[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

[Dione Costanzo]

MEDIA RELEASE

ABA Support Network
Surrey, BC
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com
Jodie Wickens, Media Contact
Phone: 604-837-5634
Email: jbtwickens@gmail.com

There can be hope for children with autism in BC schools

Parents want evidence-based learning programs and supports established in all B.C. school districts.

February 17 2014, Surrey, BC: Recent news stories such as the Seclusion and Restraint report and most recently the story of Susan DeBeck, a Vancouver teacher who claims she was fired for standing up for her students with special needs, shows the education system is in a state of crisis when it comes to providing appropriate supports for students with special needs.

A local non-profit autism support group is reaching out to the Minister of Education and district administration across BC to educate them about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which is the scientifically supported gold standard in teaching and behaviour management.

ABA is a structured teaching method in which functional skills are broken down and taught one step at a time. That means that children with autism can learn and flourish in all areas including language and communication, play and leisure, self help, life skills and academics.

Families of children with autism often put ABA teams together to work with their children at home. Dione Costanzo, director of the ABA Support Network says that the results are worth the emotional and financial stress.

However, once a child with autism enters school in a district that does not have supports for ABA programs, the results achieved at home can be severely compromised, says Costanzo. “All the successes achieved can grind to a halt and often the child regresses.”

ABA is widely considered to be the most effective, evidence-based learning approach for children with autism yet Surrey is the only school district in B.C. that has an established system for hiring ABA-trained teaching aides.

Costanzo says that the ABA Support Network and parents are on a mission to change this.

“Children have a right to an education and ABA is the best method to achieve this for children with autism,” says Costanzo. “Implementing these programs, and training and hiring more ABA teaching assistants is the right thing to do, and it's the law.”

According to the landmark Supreme Court of BC ruling – Hewko v. B.C., 2006 BCSC 1638 – what is required for children with autism to access an education is adherence to their established ABA programs, and the availability of teaching aides that are trained to carry it out. In most B.C. school districts, ABA programs are not accommodated nor do teaching aides have the proper training to support these programs.

Costanzo says that implementing the ABA programs is a cost-neutral exercise, it just requires the political will.

“Getting an appropriate education system for children with autism in place with ABA-trained teaching aides requires political will and leadership,” she says. “It will not increase costs but it will be utilizing existing funds more effectively.”

The ABA Support Network is a parent-led, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve access to ABA support and services for individuals with autism.

For information about the ABA Support Network contact Dione Costanzo at dione@abasupportnetwork.com or 604-817-1526. Anyone interested in learning more about autism and ABA in Schools can visit the ABA Support Network website at http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Bev Sharpe]

The FEAT BC Discussion Group has been designed to discuss any topic relevant to home-based A.B.A. programs (including Government funding and school issues). When we use the term A.B.A., we mean discrete-trial-based interventions, also referred to as "Applied Behaviour Analysis" or "Lovaas-type" Intensive Behavioural Treatment for autism and related disorders.

Postings for positions for Applied Behaviour Analyst and qualified Behaviour Consultants are the only postings permitted.

Postings which do not conform to this criteria will be removed.

Beverley Sharpe
Director

[Super Dad]

North Shore ASBC Lecture Series

The North Shore ASBC Support Group proudly presents:

ABA at Home
Setting up, maintaining and generalizing an ABA program

by
Katie Allen, M.SC., BCBA
ABLE Developmental Clinic

at
7:00pm, Tue Feb 18

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

GUEST SPEAKER:

Katie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Her Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) was obtained through Northeastern University, Boston MA. Katie spent three years at the New England Center for Children, a leading day and residential program for children with autism in the United States. She moved to Vancouver to design and implement individualized home based ABA programs for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, with a focus on children with severe behavioural challenges.

TOPIC:

In this presentation, Katie will talk about:
* understanding what type of ABA program you're running;
* how to know what to expect from your involvement and outcomes, including common roadblocks;
* how data collection and functional analysis can help prevent some of the most common pitfalls;
* practicing true evidence-based intervention as opposed to just running ABA procedures.

DIRECTIONS:

The West Vancouver Memorial Library is at 1950 Marine Drive:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=1950+Marine+Dr,+West+Vancouver,+BC+V7V+1J8

The library is easily accessible via Highway #1 Upper Levels, taking either the 15th Street or 20th St. exits.

Coffee/Tea and snacks provided. Donations are greatly appreciated (but not required).

Please RSVP to <asbcnorthshore@yahoo.ca>.

Carol and Dragos
(Co-facilitators for ASBC North Shore Group)

[Super Dad]

North Shore ASBC Lecture Series

The North Shore ASBC Support Group proudly presents:

Food Refusal in Children with Autism
Implementation of a Behavioural Approach to Severe Feeding Difficulties

by
Lauren Binnendyk, PhD, BCBA-D
Director and Behaviour Analyst
West Coast Feeding and Behaviour Specialists

at
7:00pm, Tue Jan 21

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

GUEST SPEAKER:

Lauren has been working with individuals with ASD-related challenges and their families since 1997. For the past decade Lauren has focused her research and clinical work on supporting families of young children with developmental disabilities and severe food refusal behaviour.

