[Dave Collyer]

Hi Dione,

Sorry. Email w PDF just sent. My correct address is:

drcollyer123 (at) mac (dot) com

I seem to have blended two addresses into one non address. Apologies.

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Dione,

If you email me I can send you a copy of the PDF.

drcollyer123 (AT) shaw (dot) ca

D.

[Dave Collyer]

Hello Michele,

With regard to SCD: I have been challenging MCFD funding levels and the various contracting agencies that administer SCD funds for a few years now. More needs to be done! Without knowing all of the particulars of your situation it sounds like your preschool is indicating that they are not receiving sufficient funds in order to ensure that your child is included in a meaningful and safe manner. One of the primary principles of inclusion ( see the matrix at http://www.specialinkcanada.org/home_en.html for one example ) is that all children have the right to access any given preschool (public school, private school, employment etc) for the same number of hours per day and days per week. Shortened days and shorter weeks are in violation of this foundational pillar of inclusion. In your situation I would consider…
1) Calling the SCD funding agency and request additional funds be put in place so that your child can be included in his preschool. I would argue that s/he has the same right to attend as any other child and also has the right to have his/her preschool educational needs met as his/her needs dictate. It is SCD's mandate to promote and ensure that inclusion occurs. They need to find the funds and delivery model to make this occur. In my opinion failure to provide equal access is a form of discrimination based on ability and crosses the line into the realm of a human rights violation. 2) If this fails I would request a meeting with the preschool admin AND the SCD coordinator(s). If you have a parent board at the preschool I would also bring this to their attention and request that a board member be present. As a team you might be able to find additional solutions.

I have a few other ideas… ///drcollyer123 at mac dot com///

Background: This site has a useful link to policy manual and contact info.: http://www.scdp.bc.ca/

And an overview of SCD (MCFD funds it). http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/scd.htm

D.

[Dave Collyer]

Hello all,

As many may already know today MCFD has made a rather significant and long anticipated announcement. I, for one, look forward to learning more of the details as this unfolds!

http://www.gov.bc.ca/mcf/

B.C. ANNOUNCES NATIONAL AUTISM RESEARCH CHAIR
VANCOUVER – A national Chair in Autism Intervention Research will be established at Simon Fraser University thanks to a $1-million provincial grant and a $1-million federal contribution, Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen announced today in honour of Autism Awareness Month.

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

For Peggy Boon,

I am not sure if any of these will be of help. Let me know as I have a pile more:

Spec Ed resource Guide: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/sid/

A list of strategies and examples: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/landbdif/toc.htm

Adaptations vs. Modifications: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/iep/defin.htm

ADHD Adaptations check list: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/adhd/app4.htm

SPec Ed Glossary for the general terms: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/ppandg/glossary.htm

Spec Ed "Teaching Students With Autism" resource (search the PDF using "adaptations" as a key word and in the case studies you might find some examples that are useful): http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/docs/autism.pdf

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

For Danielle Cross,

re IEPs:

A good place to start: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/iepssn/whatiep.htm

I am not a lawyer… it is my understanding that IEPs in British Columbia do not have the same legal ramifications that IEPs in certain US jurisdictions carry (google "Wrights Law" and IEPs). The IEP in BC is still a legal document in the sense that one must be created when modifications to curric. and outcomes (etc) are made. The various districts and private schools also need to generate IEPs in order to satisfy the Ministry requirements (file audits and funding…). But from this point on the legal requirements US Districts work under when an IEP is created do not seem to carry over to BC. This is not to say that an IEP could not be used in a legal argument if one were to engage in litigation.

I am confused by the reference to the Hewko case and the connection being made to having all of the "players" sign the IEP. The primary highlights of the Hewko trial seem to center on "consultation" (two way… and an obligation to incorporate input from parents and community partners) and "instructional control" (the ability to engage, gain and maintain a student’s focus and attention in order for them to learn… for many children ABA is the primary means of accomplishing this). In Hewko the "meat" of the Court ruling appears to be based on sections 4 and 7 of the School Act and the conclusion was that the District failed to meet it's statutory duty to consult. The Court also noted that “…[r]easonable accommodation is an integral part of the duty to consult." and that in this case the Court found that the District “…must include an accommodation of his home-based program – at least until instructional control is gained and maintained of him in the school setting.” Signing or not signing an IEP would seem to have little to do with this finding. The District would still be under obligation to CONSULT (parents and other partners), ACCOMMODATE (home based ABA programs) and DEMONSTRATE (instructional control).

At least this is how I see it.

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Hello all,

re. the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

Once again the Select Standing Committee is gathering public input with regard to the upcoming Budget for the next fiscal year. If you would like input into budget allocations go here:

http://www.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations/

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Hi Jemma,

I agree with your observations but find it an interesting bit of work in itself ( the paper is here if you want to join me in disection: http://www.autismcanada.org/pdfs/MacFabe06.pdf ) The process of direct injection raised a question mark for me to. I know little of propionic acid… can it arrive in the brain via ingestion or less direct injection (some substances cannot… dopamine for example… L-Dopa is given instead as it can pass the blood brain barrier as dopamine cannot do so easily). Rat models are limited and human trials are called for with random assignement to groups, blind assessors and consistent use of measures (pre and post) etc etc. It is my understanding that the research group at UWO has moved to begin such trials. Can you imagine trying to control for confounds over the long term (I bet almost every child is going to find a pc of bread to snack on at some point).

D.

[Dave Collyer]

Hi,

For JC Travers and Todd and Lisa Dea,

One of the ASD bloggers I read posted this today. I thought you might find it interesting.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/09/27/autism-study.html

Dave.

[Dave Collyer]

Hi all,

The Canadian Association for Community Living is circulating a survey with regard to "inclusive education". If you are interested in letting them know your perception of how our educators are doing (positive or negative or somewhere in between) with regard to inclusion and meeting the educational needs of your child please go here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=PBiTxo3P0ApmO3aHwpXaVA_3d_3d

It seems that the need is for at least 65 BC respondents by October 31st…

Dave.

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