[Dione Costanzo]

The second annual ABA Support Network Pub Night for an “AU-SOME” Cause is coming up on this Saturday March 1.

Buy and print your tickets on line now – http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pub-night-for-an-au-some-cause-tickets-10031784337

Last year’s event was a great time and some people walked away with incredible bargains from the silent auction, door prizes, games and raffles. This year there will be even more items to bid on including:

* Wine + Dine Board worth over $350
* Lots of beer packages, merchandise and a Beer Board (all good stuff)
* iPad mini
* Photography booth with the amazing talented Mr Chan
* Restaurant and casino gift certificates
* Olympic Hockey Jersey signed by Dan Hamhuis
* Canucks tickets
* Yoga gear
* Mary Kay makeup package
………………….and many more items

The same incredible band will be back for this year’s event.

If you want a fun evening and a chance to connect with some amazing people, this is an evening for you.

Cheers,
Dione

[Dione Costanzo]

The second annual ABA Support Network Pub Night for an “AU-SOME” Cause is coming up on this Saturday March 1.

Buy and print your tickets on line now – http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pub-night-for-an-au-some-cause-tickets-10031784337

Last year’s event was a great time and some people walked away with incredible bargains from the silent auction, door prizes, games and raffles. This year there will be even more items to bid on including:

* Wine + Dine Board worth over $350
* Lots of beer packages, merchandise and a Beer Board (all good stuff)
* iPad mini
* Photography booth with the amazing talented Mr Chan
* Restaurant and casino gift certificates
* Olympic Hockey Jersey signed by Dan Hamhuis
* Canucks tickets
* Yoga gear
* Mary Kay makeup package
………………….and many more items

The same incredible band will be back for this year’s event.

If you want a fun evening and a chance to connect with some amazing people, this is an evening for you.

Cheers,
Dione

[Dione Costanzo]

MEDIA RELEASE

ABA Support Network
Surrey, BC
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com
Jodie Wickens, Media Contact
Phone: 604-837-5634
Email: jbtwickens@gmail.com

There can be hope for children with autism in BC schools

Parents want evidence-based learning programs and supports established in all B.C. school districts.

February 17 2014, Surrey, BC: Recent news stories such as the Seclusion and Restraint report and most recently the story of Susan DeBeck, a Vancouver teacher who claims she was fired for standing up for her students with special needs, shows the education system is in a state of crisis when it comes to providing appropriate supports for students with special needs.

A local non-profit autism support group is reaching out to the Minister of Education and district administration across BC to educate them about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which is the scientifically supported gold standard in teaching and behaviour management.

ABA is a structured teaching method in which functional skills are broken down and taught one step at a time. That means that children with autism can learn and flourish in all areas including language and communication, play and leisure, self help, life skills and academics.

Families of children with autism often put ABA teams together to work with their children at home. Dione Costanzo, director of the ABA Support Network says that the results are worth the emotional and financial stress.

However, once a child with autism enters school in a district that does not have supports for ABA programs, the results achieved at home can be severely compromised, says Costanzo. “All the successes achieved can grind to a halt and often the child regresses.”

ABA is widely considered to be the most effective, evidence-based learning approach for children with autism yet Surrey is the only school district in B.C. that has an established system for hiring ABA-trained teaching aides.

Costanzo says that the ABA Support Network and parents are on a mission to change this.

“Children have a right to an education and ABA is the best method to achieve this for children with autism,” says Costanzo. “Implementing these programs, and training and hiring more ABA teaching assistants is the right thing to do, and it's the law.”

According to the landmark Supreme Court of BC ruling – Hewko v. B.C., 2006 BCSC 1638 – what is required for children with autism to access an education is adherence to their established ABA programs, and the availability of teaching aides that are trained to carry it out. In most B.C. school districts, ABA programs are not accommodated nor do teaching aides have the proper training to support these programs.

Costanzo says that implementing the ABA programs is a cost-neutral exercise, it just requires the political will.

“Getting an appropriate education system for children with autism in place with ABA-trained teaching aides requires political will and leadership,” she says. “It will not increase costs but it will be utilizing existing funds more effectively.”

The ABA Support Network is a parent-led, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve access to ABA support and services for individuals with autism.

For information about the ABA Support Network contact Dione Costanzo at dione@abasupportnetwork.com or 604-817-1526. Anyone interested in learning more about autism and ABA in Schools can visit the ABA Support Network website at http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

MEDIA RELEASE

ABA Support Network
Surrey, BC
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com
Jodie Wickens, Media Contact
Phone: 604-837-5634
Email: jbtwickens@gmail.com

There can be hope for children with autism in BC schools

Parents want evidence-based learning programs and supports established in all B.C. school districts.