TOPIC:

The purpose of this workshop presentation is to provide an overview of a behavioural model of assessment and intervention for families of children with developmental disabilities and problematic feeding behaviour. The aim of this model is to:
(a) improve the child’s eating behaviour;
(b) promote the child’s successful participation in a meal routine; and
(c) empower family members to successfully support their child.

Lauren will discuss the importance of conducting a comprehensive assessment of child eating skills/behaviour, parent-child patterns of interaction, and the mealtime setting. Using case-study examples, she will discuss the steps involved in teaching parents to successfully implement a behavioural feeding intervention with their child in the natural meal routine.

DIRECTIONS:

The West Vancouver Memorial Library is at 1950 Marine Drive:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=1950+Marine+Dr,+West+Vancouver,+BC+V7V+1J8

The library is easily accessible via Highway #1 Upper Levels, taking either the 15th Street or 20th St. exits.

Coffee/Tea and snacks provided. Donations are greatly appreciated (but not required).

Please RSVP to <asbcnorthshore@yahoo.ca>.

Carol and Dragos
(Co-facilitators for ASBC North Shore Group)

[Mike & Jean]

To learn more about the Auton case, the autism treatment movement in BC, and what they mean to your family – watch "Medicare's Orphans" at http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

Thank you,Sabrina Freeman, and the 30 families who made Auton possible.

"Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has".

[Nancy Walton]

Thank you Bev, for reminding us of this day, 9 years ago. I remember it well. It was a blow to our moral. But we licked our wounds and got ready for the next battle. It was a stark reminder of the Goliath that we continue to fight to this day. As if we don't have enough to deal with.

Auton did bring us some Autism Funding. But it's important for all parents to realize how easy it could be to lose it. And it's only together, that we can get what our children deserve. I urge all parents to get involved in the organizations that Bev mentioned. Pay it forward.

[Bev Sharpe]

9 years ago today, November 19, 2004 the Auton decision was rendered by the Supreme Court of Canada.

This judgment upheld the findings of fact from the BC Supreme Court that ABA Treatment was medically-necessary. The judgement failed our children by not ordering the provinces to pay for this treatment.
The serious flaw in the Supreme Court of Canada judgement was that this court, the highest court in the land, did not wanted to force the provinces how to spend their health care dollars.

What Auton did was put a spotlight on the inhumane exclusion of our autistic children from Medicare.

What can you do?

Continue your child’s ABA treatment program – it is the single treatment with the science , data and efficacy behind it – it works.

Keep informed. Sign up for the free newsletter from Association for Science in Autism Treatment at:
http://www.asatonline.org/signuphttp://www.asatonline.org/signup

Join Medicare for Autism Now! Their website: medicareforautismnow.org
Your autistic child is a Canadian citizen who is worthy of their core treatment need for ABA and worthy of being included in Medicare.

Get active with Civil Rights Now! People living with a disability in British Columbia do not have the legal rights and protections they believe that they have. Anyone and everyone, as a result of an accident, an illness or merely by getting older can become vulnerable. And that’s why everyone needs to get involved in this campaign. Their website is: civilrightsnow.ca

Read and understand the Auton and Hewko decisions. These decisions outline critical facts which you can use to advocate for your children’s treatment both at home and in school.

Thank you to Dr. Sabrina Freeman for founding Families for Early Autism Treatment and for your tireless work on both the Auton and Hewko cases.
Thank you to each and every family who courageously carries on a treatment program for their child.

[Super Dad]

North Shore ASBC Lecture Series

The North Shore ASBC Support Group proudly presents:

Basic Verbal Communication
Teaching Speaking and Listening to Early Learners

by
Joan Broto, Ph.D., BCBA-D
CABAS Associate Behavior Analyst

at
7:00pm, Tue Nov 19

in
Welsh Hall West
downstairs in the
West Vancouver Memorial Library

GUEST SPEAKER:

Joan received her Ph.D. in Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she was trained by Dr. R. Douglas Greer in the prestigious CABAS system. She is one of the very few consultants who have gone through such intensive ABA training. Joan’s research focuses on verbal behaviour and Verbal Developmental Theory.

TOPIC:

Joan will discuss:
– The basic operants of verbal behaviour;
– Form vs. function of verbal behaviour;
– Basic listener functions and how to teach listener literacy;
– Basic speaker functions and how to teach mands and tacts.

