, as well as for parents to discuss issues affecting the health, wellbeing and education of our children.

May 15th – Parent Information Meeting, Surrey Sport & Leisure Centre, 7-9pm
May Topic – Parent Discussion : Aggressive and Violent Behaviour in Autism
Please RSVP to tamara_desilva@hotmail.com
This is an opportunity for parents to have a round table discussion about dealing with severe behaviours such as aggression and violence in their children with autism. We invite parents to share their experiences, information and any resources that they have been able to access.

May 21st – Vancouver Parent Support Group, Marpole Oakridge Community Center , 7-9pm
8:00-10:00pm
Please RSVP to dione@abasupportnetwork.com
This is an opportunity for parents to network and build community in Vancouver. If parents in Vancouver are interested in a particular topic of discussion please contact the ABA Support Network and we will accommodate that as much as possible.

May 22nd – South Surrey/White rock Parent Support Group, rsvp to dione@abasupportnetwork.com for address , 7:30-9”30pm
Please RSVP to dione@abasupportnetwork.com
Parents from all areas are welcome at this parent support meeting. Location is in South Surrey please rsvp for address.

May 27th – Tri-Cities Parent Support Group, rsvp to jbtwickens@gmail.com for location, 7-9pm
7:00-9:00pm
Please RSVP to jbtwickens@gmail.com
RSVP to jbtwickens@gmail.com for address
This meeting is for parents to network, share information and get support with various issues.

May 29th – Parent Information Meeting *daytime* Topic – Parent and Consultant Presentation – Quality Autism Treatment
Topic – Parent and Consultant Presentation – Quality Autism Treatment
Speakers – Louise Witt, Parent and Michele Shilvock, BCBA
Discussion will include a parents journey including diagnosis, treatment research, setting up and maintaining an ABA program for your child and what it can do for your whole family. The components of a quality, evidence based autism treatment program.

[Author]

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