[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

[Dave Collyer]

Hello Tina,

Lots of folks with kids who do not have Autism have left BDParty or other events when their kids have had a melt down. Just remember that… My first boy who does not have Autism had regular tantrums and was quite tuff to manage. We left more then one social event as a result. I recall frequently being so upset by his behavior that I had my own tantrum and did not do so great a job as a parent. Ilook back in embarsement now at those moments. Not embarsement about my son's behavior though. My embarasement is rooted firmly in my own behavior. In hind site I could have been far more proactive. My youngest (who has DownSynrome and Autism) is often the focus of attention at social gatherings… I just tell folks what is up. Saves needing to explain more extreme behavior when it occurs.
IMO it is OK to tell people that your son has Autism and that he is sensitive to loud noises or whatever and has difficulty figuring out how to manage these sorts of things… so he runs or has a melt down or whatever. It is who he is… those people who are more enlightened in my social circle actually go out of there way to make the social gathering more "Autism" friendly for him (in your case maybe no more balloons or loud noise makers…). I tell people. Those that can handle it and respond so as to include my son are my real freinds. Those that exclude him or don't try to accomodate him are no longer my friends. The people that care about you and your son will try… they may not get it right but they will try and that is so cool.

I dunno if popping the balloons afer the party as a "test" was such a good thing though. He was upset at the party and now he might be a bit upset with you to. I'd say no more balloons for a loooong time now and then maybe you could try a very careful de-sensitization program with him but I would do a heck of a lot of research about that sort of program before trying it. Talk to your consultant.

So… tell people. Your son has Autism. It is part of who he is… Oh ya… remember to give him a hug or whatever you do to tell him you love him.

Dave.
drcollyer@shaw.ca

[Tina]

Help…
I had a really bad day today and really need some advice from you if you've ever been in this situation. I took my autistic boy to a birthday party which was invited by his classmate. The people there didn't know he has autism as I don't want to and my son looks okay and has very less behavior. But he drove me cazy today . The party just started a couple minutes and two of the balloons there popped. He startled when the 1st one popped. The second one popped in a minute later and he started to run away.I tried whatever I could to calm him down but nothing could help ( I even took him for a walk and returned to the house later , he was still scared of the ballloons there). We ended up leaving the party and every one was left surprised when I explained to them that he was afraid of the sounds of the popped balloons. I came home and blew up some balloons and popped some on purpose to see how he react and he acted the same way. I finally had to move all the ballloon out of his sight. If you've ever experience this with your child or in similar situation, would you please contact me and share your experience or intervention in such case. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Tina
tnkaccount@yahoo.com

[Deleted User]

The posts asking for qualified instructors helps me see where I fit in. I'm somewhere in the ASD myself, so if kids started yelling and protesting that they could not possibly learn to swim, I'd be on their side — so I cannot be an instructor yet, can I ? Which videos on the Lovaas method or ABA should I be watching first ???

The only thing I can say is "When I was 5 I was exactly like you. By the time I was 8 I had learnt to cycle well. At 12 I mysteriously started to like swimming…" And so on. Perhaps because being near water calmed me ?

George
2005 B.C.

[Isaac]

Hello everyone,

Here is a recommended read for members of this discussion group who are interested in science-based autism research that’s happening right now.

–> https://featbc.org/downloads/Science_06_05.pdf

In the June article from ‘Science’, the Journal's author presents new findings — based on MRI brain-scan research — that suggest a possible “paradigm shift” in what we know about autism.

This research is important stuff. It sure would be gratifying to know that one or more Canadian universities were part of this kind of valuable research work, but alas, to the best of my knowledge this type (or quality) of autism research is not happening anywhere North of the 49th. To be fair, perhaps Paul Martin has some kind of as yet unannounced government 5-year plan for innovation and research in the works of which I’m not aware.

The autism study covered in the ‘Science’ article is pure research thus far (read: no treatment implications yet) but it significantly moves the field forward. The piece is a very refreshing read, as contrasted against the pabulum regularly served up by mainstream media’s coverage of this disorder.

Isaac

[Super Dad]

To Natalie Ng:

Please contact me at <jledata@yahoo.com>.

Tony

[Natalie Ng]

Can someone tell me where can I find a good behavioural consultant. My son's consultant resigned in June and I still have no luck to fill up the position. I contacted the EAP earlier and they turned me down because my son doesn't meet their intake criteria. This is becoming urgent as school will be starting soon.

Thanks.

[Christine Hung]

I need Advise

My 3 1/2 daughter's ABA program is going to start at the end of September. However, I have just heard of another option of intensive session with the SLP. My daughter is mild on the spectrum but severely impaired in speech and language(she is verbal but we still need to work on the clarity). A parent told me that her son actually did not go thru ABA but rather he had intensive SLP sessions, and it worked out great.
I am now lookng at 25 hours a week for the ABA, but I sort of want to cut down a few hours to fit in SLP sessions.
ANY advise? Desperately need one

[Jacqueline and Dennis Bell]

Hi!!

I am posting for a friend, who trying to get her son assessed.

First she problems getting a user ID. Her emails are not getting answered. So If some one in charge could email her and help that would be apperciated.

Second She wanted to know if anyone had any opion on getting the private assesment done through Pivot Point. (Basiclly any opions on pivot point would be appreciated)

Her name is Raeleen..
Her emails is
rae_den@shaw.ca

Thanks for your help.

[Isaac]

Yet another autism treatment study has been published showing that intensive behavioural treatment for autism (A.K.A. Lovaas-ABA) really works and — importantly — is more effective than the potpourri of "eclectic" offerings that government-owned academic hacks and quacks are so very fond of pushing in Canada.

You can read about the research here: https://featbc.org/downloads/Cal_State_08_05_05.pdf

[Deleted User]

EVENT REMINDER — TONIGHT IN SOUTH SURREY

Regardless of the choice you’ve made treatment wise, if you are the parent of an Autistic child you absolutely need to attend this event in order to know which questions to ask and know what is possible in the field of Autism treatment.

It is an absolute gift to have such leading edge information being presented here in BC, four months prior to publication, FREE of charge!

Space still available – All are welcome – See below for details.
____________

Recovery from Autism Possible

Dr. Glen Sallows, Director of Early Autism Project, presents powerful new research that proves full recovery from Autism possible in 48% of treated cases.

In his presentation Dr. Sallows will describe the treatment approach, predictors for success and residual symptoms of “best outcome” children as well as cognitive improvements made by all children in the study using Lovaas-ABA.

The Early Autism Project is one of several worldwide research projects working to replicate the original findings of Dr. Ivar Lovaas in his groundbreaking work with young children with autism.

EAP is the first of these projects to achieve the same proportion of "best outcome" children as the original study. 48% of children receiving Lovaas-based treatment developed cognitive abilities, language skills and adaptive functioning in the average range–and would no longer be diagnosed as Autistic. Results of the four-year study will be published in the American Journal on Mental Retardation in November 2005.

Glen Sallows, Ph.D. is the Director of both the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) and the Early Autism Project in Vancouver. He has been working in the field of autism for over 20 years. Dr. Sallows trained under Dr. Ivar Lovaas at the University of California, Los Angeles becoming proficient in using techniques known as Applied Behavioural Analysis(ABA), otherwise known as The Lovaas Program.

All are welcome for this groundbreaking event, graciously sponsored by the Autism Society of BC. Entrance is by donation. Coffee and treats supplied.

Thursday, August 4, 2005
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Semiahmoo House Society
15306 24th Ave
South Surrey
RSVP: wiklo@shaw.ca
604-434-0880

[Author]

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