DIRECTIONS:

The West Vancouver Memorial Library is at 1950 Marine Drive:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=1950+Marine+Dr,+West+Vancouver,+BC+V7V+1J8

The library is easily accessible via Highway #1 Upper Levels, taking either the 15th Street or 20th St. exits.

Coffee/Tea and snacks provided. Donations are greatly appreciated (but not required).

Please RSVP to <asbcnorthshore@yahoo.ca>.

Carol, Dragos and Tina
(Co-facilitators for ASBC North Shore Group)

[Dione Costanzo]

Parent Information and Support Meeting this Thurs November 14!

Time: 7:00pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, 16555 Fraser Hwy, Surrey, BC V4N 0E9
Topic: The ABA Support Network is sponsoring a series of parent information meetings.

The goal of these meetings is to provide information about quality ABA for parents with a new autism spectrum disorder (asd) diagnosis, and for parents that want to learn more about autism and ABA.

These meetings are open to parents from all areas. We will have special guests speak at each of these meetings and parents are asked to please RSVP for whichever date(s) you will be attending to Tamara at tamara_desilva@hotmail.com

Guest Speakers Nov 14 – Louise Witt will talk about her experience as a parent, why she chose ABA, what it’s like to run a home team and what it has done for her son, Jack. Louise will be joined by Junior Consultants Lindsay Parrott and Julee Bassetto.

There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion, questions and networking with other parents.

Please RSVP to tamara_desilva@hotmail.com THANK YOU!

Please share this with your contacts and help us grow our network of parents and professionals sharing knowledge, experience and support.

[Dione Costanzo]

November 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

Looking for a support group? Our Neighborhood Network Meetings are groups of parents who hold monthly meetings to discuss setting up and running a home based intervention program as well as ongoing issues such as administration, funding, finding a consultant and BI's, school, etc… These groups are formed in different areas so that parents have local connections and support.

PLEASE CONTACT any facilitator listed below and they can help you connect with other families.

Autism Diagnosis? Parents Helping Parents Information Series

This is a new monthly event for new parents – please help us spread the word

Date: Wednesday, November 14

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex

Topic: The ABA Support Network is sponsoring a series of parent information meetings.
The goal of these meetings is to provide information about quality ABA for parents with a new autism spectrum disorder (asd) diagnosis, and for parents that want to learn more about autism and ABA or are looking for a support group.

These meetings are open to parents from all areas.

Guest Speakers Nov 14 – Louise Witt will talk about her experience as a parent, why she chose ABA, what it’s like to run a home team and what it has done for her son, Jack. Louise will be joined by BCBA Interns Lindsay Parrott and Julee Bassetto.

There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion, questions and networking with other parents.

Please share this with your contacts and help us grow our network of parents and professionals sharing knowledge, experience and support. THANK YOU http://abasupportnetwork.com/docs/Parent%20Info%20Series%20Flyer%202.JPG

RSVP to tamara_desilva@hotmail.com

Richmond Autism Resource Fair (2nd Annual)

Date: Saturday November 23, 2013

Time: 9:00am-3:00pm

Location: RA Mcmath Secondary School 4251 Garry Street, Richmond, British Columbia

The ABA Support Network is participating in the resource fair at the 2nd Annual Richmond Autism Resource Fair.

Childcare is not available Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided (if you register!) This is a free event, but registration is required Please call 604 279 7040 or email info@rscl.org to register
To learn more about Autism Resources in Richmond please visit the website: http://www.autismrichmond.ca

The Richmond Autism Interagency Committee presents: Join us for morning presentations from: • Richmond mom and Autism activist, Pam Collins •Local pediatrician, Dr. Behrmann •Youth self advocates, Myles McKie and Shaun Uy •A parent panel covering the preschool to adult years The afternoon will provide you with a hassle-free, no pressure opportunity to meet and mingle with a wide variety of professionals, groups and businesses providing service in the Richmond area.

We are also pleased to welcome the Canucks Autism Network with their CAN VAN Interactive Autism Exhibit!

Surrey SD#36 Advisory Meeting

Date: Wednesday, November 27

Time: 7:00pm

Location: 700-9260 140 St. Surrey BC

Topic: The Advisory will be discussing the latest parent concerns as well as issues and information from their recent meeting with District Administration.

Note new meeting location – Surrey Community College is in another building adjacent to the District Education Centre – same parking lot but at the back of the lot.

Neighborhood Network Meeting – South Surrey/White Rock

Date: Thursday, November 28

Time: 7:30pm

Location: RSVP to abarocks@gmail.com for address

Topic: Parents from South Surrey/White Rock meet to discuss issues about school as well as issues around setting up and maintaining a home based intervention program.

RSVP to abarocks@gmail.com

Neighborhood Network Parent Support Group – Tri-Cities

Are you a Tri-Cities parent looking for a support group? Please contact Jodie at jbtwickens@gmail.com to connect with other parents in this area!

Please forward this information to your network!

[Author]

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