February 17 2014, Surrey, BC: Recent news stories such as the Seclusion and Restraint report and most recently the story of Susan DeBeck, a Vancouver teacher who claims she was fired for standing up for her students with special needs, shows the education system is in a state of crisis when it comes to providing appropriate supports for students with special needs.

A local non-profit autism support group is reaching out to the Minister of Education and district administration across BC to educate them about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which is the scientifically supported gold standard in teaching and behaviour management.

ABA is a structured teaching method in which functional skills are broken down and taught one step at a time. That means that children with autism can learn and flourish in all areas including language and communication, play and leisure, self help, life skills and academics.

Families of children with autism often put ABA teams together to work with their children at home. Dione Costanzo, director of the ABA Support Network says that the results are worth the emotional and financial stress.

However, once a child with autism enters school in a district that does not have supports for ABA programs, the results achieved at home can be severely compromised, says Costanzo. “All the successes achieved can grind to a halt and often the child regresses.”

ABA is widely considered to be the most effective, evidence-based learning approach for children with autism yet Surrey is the only school district in B.C. that has an established system for hiring ABA-trained teaching aides.

Costanzo says that the ABA Support Network and parents are on a mission to change this.

“Children have a right to an education and ABA is the best method to achieve this for children with autism,” says Costanzo. “Implementing these programs, and training and hiring more ABA teaching assistants is the right thing to do, and it's the law.”

According to the landmark Supreme Court of BC ruling – Hewko v. B.C., 2006 BCSC 1638 – what is required for children with autism to access an education is adherence to their established ABA programs, and the availability of teaching aides that are trained to carry it out. In most B.C. school districts, ABA programs are not accommodated nor do teaching aides have the proper training to support these programs.

Costanzo says that implementing the ABA programs is a cost-neutral exercise, it just requires the political will.

“Getting an appropriate education system for children with autism in place with ABA-trained teaching aides requires political will and leadership,” she says. “It will not increase costs but it will be utilizing existing funds more effectively.”

The ABA Support Network is a parent-led, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve access to ABA support and services for individuals with autism.

For information about the ABA Support Network contact Dione Costanzo at dione@abasupportnetwork.com or 604-817-1526. Anyone interested in learning more about autism and ABA in Schools can visit the ABA Support Network website at http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

MEDIA RELEASE

ABA Support Network
Surrey, BC
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com
Jodie Wickens, Media Contact
Phone: 604-837-5634
Email: jbtwickens@gmail.com

There can be hope for children with autism in BC schools

Parents want evidence-based learning programs and supports established in all B.C. school districts.

February 17 2014, Surrey, BC: Recent news stories such as the Seclusion and Restraint report and most recently the story of Susan DeBeck, a Vancouver teacher who claims she was fired for standing up for her students with special needs, shows the education system is in a state of crisis when it comes to providing appropriate supports for students with special needs.

A local non-profit autism support group is reaching out to the Minister of Education and district administration across BC to educate them about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which is the scientifically supported gold standard in teaching and behaviour management.

ABA is a structured teaching method in which functional skills are broken down and taught one step at a time. That means that children with autism can learn and flourish in all areas including language and communication, play and leisure, self help, life skills and academics.

Families of children with autism often put ABA teams together to work with their children at home. Dione Costanzo, director of the ABA Support Network says that the results are worth the emotional and financial stress.

However, once a child with autism enters school in a district that does not have supports for ABA programs, the results achieved at home can be severely compromised, says Costanzo. “All the successes achieved can grind to a halt and often the child regresses.”

ABA is widely considered to be the most effective, evidence-based learning approach for children with autism yet Surrey is the only school district in B.C. that has an established system for hiring ABA-trained teaching aides.

Costanzo says that the ABA Support Network and parents are on a mission to change this.

“Children have a right to an education and ABA is the best method to achieve this for children with autism,” says Costanzo. “Implementing these programs, and training and hiring more ABA teaching assistants is the right thing to do, and it's the law.”

According to the landmark Supreme Court of BC ruling – Hewko v. B.C., 2006 BCSC 1638 – what is required for children with autism to access an education is adherence to their established ABA programs, and the availability of teaching aides that are trained to carry it out. In most B.C. school districts, ABA programs are not accommodated nor do teaching aides have the proper training to support these programs.

