[David Chan]

Thanks michelle,

There isn't really much more to add to the discussion

I think what we have here after all the scholarly discussion and
academic citations is a failure to commit.

It's our job to find the best treatment for our kids. So good luck
with the comparison shopping. And lets hope the chosen
treatment is compatible with the postal code that is chosen.

Good Science is one thing, but Good Real Estate, well……..

Deeply in debt, and livin' in a shack
but living la vida Lovaas

Mr. P's Dad

[David Chan]

Hey all,

We are back from Outdoor Ed. The entire grade seven class
went to the Westcoast wilderness lodge for 4 days and 3 nights
of Outdoor education.

I was one of the parent supervisors.

Before we left I had serious reservations about being away for
that long with Mr. P. Cuz the place is totally unfamiliar, and
pretty much everything we will be doing would be NEW.

But Hey, no guts, no glory , right!

Off we went on the Charter bus all 39 kids and parents and
teachers off to Egmont on the Sunshine Coast.

There were out door activities galore. And like building a shelter,
kayaking, hiking, Archery, and a ropes course (this is where you
balance on ropes, have your teamates help you through the
course)

Well low and behold, Mr. P did all of the activities with a
minimum of fuss. No whining, Ok, a little whining, he wanted to
sing some of HIS songs at the campfire, but we decide it would
be best that he just sang along with the others.

Mr. P had a great time and learned a few new skills. I asked him
what his favorite activity was the wire bridge on the ropes
course, and when asked Why he liked it, he answered, it was
because he could do it "ALL BY MYSELF".

I think it's kind of telling, in that I think he is starting to feel the
need to be independent. I can't think that is a bad thing.

What I also learned, is that when a child has been properly
integrated into his class, there was never a question of whether
he was going to participate, it was a matter How he was going to
participate.

When he was ready to go up, to tell a joke, one of his friends
went up with him. When we were on the ferry, I ask one of the
boys to 'hang out" with Mr. P , and that was not a problem. They
didn't ditch him, just hung out.

I think what it tells me is that children in general are very
excepting, and helpful when they have been introduced to it
properly.

The other thing that I observed is when I spoke to the teachers
about this particular grade 7 class, which was so pro-social. All
of them said the same thing to me, "May be it was Mr. P that
brings out the good in the other kids" I never really thought
about it that way

When you have child that has needs that are greater than the
norm. The message given by all the adult experts and
professionals is that you will have to give them extra. Its rarely
mentioned that "The Child" will make a valuable contribution to
us as well.

I always get a little anxious when there is a new situation that
Mr. P has to deal with. More often than not, the outcome, is as
good or better than us parental units anticipate.

For now at least, our family has made another step. And who
knows what will be next, but sometime, I think these small
victories will help us continue our journey.

Well that's all for now from our camp.
Everyone, keep up the all the good work.

Dave,
Mr. P's dad

P.S. What are we thinking, giving this kid a Bow and Arrow, but
hey, he actually hit the target, what do ya know ?

[David Chan]

Hi all,

For the first time, Mr. P is playing organized soccer.

There were a few injuries, and absentees, so there were exactly
11 players in the first half.

I have to say that it was pretty gratifying to see Mr. P drag his
bu__ up and down that field for 45 mins.

We had a substiution in the second half and Mr. P sat out, but
the understanding we had was that he had to pay attention to
the game, cuz coach could call him in to sub. So he watched the
game.

One of the boys was playing hurt, and from the crowd I could
hear one of the "DADs" on our team, say to the coach–"why
don't you play Mr. P" and then some of the mom's chimed in as
well

You all have no idea how moved I was. PLEASE RECOGNIZE that
Mr. P is following the ball somewhat, but David Beckham he is
NOT. Heck he probably makes contact with the ball twice in a
game.

I was really touched, so I needed to share with everyone. He was
just one of the kids.

We realized for 45 mins this afternoon, Mr. P was just another
boy, playing his heart out, draggin' his bu__, breakin' a sweat.

That dear friends is why we do Lovaas ABA therapy.
All the work, the hiring , the training, the consultants, all the
logistics involved in setting up a therapy.-

So one 12 year old boy could be in OUR WORLD, and not in a
world of his own.

Dave
Mr. P's Dad

P.S. our team won 2-1, but the big winners were Mr. P, and his
parents

[David Chan]

just a quick note to Tony,
Don't forget to approach guys too. Since there are four times as
many boys as girls. Boys need model behaviours from guys.

We've been fortunate to have a guy on our team for the last few
years. It's a really good thing

Girl therapists are cool don't get me wrong, but as the boys get
older, the gender thing does come into play

just my 2 cents

Mr. P's Dad
Dave

[David Chan]

I am posting for another parent

Hi,

My name is Jing, and I have a newly diagnosed 4 year old
son. I live in the West End, If there are any families near
by
that is running an Lovaas ABA program I would love to
hear from you. I am in the process of starting a program
for my son and would like to observe a session for a
younger child.

