[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]

South Fraser ASBC meeting is this Thurs. Feb 10th, 7-9pm. The address is 15306 24Ave South Surrey.

A big thanks to Laurie Romey, Pam Mihic and Dr. Glen Davies for speaking at our last meeting and inspiring us to do all we can to forge ahead and set up quality ABA progarms for our children.

Our next meeting will be a question and answer period. If you attended Jean Lewis' talk at the "Brown Bag" ASBC meeting meeting, you may have thought up more questions that need answers. For those of you who missed it, we will share information on starting up an ABA team. For those who are already running teams, you can gain ideas for improving or maintaining a quality team. Experienced parents are welcome to come help out those new to the club. There is nothing more rewarding than helping others.

Hope to see you there.

Nancy Walton

[Nancy Walton]

March 12th Conference Strongly recommended!!

I have been involved in the autism community since my son was diagnosed 5 years ago. In that time, I have attended several workshops and conferences. For me, the most powerful speaker I have had the pleasure of hearing is Dr. Bobby Newman. He is able to give a deep understanding into why our children behave as they do and how we can shape and change that behavior.

My vow was to make sure that if Bobby Newman ever came back to Vancouver I would make sure my husband came to hear him this time. I strongly recommend that all parents come to see Dr. Newman speak. This is a rare opportunity, at a reasonalbe price.

AND, apparently, people tell me that Dr. Joanne E Gerenser is just as powerful a speaker. This makes this conference a double bonus event.

Early registration ends Feb 25. I urge you to register both parents, therapists and pass this info on your speech and language therapist if you have one. Anyone who is involved with your child, should come to this conference. (my problem is who do I leave behind to babysit….)

Registration form can be downloaded at http://www.autismbc.ca/pdfs/ASATconf150.pdf

Hope to see you there.

Nancy Walton

[Nancy Walton]

If you have a LIFE (Lovaas Institute) consultant could you please contact me. Thanks

Nancy Walton
wiklo@shaw.ca

[Mike & Jean]

Just a reminder – Registration info. for the upcoming workshop,"Autism Treatment-Whats Science got to with it", can be downloaded from the FEAT website by going to "FEAT EVENTS and clicking on https://www.featbc.org/downloads/ASATconference.pdf

Jean

[Avery Raskin]

Hi all:

Jean has already posted the whole nine yards about the
conference. I just want to encourage anyone who sees a speech
pathologist with their child to pass along the word about this
workshop to them — your speech path will definitely want to
see Joanne Gerenser (and they get continuing education credit
for it too :-)…

And if you're looking for the registration form, you can
download it here:

http://www.autismbc.ca/pdfs/ASATconf150.pdf

See you on March 12.

[Mike & Jean]

Attention parents, therapists, consultants, speech pathologists etc. Following is information about our FEAT/ASAT/ASBC workshop on Saturday, March 12, 2005. The information provided at this event is crucial for parents and professionals, especially now. Don't be disappointed, book early. Registration information is on the Autism Society's website: http://www.autismbc.ca. March 12, 2005, One-Day Workshop entitled: "Autism – What's Science got to do with it?" : Integrating science-based interventions, including: speech pathology into intensive behavioural treatment programs.
Featuring Special Guest Speakers: Bobby Newman, PhD BCBA, Dr. Sabrina Freeman (Sociologist & author of the book Teach Me Language) and Joanne E. Gerenser, MA, CCC-SLP.
Bobby Newman, Ph.D., BCBA
Bobby Newman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and licensed psychologist. He is the President of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, Past-President of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis, and is on the adjunct faculty of Queens College. Bobby is the Director of Training and Research at Association in the Metroarea for Autistic Citizens (AMAC) and Supervising Psychologist for Effective Interventions, Inc. His books include Behaviorspeak, When Everybody Cares: Case Studies of ABA with People with Autism, Words From Those Who Care, Graduated Applied Behavior Analysis, No Virtue in Accident and The Reluctant Alliance. He has consulted and designed programs for children and adults diagnosed with autistic-spectrum disorders all over the United States as well as in Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and England. Dr. Newman has been honored for his work by several parents’ groups. He has hosted a regular radio call-in program and lectures all over the world.
Joanne E. Gerenser, M.A., CCC-SLP
Joanne Gerenser is the Executive Director of the Eden II Programs in Staten Island, New York, an educational, residential and adult services program for individuals with autism and related disorders. She holds a Master’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and a Clinical Certificate of Competency from the American Speech and Hearing Association. Ms. Gerenser lectures internationally on issues in autism and developmental disabilities.
Sabrina Freeman, Ph.D.
Sabrina Freeman holds a Doctorate in Sociology from Stanford University and has been a tireless advocate for the rights of children with autism to science-based treatment since 1996, when she founded the first autism advocacy movement in Canada, FEATBC, dedicated to providing universal access to medically necessary health care for children with autism. Dr. Freeman’s books include Teach Me Language, A Language Manual for Children with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Related Developmental Disorders, and Science for Sale in the Autism Wars. Dr. Freeman lives in BC with her husband, son, and 16-year-old daughter with autism.
Sponsored in-association with ASAT (Association for Science in Autism Treatment) and in-cooperation with FEATBC (Families for Early Autism Treatment British Columbia), this is the first of on-going, high caliber, state-of-the-art, science-based workshops which will provide parents and professionals with vital information on behavioural research and scientifically validated best practices in the treatment of autism – presented by recognized leaders in the field.
What is ASAT? The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) is a US national not-for-profit organization formed by a group of parents and professionals. ASAT’s mission is to disseminate accurate, scientifically sound information about autism and treatments for autism, and to improve access to effective, science-based treatments for all people with autism, regardless of age, severity of condition, income or place of residence.
What is ASBC? Since 1975, the Autism Society of British Columbia (ASBC) has been representing and providing support to individuals with autism and their families in B.C. and the Yukon. ASBC is a parent-based and directed non-profit society whose goals are to promote understanding, acceptance, and full community inclusion for people with autism in B.C., while providing support for the realization of the rights and informed choices of individuals with autism and their families.
What is FEATBC? Established in 1996, Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC (FEAT of BC) is a non-profit, volunteer organization of parents and concerned professionals working for universal access to effective autism treatment for all children diagnosed with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Its goal is making effective science-based autism treatment available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
Why Should You Attend This Conference? Until recently autism was considered to be lifelong and severely incapacitating. However, scientific investigation has demonstrated that, with early, effective and validated intervention, individuals with autism can make significant improvements and lead lives filled with hope, promise and purpose. Some, in fact, can achieve normal social and intellectual functioning. Despite these profound advances, parents and professionals still experience great difficulty in obtaining effective treatment for people with autism. Controversy over what constitutes effective treatment contributes to this difficulty.
Who Should Attend This Conference?
This conference is designed for parents, professionals, including speech and language pathologists, educators and anyone who has an interest in scientifically should information about autism and effective information.