Costanzo says that implementing the ABA programs is a cost-neutral exercise, it just requires the political will.

“Getting an appropriate education system for children with autism in place with ABA-trained teaching aides requires political will and leadership,” she says. “It will not increase costs but it will be utilizing existing funds more effectively.”

The ABA Support Network is a parent-led, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve access to ABA support and services for individuals with autism.

For information about the ABA Support Network contact Dione Costanzo at dione@abasupportnetwork.com or 604-817-1526. Anyone interested in learning more about autism and ABA in Schools can visit the ABA Support Network website at http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

MEDIA RELEASE

ABA Support Network
Surrey, BC
http://www.abasupportnetwork.com
Jodie Wickens, Media Contact
Phone: 604-837-5634
Email: jbtwickens@gmail.com

There can be hope for children with autism in BC schools

Parents want evidence-based learning programs and supports established in all B.C. school districts.

February 17 2014, Surrey, BC: Recent news stories such as the Seclusion and Restraint report and most recently the story of Susan DeBeck, a Vancouver teacher who claims she was fired for standing up for her students with special needs, shows the education system is in a state of crisis when it comes to providing appropriate supports for students with special needs.

A local non-profit autism support group is reaching out to the Minister of Education and district administration across BC to educate them about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), which is the scientifically supported gold standard in teaching and behaviour management.

ABA is a structured teaching method in which functional skills are broken down and taught one step at a time. That means that children with autism can learn and flourish in all areas including language and communication, play and leisure, self help, life skills and academics.

Families of children with autism often put ABA teams together to work with their children at home. Dione Costanzo, director of the ABA Support Network says that the results are worth the emotional and financial stress.

However, once a child with autism enters school in a district that does not have supports for ABA programs, the results achieved at home can be severely compromised, says Costanzo. “All the successes achieved can grind to a halt and often the child regresses.”

ABA is widely considered to be the most effective, evidence-based learning approach for children with autism yet Surrey is the only school district in B.C. that has an established system for hiring ABA-trained teaching aides.

Costanzo says that the ABA Support Network and parents are on a mission to change this.

“Children have a right to an education and ABA is the best method to achieve this for children with autism,” says Costanzo. “Implementing these programs, and training and hiring more ABA teaching assistants is the right thing to do, and it's the law.”

According to the landmark Supreme Court of BC ruling – Hewko v. B.C., 2006 BCSC 1638 – what is required for children with autism to access an education is adherence to their established ABA programs, and the availability of teaching aides that are trained to carry it out. In most B.C. school districts, ABA programs are not accommodated nor do teaching aides have the proper training to support these programs.

Costanzo says that implementing the ABA programs is a cost-neutral exercise, it just requires the political will.

“Getting an appropriate education system for children with autism in place with ABA-trained teaching aides requires political will and leadership,” she says. “It will not increase costs but it will be utilizing existing funds more effectively.”

The ABA Support Network is a parent-led, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve access to ABA support and services for individuals with autism.

For information about the ABA Support Network contact Dione Costanzo at dione@abasupportnetwork.com or 604-817-1526. Anyone interested in learning more about autism and ABA in Schools can visit the ABA Support Network website at http://www.abasupportnetwork.com

[Dione Costanzo]

Susan DeBeck is a Vancouver teacher who claims she was fired for protecting a child with autism.

Here is the CTV news story from last night – http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1687775

This is an opportunity for the ABA community to comment and educate those involved about ABA. You can post a comment here:
http://bc.ctvnews.ca/teacher-claims-she-was-fired-for-standing-up-for-student-with-special-needs-1.1687840#commentsForm-485595

My comment:
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a structured teaching method in which functional skills are broken down and taught one step at a time.

That means that children with autism can learn and flourish in all areas including language and communication, play and leisure, self help, life skills and academics.

Families of children with autism often put ABA teams together to work with their children at home. And the results are worth the emotional and financial stress.

However, once a child with autism enters school in a district that does not have supports for ABA programs, the results achieved at home can be severely compromised. All the successes achieved can grind to a halt and often the child regresses.

ABA is widely considered to be the most effective, evidence-based learning approach for children with autism yet Surrey is the only school district in B.C. that has an established system for hiring ABA-trained teaching aides.

Children have a right to an education and ABA is the best method to achieve this for children with autism. Implementing these programs, and training and hiring more ABA teaching assistants is the right thing to do, and it's the law.

