[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

[Louise Watson]

Hi I dont know anything about gateway but I do know that ABA works. We started in august and have seen great improvement.Our son is three and a half, we started with only 15 hours a week(finances) and saw reslults.Every child is different but I think any is better than none, email me if you want to talk more at ruewatson@hotmail.com

[Erik Minty]

I have no experience with the Gateway program, but we started our ABA program at about 15 hrs/week. After a few months, it was so successful that we doubled it to 30 hrs/week. (It definitely helped that IEII funding kicked in at that point too.)

From what I've seen on this discussion group, our experience (success-wise) is far from unique.

[Deleted User]

Just decided to write down some thoughts and am hopeful for some/any advice. I have recently just hired a consultant through Gateway after being approved for the IEII program for my four year old daughter. AT present, I am trying to educate myslef on the "system" if you will with respect to getting HELP!! It seems to me that these people I am hoping to come to my rescue basically do not feel any need for urgency (contradicts the EARLY in the IEII!). My daughter at present is so not ready for kindergarten and it is a meer 7 1/2 months away!! I have decided to go through this route to get "behavioral intervention" through Gateway (due more to finances than anything). I am so torn that this might not be as effective as I am hoping (whenever we get started that is!!) I was wondering if there is parent(s) who have gone this route with no success (I know every child is unique)and regreted this decision and then turned to ABA for hope of greater success. I am just so anxious right now to start some sort of routine with daughter. Does FEAT believe that ABA could be effective at maybe a 1/2 program?

[Deleted User]

To Jean Lewis

Do you have an agenda for the Shelley Davis workshop? I am interested in what will be covered each day and at what times.

Thank you

Allison.

[Mike & Jean]

Subject: Shelley Davis Workshop – Jan 18-19, 2003

Happy New Year Everyone!

Shelley Davis, Behavioural Consultant is coming to SFU on Jan. 18-19, 2003 to present a workshop entitled “A.B.A. in the Real World”

Shelley’s workshop will cover:
A.B.A. programs for children over six
A.B.A. basics from therapy room to the real world
The “B” (behaviour) in A.B.A. How significant is it?
The importance of ‘instructional control’
Matching programming to the child
Teaching ‘skills’ vs ‘concepts’
School issues
Data Collection – why and how
Plus much more

There will also be a parent panel each day with video and parent commentary around children of various ages and placement on the autism spectrum

Who should come?

Everyone; all parents – whether you have a program or not
Therapists and consultants for home based ABA programs
School aides, teachers, resource staff
Speech pathologists, infant development specialists
Students
Health care professionals

Shelley’s workshops are always very informative, fun and packed – so register now as it is filling up fast! Download a registration form from the FEAT of BC web-site (go to featbc.org, then go to FEAT Events, it is the second downloadable form.)

See you there,
Jean Lewis

[Deleted User]

We were interviewed today by CHBC News from Kelowna, regarding a fund raiser we did on New Years Eve to raise funds for our son Matthews ABA program. We held a New Years Eve dance to bring in 2003 at our local arena here in Nakusp,(3 hours east of Kelowna). We had a group of volunteers who helped put on the event and a great time was had by all. We raised about $3000 to put towards the program, and had a great evening into the bargain! CHBC News got wind of the event and came up to Nakusp this morning to do a story on us. They say it may air anytime during the next week, for those of you who are in the covereage area. I will try to get a specific date and time. My usual 'take charge,I'm in complete control' attitude melted in front of the camera and I think I babbled a fair amount of the time! Anyhow,I hope it will give more insight into the plight of our children and the difficulties we face with inadequate funding.

Allison.
Matthews Mom.

[Nancy Walton]

Happy New Year Everyone,

I have heard from some parents concern about lack of consultants, particularly in the fraser valley (Abbotsford, Chilliwack), so I asked my consultant and she told me that the Early Autism is taking intakes and will gladly serve the upper fraser valley as well as the rest of BC.
Their number is 604-473-5011.

Also, there will be a line therapist training workshop put on by the Early Autism Project On Jan 11th from 9am – 1pm. Non-EAP therapist are welcome to register. They should contact Sean at the phone number above. This is a great workshop for new parents and new therapists.