My Telephone number is 604-899-0896
and my email is
caojing@forneednet.com

Thanks a lot

Jing Cao

[David Chan]

I am posting for another parent

Hi,

My name is Jing, and I have a newly diagnosed 4 year old
son. I live in the West End, If there are any families near
by
that is running an Lovaas ABA program I would love to
hear from you. I am in the process of starting a program
for my son and would like to observe a session for a
younger child.

My Telephone number is 604-899-0896
and my email is
caojing@forneednet.com

Thanks a lot

Jing Cao

[David Chan]

I called cpac which is the cable station that's
broadcasts the supreme court proccedings.
check your local cable listings.

The name of the program is called
"JURISPRUDENCE" A GAVEL TO GAVEL
COVERAGE OF SUPREME COURT
PROCEEDINGS

The show runs for four hours so best set the
VCR, also airs really early morning. like
5:00am when I spoke to the woman at CPAC
she told me that it might be a few weeks
before the Auton proceedings will air, and
when I checked the web site, they showed that
the program might be pre-empted for election
coverage, so Stay tuned and I will try and keep
everyone posted

Dave

[David Chan]

Hi Everyone,

The Chan clan had an incredible communal
experience today. Mr. P. Played in an
exhibition basket ball game against another
school. It was a home game so it was in our
school gym.
Honestly, Mr. P is not much of a basketball
player. His foul shots are awesome, but when
it comes to the actual scrimmage, there is not
a whole lot to look at. He knows that he has to
stay with his check, and run up and down the
court with the person he is checking, and
that’s about it.
Not much to look at really! He played for two
five-minute shifts, no points scored, (not
surprising). Let face it folks Kobe Bryant he
ain’t —OK he looks more like Larry Bird.
My wife and I were just two more parents on
the stands cheering on their kid. How normal
was that! Yes I said NORMAL. I am allowed.
There is nothing more than that I wish for my
son and our family. Please someone explain
to me why when you use the “N” word folks
treat you like you’ve betrayed your special
needs child. We have moved heaven and
earth (mortgaged ourselves to said same
limits) so his life is more NORMAL, and same
goes for our family. Doing Lovaas therapy has
allowed us to do that.
The realization that my wife and I came to at
this particular juncture, is that even though the
Lovaas therapy is designed and implemented
for Mr. P. it’s really for all of us. We all benefit
from the therapy. He has learnt all kinds of
skills, yes, but more importantly he learned to
interact with and be with HIS friends (not as
slick as a typical 12 year old, there is ALWAYS
room for improvement), and become part of
his world.
In a world where our kids are always thought
of for the most part as a burden to a class,
and how we are constantly reminded of how
many special accommodations have to be
made for them, and how we should be
eternally grateful that our poor little imperfect
child is accommodated. What was the most
telling about Mr. P’s event today was what his
teammates did during the game.
“Pass the ball to P___, he’s open”, his
teammates shouted, and, no, they never did
pass him the ball a nor did he score a basket
(he did get a couple hoops in the warm up),
but having his teammates even contemplate
such a move speaks volumes about what
OUR SON has done for the other children on
the team. Please tell me what he has given to
his team and his friends and all the people in
the stands.
We keep on doing the Lovaas ABA thing, and
our family enjoys the little triumphs and slug
our way through the not so triumphant times,
(and they are many) and live our lives as
Sabrina told me yesterday, “one cow at a time”

Dave, Mr. P’s Mum and Dad

P.S. Our Team won the basketball game by
one point 30—29, but the BIG winner was all
of us.

[David Chan]

Hi All,

This topic has come up a number of times
regarding multiple languages while doing ABA
therapy. I had the oppoutunity to meet an ABA
service provider from Hong Kong. I asked
him regarding the language, and
implementation of programs in Hong Kong
and this was his answer:

"Most of our staff are bilingual and parents
choose the language to train in. Basically I
don’t see any difference in treatment you just
do it in a different language. The main
consideration is the choice of language. We
typically recommend that parents choose only
one language to train in as most of our kids
have a language delay. It is not useful to try
and conduct sessions in two languages as it
creates confusion. Thinking long term is
important as looking to where the child will be
living long term will usually define the
language. Also looking at available school
and therapy placements is another
consideration we take into account as there is
somewhat better facilities in hong kong in
english medium so families sometimes
choose english for that reason."

I thought I would share this bit of information
with everyone, it appears that using English is
not a bad idea even in China.

Something to consider

Mr. P's Dad

Dave

[David Chan]

Hurray,

For the those of us with the Chutzpah, to
come and say it, "The emprorer has no
clothes"

The MOST important thing for us to do is get
the message out there. Lets face it, the
people that are doing ABA-programs, already
know and understand the score.

"Balance" my aunt fanny, We just need to
have good science-based treatment for our
children.

Finally, Thank you, to all the people, who carry
on fighting the good fight for our kids,and all
the other kids. People on the this chat board
already know who I mean.

Keep living La vida Lovaas

Dave,
Mr.P's Dad

[Author]

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