According to the landmark Supreme Court of BC ruling – Hewko v. B.C., 2006 BCSC 1638 – what is required for children with autism to access an education is adherence to their established ABA programs, and the availability of teaching aides that are trained to carry it out.

In most B.C. school districts, ABA programs are not accommodated nor do teaching aides have the proper training to support these programs. Getting an appropriate education system for children with autism in place with ABA-trained teaching aides requires political will and leadership. It will not increase costs but it will be utilizing existing funds more effectively.

[Dione Costanzo]

Susan DeBeck is a Vancouver teacher who claims she was fired for protecting a child with autism.

Here is the CTV news story from last night – http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1687775

This is an opportunity for the ABA community to comment and educate those involved about ABA. You can post a comment here:
http://bc.ctvnews.ca/teacher-claims-she-was-fired-for-standing-up-for-student-with-special-needs-1.1687840#commentsForm-485595

My comment:
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a structured teaching method in which functional skills are broken down and taught one step at a time.

That means that children with autism can learn and flourish in all areas including language and communication, play and leisure, self help, life skills and academics.

Families of children with autism often put ABA teams together to work with their children at home. And the results are worth the emotional and financial stress.

However, once a child with autism enters school in a district that does not have supports for ABA programs, the results achieved at home can be severely compromised. All the successes achieved can grind to a halt and often the child regresses.

ABA is widely considered to be the most effective, evidence-based learning approach for children with autism yet Surrey is the only school district in B.C. that has an established system for hiring ABA-trained teaching aides.

Children have a right to an education and ABA is the best method to achieve this for children with autism. Implementing these programs, and training and hiring more ABA teaching assistants is the right thing to do, and it's the law.

According to the landmark Supreme Court of BC ruling – Hewko v. B.C., 2006 BCSC 1638 – what is required for children with autism to access an education is adherence to their established ABA programs, and the availability of teaching aides that are trained to carry it out.

In most B.C. school districts, ABA programs are not accommodated nor do teaching aides have the proper training to support these programs. Getting an appropriate education system for children with autism in place with ABA-trained teaching aides requires political will and leadership. It will not increase costs but it will be utilizing existing funds more effectively.

[Dione Costanzo]

February ABA Support Network (and other) Meetings and Events:

We do want all parents to know that if they need to reach out for support or information please do not hesitate to contact one of our network facilitators below who can connect you with other parents.

South Surrey/White Rock – abarocks@gmail.com
Coquitlam/Tri-Cities – jbtwickens@gmail.com
Surrey/Cloverdale/Langley – tamara_desilva@hotmail.com
All other locations – dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Please stay updated by following us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/abasupportnetwork and Twitter @aba_sn
and on our online calendar on our website – http://abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php

Autism Diagnosis? Parents Helping Parents Information Series
This is a monthly event for new parents – please help us spread the word by printing the flyer from our website and posting at your local dr office, pediatrician, clinic, library, rec center, etc… http://abasupportnetwork.com/docs/Parent%20Info%20Series%20Flyer.pdf
Date: Tuesday, February 11
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex (Arena side, upstairs)
Topic: Special Presentation – based on feedback from many parents, we are going to talk about the challenges of running quality treatment programs with limited funding from the government. What do families do that don't have money over and above the $22,000 or $6,000 per year?

What Can My AFU Funds Do?

At this presentation, you will hear from a panel of BCBAs, and their experience with what you can expect from both over-6 and under-6 funding from the Ministry. Topics to be discussed include:
1. Quality vs. Quantity — sample ABA programs of different funding models.
2. Home vs. school — how to ensure that your child is receiving the best support and supervision with the funds you have available to you.
3. Collaboration — other resources which can be used to help pay for collaboration with other professionals, such as SLP and OT.
4. Goal setting — what to consider when setting goals with your consultant.
5. The ethical perspective of your BCBA — ethical considerations for your BCBA providing consultation on a limited budget.
6. Tips and troubleshooting — ideas to help use the funding creatively and maintaining a great team.
We will also end with a Q & A, and invite parents to share their feedback.

please rsvp to tamara_desilva@Hotmail.com
There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion, questions and networking with other parents.

