[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

[Nancy Walton]

[Post removed upon author's request.]

[Mike & Jean]

Dear BC-ABA Members,
Please see the attached information regarding MCFD Community Participation and Involvement sessions currently being held across BC.
MCFD is inviting all stakeholders to attend these sessions as they are gathering information to assist in the development of a new Outreach Program for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
BC-ABA highly encourages its members to attend local sessions and voice their desire for high quality of service provision based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
If you are unable to attend, please note that you can participate via survey.
Two surveys are also available NOW through the Autism Community Training website http://www.actcommunity.net/
Or Direct Link:
Survey for Parents and Caregivers:
http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/act-autism-community-training/popycasd-survey/
Survey for Autism Service Providers
http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/act-autism-community-training/popycasd-service-providers

We apologize for the short notice,

BC-ABA Board 2010-2011

[Nancy Walton]

Another idea for the training and then losing therapists problem:

Do not pay for initial training. When we provide training from a lead therapist under the direction of a behavior consultant, that is like taking a college course with guaranteed work once finished. With the money you save, you could pay them a little more when they start with you (or after 3 months).

In my experience, therapists who are willing to train for free are the one's who are in it for the kids and the career, not for the money. They tend to be devoted to the family and usually stay longer.

[Mike & Rachel Goetz]

Regarding therapist 'poaching'…

I think it's important for families to bear in mind that the relationship you have with your therapist is not employer-employee; rather, you are the client and your therapist is a service provider.

It is within your therapist's rights to add clients and create the schedule that best suits them. They must also act carefully not to upset their clients, lest they develop a bad reputation which can hurt them in the long run.

It is also reasonable for another family to try and secure the best possible team for their child's therapy. But families should communicate with one another if there is a problem with scheduling conflicts or concerns over 'poaching'. A family will also not want to develop a bad reputation.

It is troublesome if you lose a therapist after having given them ample training and acclimatization time. I would recommend that you add a clause in your contract that the therapist must repay a mutually-agreed training cost if they terminate the contact before a set period of time. So, for example, you might agree to pay for 32 hours of training, but the therapist agrees to repay this amount if they terminate the contract within 6 months.

Speaking of which – I would always recommend signing a contract with your service provider, with terms clearly stated and agreed-to up-front. You can't make it too onerous, but you can try to account for situations like this. A good contract protects both the family and the service provider and limits unforeseen future problems.

[Nancy Robins]

We used a CCD miniature camera. It has audio and colour video and it’s the size of a book of matches. It was mounted in our therapy room and we were able to view in real-time on a TV outside the room and also record through a VCR. I can sell it because we no longer need it. Let me know if you are interested in purchasing it. email me at whale58@telus.net

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Christine:

We used a sony video camera and there's a device that you can get that you can hook up to 'real time' so you can record but also watch via the tv in 'real/actual time' also. I am not sure what it's called (the hubby set it up) but I am sure you could call a audio store and explain what you need to them and they would know.

As for therapists – are they staying with you and being hired elsewhere? If so then that's a good thing as most of us can't give our staff the hours they require to survive. But yes, I have had this happen – especially with 'new' consultants – they come in – and then call your therapists after – I don't mind – what I find disrespectful is they don't call me first and ask if I am okay with it (which most cases I would be and as long as I discuss with the staff member that my son comes first in the way of schedules,etc.) There was a time when my son was going through some really really rough patches and his one awesome girl was having a time of it (due to behaviors and aggression,etc) and the new consultant offered her a job without asking me and I was upset – due to the fact that it's much easier working with a small docile child than a raging teenager…..on top of that the consultant offered me no helpful info so I was out a good sum of money and a my only good therapist at that time….but my staff I have now are loyal and well trained and my son is doing awesome – so if it's any consultation…the really good ones that are invested in your child and want to be there and really work to make a difference will stay and sure they will work at other places too and that's okay and if they don't stay with you – trust me -they don't have what your kid needs and good riddence. Dr. Foxx said your child needs to know that that therapist is there for him – that no matter – that they will stay and work with him and that's the staff I have now and trust me it's made the world of difference in both my son's life and mine. (that and I do have an awesome consultant who actually really worked with severe kids/adults -unfortunately he's retired and only kept us on or I would give you his number)

But don't be afraid to discuss your concerns with your consultant and explain your concerns. If she's good she will listen.

Barbara

[Christine Bateman]

Can anyone recommend a method or equipment for viewing/recording ABA sessions via camera? Any input much appreciated.

Is anyone having issues with outside "behaviour interventionists" employing their family therapists? One just called to get yet another reference for a therapist on our toddler's team. She has effectively worked her way thru all our family therapists except one now. We find, train and give them a year's experience and then they raid your family. It stinks. If anyone wants to share any thoughts or solutions… or just vent ;-)… please email me.

Ethically shouldn't they limit themselves to taking just one per family. She laughed when I explained my concern. It's so frustrating.

[Nancy Walton]

Meeting Cancellation:

ABA Support Network Meeting is cancelled tonight due to the snow. We will try to rebook the talk on another date. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Topic: Social and Friendship Skills
Guest Speakers: Michele Shilvock, M.Ed. and Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc.

[Dione Costanzo]

"Autism Therapists say payments 5 months late"

CBC News November 23, 2010

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/11/23/bc-autism-payments-delayed.html

Please go to this story, recommend it and comment. More comments and recommendations will push it to the top of the news.

THANKS and PASS IT ON

Dione

[Dione Costanzo]

Surrey, November 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MCFD Payment Policies put Autistic Children in Jeopardy

Over 100 autism treatment service providers have complained they have not received payment for services within 30 days of invoicing the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) within the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). There is already a shortage of these service providers and those currently practicing are being forced to rethink their career choices. Families now risk losing current therapists and cannot attract new ones willing to put up with such financial uncertainty.

In September 2009 the Hon. Minister Mary Polak eliminated a Direct Funding option where parents could pay their service providers through a trust account. At that time, parents were assured that late payment problems would be dealt with. In the year that followed, these problems, in fact, worsened.

When contacted on October 4th, 2010 about the poorly managed AFU the Hon. Minister Mary Polak responded by saying "I know we've cleared the backlog and are continuing to work to solve other issues as they are raised by families and providers". However, featbc has confirmation that the problems are not resolved and service providers continue to not get paid within 30 days.

There are over 6,000 children in this province with Autism Spectrum Disorder who require therapy. Accessed through MCFD, this treatment will directly affect a child’s future. The difference between treatment and no treatment can also mean the difference between lifelong independence versus institutionalization.

Since autism treatment is not covered under Medicare, the amount of therapy a child receives depends directly on what families can afford to pay beyond the inadequate funding provided through MCFD. Despite its mandate to protect these children, current MCFD policies are actually interfering with access to treatment.

All attempts to communicate this to MCFD have fallen on deaf ears.

Last week British Columbians became painfully aware of what can happen to BC’s most vulnerable children when the Ministry for Child and Family Development drops the ball. MCFD indifference is allowing more of BC’s vulnerable children to fall through the cracks. Meanwhile, families trying to cope with the stress of autism are living nightmares every day as they struggle to keep therapists for their children.

-30-

(For further information contact Louise Witt at (604) 538-1370 or spokesperson@featbc.org)

[Author]

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