I have attended previous conferences where these dynamic speakers have presented. They offer very practical,applicable information in a straight forward and understandable manner. We are extremely fortunate to have them together for this event.

Location: Mulgrave School, West Vancouver, BC
Cost:

Early Bird Registration (postmarked before February 25, 2005):
$75.00 for parents, students & non-professionals
$125.00 for professionals
(Please note that SLPs can receive CEU credits for attendance.)
Standard Registration (postmarked after February 25, 2005):
$90.00 for parents, students & non-professionals
$145.00 for professionals
(Please note that SLPs can receive CEU credits for attendance.)
The aim of this conference is to offer clearly articulated, science-based, state-of-the-art information on behavioral research in autism treatment and provide vital information on scientifically validated best practises in the treatment of autism.
Due to space constraints, walk-in registration can not be guaranteed. Download the registration form from http://www.autismbc.ca.

See you on March 12th!
Jean

[Paul & Christel Vigoren]

I would like to address those parents who have an autistic adolescent, who have received ABA therapy through the years, yet find that due to their high needs, will be looking at a group home situation.

I am one of those parents.

My daughter has just turned 18 and her future is very much our concern. I would like to see my adolescent in a Christian group home, with staff experienced in ABA therapy, including a consultant overseeing the therapists.

If you desire the same thing, please contact me at hikingisgreat@hotmail.com.

I would like to approach an agency such as Bethesda, and let them know that there are concerned parents wanting a specialized group home for their soon-to-be adult children and that the therapy started at home must continue in order to provide the best quality of life for them.

[Nancy Walton]

Tony, please give me a call regarding your family situation and putting a therapists in with your child in preschool.

Nancy Walton
604-538-8021

[Super Dad]

I am about to put one of my therapists into my son's Montessori preschool. Would someone please tell me what she's supposed to do in the classroom?

I will ask the therapist to make sure the kid pays attention to and participates in whatever is going on, but I suspect that's not sufficiently intense.

I have imagined these possibilities:
1. The therapist teaches the same curriculum as the Montessori teacher, but adds repetition and reinforcement, and takes data.
2. The therapist brings material from our home program to supplement the curriculum.

Please share your experience. Thank you very much in advance.

Tony (Leo's dad)

[Nancy Walton]

South Fraser ASBC meeting Thursday January 13, 7-9 pm.

Who Would Benifit from an ABA Program?

ABA is not just for 3-5 year olds who may recover. Dr. Glen Davies will be giving a talk about how ABA can be benificial to autistics of all ages and of all levels of functioning. Following his presentation, Laurie Romey will introduce you to her son who has recovered, Pam Mihic will talk about the gains her 16 year old made and I will talk about reasons for continuing a program when recovery is no longer the goal.

I strongly recommend this talk for new dianosis parents or parents who looking for better alternatives for their children.

As well, this talk is open to politicians, social workers, superintendants of schools, MCFD policy makers, M of Education policy makers, cupe workers, teachers…..anyone who is at all involved with autistic children. I urge all parents to contact any of the above and invite them to this talk.

The talk is at Semiahmoo House Society, 15306 24th Ave, South Surrey.

Entrance is FREE… pop and cookies provided.

Nancy Walton

[Author]

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