Neighborhood Network Meeting – South Surrey/White Rock
Date: Thursday, February 27
Time: 7:45-9:45pm
Location: RSVP to juliane_khadra@yahoo.com for address
Topic: Parents from South Surrey/White Rock meet to discuss issues about school as well as issues around setting up and maintaining a home based intervention program. ALL parents from all areas are welcome at this meeting.
RSVP to juliane_khadra@yahoo.com

Neighborhood Network Meeting – Tri-Cities
Date and Location: TBA please contact Jodie if you are interested in attending

Topic: Parents from the Ti-Cities meet to discuss issues about school as well as issues around setting up and maintaining a home based intervention program. ALL parents from all areas are welcome at this meeting.
RSVP to jbtwickens@gmail.com

Trinity Western University Career Fair
Date: Thursday, February 13
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: 7600 Glover Rd, Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1
David E. Enarson Gymnasium, TWU Campus
Description – An opportunity for employers to connect directly with Trinity Western students and alumni who are seeking on-going employment whether full-time or part-time as well as for those seeking summer employment.

The ABA Support Network will be exhibiting at this fair. We will be talking to students about careers in ABA and letting potential therapists know how to connect with families and join quality home based ABA programs.

ABA Support Network Pub Night Fundraiser
Date: March 1, 2014 Buy your tickets now!
http://www.march1pubnight.eventbrite.ca

[Dione Costanzo]

February ABA Support Network (and other) Meetings and Events:

We do want all parents to know that if they need to reach out for support or information please do not hesitate to contact one of our network facilitators below who can connect you with other parents.

South Surrey/White Rock – abarocks@gmail.com
Coquitlam/Tri-Cities – jbtwickens@gmail.com
Surrey/Cloverdale/Langley – tamara_desilva@hotmail.com
All other locations – dione@abasupportnetwork.com

Please stay updated by following us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/abasupportnetwork and Twitter @aba_sn
and on our online calendar on our website – http://abasupportnetwork.com/calendar.php

Autism Diagnosis? Parents Helping Parents Information Series
This is a monthly event for new parents – please help us spread the word by printing the flyer from our website and posting at your local dr office, pediatrician, clinic, library, rec center, etc… http://abasupportnetwork.com/docs/Parent%20Info%20Series%20Flyer.pdf
Date: Tuesday, February 11
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex (Arena side, upstairs)
Topic: Special Presentation – based on feedback from many parents, we are going to talk about the challenges of running quality treatment programs with limited funding from the government. What do families do that don't have money over and above the $22,000 or $6,000 per year?

What Can My AFU Funds Do?

At this presentation, you will hear from a panel of BCBAs, and their experience with what you can expect from both over-6 and under-6 funding from the Ministry. Topics to be discussed include:
1. Quality vs. Quantity — sample ABA programs of different funding models.
2. Home vs. school — how to ensure that your child is receiving the best support and supervision with the funds you have available to you.
3. Collaboration — other resources which can be used to help pay for collaboration with other professionals, such as SLP and OT.
4. Goal setting — what to consider when setting goals with your consultant.
5. The ethical perspective of your BCBA — ethical considerations for your BCBA providing consultation on a limited budget.
6. Tips and troubleshooting — ideas to help use the funding creatively and maintaining a great team.
We will also end with a Q & A, and invite parents to share their feedback.

please rsvp to tamara_desilva@Hotmail.com
There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion, questions and networking with other parents.

Neighborhood Network Meeting – South Surrey/White Rock
Date: Thursday, February 27
Time: 7:45-9:45pm
Location: RSVP to juliane_khadra@yahoo.com for address
Topic: Parents from South Surrey/White Rock meet to discuss issues about school as well as issues around setting up and maintaining a home based intervention program. ALL parents from all areas are welcome at this meeting.
RSVP to juliane_khadra@yahoo.com

Neighborhood Network Meeting – Tri-Cities
Date and Location: TBA please contact Jodie if you are interested in attending

Topic: Parents from the Ti-Cities meet to discuss issues about school as well as issues around setting up and maintaining a home based intervention program. ALL parents from all areas are welcome at this meeting.
RSVP to jbtwickens@gmail.com

Trinity Western University Career Fair
Date: Thursday, February 13
Time: 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: 7600 Glover Rd, Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1
David E. Enarson Gymnasium, TWU Campus
Description – An opportunity for employers to connect directly with Trinity Western students and alumni who are seeking on-going employment whether full-time or part-time as well as for those seeking summer employment.

The ABA Support Network will be exhibiting at this fair. We will be talking to students about careers in ABA and letting potential therapists know how to connect with families and join quality home based ABA programs.

ABA Support Network Pub Night Fundraiser
Date: March 1, 2014 Buy your tickets now!
http://www.march1pubnight.eventbrite.ca

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