Best of luck to everyone in 2003

Nancy (Casey's mom)

[Deleted User]

Copied from Careerclick.com

Behavioural Consultants – MAPCL

BEHAVIOURAL CONSULTANT
Mainstream Association for Proactive Community Living is seeking full-time Behavioural Consultants with knowledge & experience in early intervention techniques to provide support programs and develop behavioural intervention strategies for children with autism spectrum disorders. A graduate degree in Psychology is an asset for this position. One to three years’ previous experience in direct service to people with developmental disabilities and training in behavioural psychology with emphasis in the field of developmental delays is required.

FAX (or mail) resume and cover letter to:

MAPCL- Human Resources…..(etc)

"a graduate degree in Psychology is an asset" …what's up with that? shouldn't it be mandatory? "One to three year's experience in direct service to people with developmental disabilities and training in …" Gee there are many Line Therapists out there that would fit their criteria? I hope this is not something the government is going to try to use to tell the public there is "effective" services out there under Community Living Services.

Maybe it is I who is out of touch and this is not a threat to our children – if that is the case PLEASE enlighten me – if I am right – is the government trying a different approach to offering our children sub-standard care?

This post is not an invitation for flaming; I would just like to know if I am misunderstanding this job posting. Thanks.

[Mike & Jean]

Subject: Shelley Davis Workshop – Jan 18-19, 2003

Hi everyone,

Shelley Davis is coming to Simon Fraser University to do a two day workshop on Jan. 18-19, 2003. So circle your calendars and circle your wagons because it will be great!

Shelley is a behavioural consultant with over 25 years experience. Besides having a huge client group in California, she consults for dozens of kids and families in B.C. Shelley in partnership with FEAT of BC has presented fabulous A.B.A. workshops in B.C. over the past eight years. We are delighted that her schedule allows for her to present again in January 2003.

Some of the issues her workshop will address are:

– A.B.A. basics from the therapy room to the real world
– the "B" (behaviour) in A.B.A. How significant is it?
– matching programming to the child
– teaching skills vs concepts
– the importance of "instructional control"
– school issues

And my personal favourite:

– ABA programs for kids over six

Plus much, much more.

Who should attend? Everyone!, parents, therapists, consultants, school personnel, speech therapists etc. and especially anyone who thinks ABA doesn't work after the age of six (or believes the earth is flat).

Registration information will be available via the FEAT web-site in the next couple of weeks – but don't forget – circle Jan. 18-19, 2003 today because Shelley's workshops are always informative and fun (and packed!).

On another note, I had the opportunity to attend the "A.B.A. & school – Weaving it all together" workshop presented by Liza Wincz on Saturday Nov 16th. Lisa did a fabulous job outlining what our kids need in school. I was also pleased by how well attended it was, especially by school personnel. Once again a great job Lisa! Thank you so much!

I will post more information re the Shelley Davis workshop shortly.

Regards, Jean Lewis

[Deleted User]

The following information gleaned from: http://www.autismoutreach.org/question.htm

I check this one periodically to just make sure I know exactly what I'm getting myself into as I start to work towards becoming a consultant.

*****

Tips for Interviewing an ABA Consultant
Make sure to check around your surrounding area for Consultants
Get information packets from at least 3 different organizations
Ask other parents for referrals
Ask for references (both for the Organization and Consultant)

Questions to Ask Organizations
How long has the Organization been in business?
Does the Organization have an affiliation with any other Organizations?
What is the Organizations’ philosophy?
What methodologies does the Organization endorse?
Does each Consultant working in the Organization have the same level of credentials?
If not, what are the differences among the consultants?
What is the fee structure, how is it set up?
What is the hourly rate and how is the hour billed?
What are the travel costs?
Is there a charge for email and phone consultation?
How do the consultants communicate with families (email/phone/fax/in-person visits/etc.)
Does each consultant have office hours?
Do consultants offer therapy or shadowing?

Education
What degree does the Consultant hold?
What is the Consultant’s major of study?
Is the Consultant board certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board?
If so, when?
If not, when does Consultant expect to complete qualifications to obtain certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board

Experience
How long has the Consultant been programming?
Where and by whom was the Consultant trained?
What methodologies has the Consultant been trained in?
Has the Consultant ever worked 1:1 using the types of methodologies he/she has been trained in and using to program?
What age range has the Consultant worked with?
What developmental range has the Consultant worked with?
Does the Consultant have experience in programming for other disabilities as well as Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Oh, and for parents looking to hire new therapists or setting up a team for the first time, you might find this site particularly informative, it's all about hiring therapists (called 'tutors' here): http://207.21.243.44/feat/tutor.html

-Janna (as always, just trying to spread information!)

[Author]

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