[Deleted User]

I would like some help in starting a support group in Nanaimo for Asperger's. My son is 19 and diagnosed last year with Asperger's. He would desperately like to meet others with Asperger's. There are not many services in the Nanaimo area for someone like himself. Any help or anyone in the Nanaimo area who could help would be appreciated. Also anyone in the Nanaimo area with Asperger's or a parent of one please email me. Thanks.
Terry Tolmie

[Deleted User]

Hello All,

I've come across a resource that could be of great use for new and experienced ABA families. Its a training system called "help us learn". Keeping in mind that each consultant has their own way of doing things, this program has two manuals. THe first is a training manual for people who work with an autistic child using the ABA method or for grandparents, relatives etc so that they understand the importance of working with program goals. Its quite thorough and has homework and an final quiz.

The second manual is a program manager guide. IT covers everything from getting started, getting curriculum from your consultant, setting up your binder in an organized fashion, some ideas on data collection (of course this is very individualized to your consultant) includes ways of finding people, applicant questionnaires, interviewing questions, a contract for hiring, forms for reviewing staff after training, and periodic reviews, a training system that organizes how to train someone starting with observations, completing the 1st manual and then getting them started in the sessions. I really liked the training schedule that takes place over 14 full days or could be broken up into smaller segments over more time.

In reading over the binder, I couldn't help but think that had I used this resource a year ago, I would have saved myself a lot of grief.

I would also like to mention that I have no connection and do not benefit from my recommending this :-) I just like it and thought other parents might be interested in checking it out. THe price is $99 for parents. They have a website at http://www.helpuslearn.com

tHe woman who designed it is a parent of an autistic child who has been in a program for 3 or 4 years. It does not appear to be based on pseudo ABA such as numerous gov't supported programs found locally.

In the past I had purchased the Autism academy cd rom and I think this system is more efficient and comprehensive, although I have been pleased with the Autism Academy as well and have used it on several new recruits who completed it and then attended courses by Claire and Sharon and said the cd rom really helped to prepare themm for the actual work.

If anyone has questions, you can email me at Mkarren1@aol.com

[Deleted User]

Excellent letter by Lisa Graham.

I'd like to add that while the NDP is claiming to be providing for the children under the age of 6, they are in fact, continuing to ignore them as well.

My son was recently diagnosed at Sunny hill and I asked about the PCARD program. I wanted detailed information on how one goes about signing up their child. They informed me that the only "centre" in the Lower Mainland was through the LEAP preschool which I believe is in Delta. And I have been told by a friend who had looked into that school, that your child is only able to attend that school if you live in the area. Therefore neither of my autistic children, who are both under the age of 6 are eligible.

(This is to say NOTHING of my concerns of the quality of these providers. Will they meet up to the standards the law suit fought for?)

I pointed this out to the Sunnyhill team. And summed it up with "So the NDP government is continuing to disregard the needs of Autistic children, unless they live in the Delta area, are under the age of 6 and able to get their names on to the top of list?"

The NDP government continues to ignore its legislative mandate to provide medical services. And we as parents continue to suffer financially and emotionally in our struggle to make up for their ignorance and discrimination. As if life with autism was not hard enough…

Michelle Karren

[Deleted User]

Hello everyone!

I was wondering what the rate of pay is for a lead
therapist. I would appreciate any information on
this from therapists, parents, or anyone else
familiar with this kind of issue…
Thanks for your time!

[Deleted User]

Hi Everyone,
This is Franca from Victoria.
I also attended the Video-Conference last week and was glad to hear your input, Barbara. I was lined up to ask a question on specific qualifications needed for staff setting up and maintaining an autism treatment center (one of the pilot programs is right here at Queen Alexandra Hospital.) However, the so called forum conference ended up being more of a lecture with very little time for discussion. So the facilitator promised to forward my question to Dr. Guralnick; however, I haven't received an answer yet.

Also last week I attended a meeting re: Child Services Equality Act. All MLAs froom the island were invited, but only one MLA (Liberal) showed up. As usual I found myself feeling very frustrated by the overwhelming power of burocracy. Representatives from Queen Alexandra Hospital, CRD, Victoria Association for Community Living were there talking about their recently implemented community research commitees. What else is new! I let the group know how I felt about more research committees and the other parents cheered me on.

Thanks for the good work everyone!

Franca

[Deleted User]

I too have one to add about the government's answer to ABA. A worker from the Infant and Child Development office contacted me about 10 days ago to inform me that the government now had this "program that offered intensive treatment". She said that our child "might" qualify for it, but the "ICD office didn't have all the information". I asked her exactly what it was called and what information they did have – I also asked her in the same sentence if the common name was PCARD. She admitted that she didn't know the name of the program, all they gave her was a pamphlet with a very vague description – infact as she was reading the name of the program to me – I pointed out to her that the initials equaled P C A R D! I then informed her what was happening, what the government was trying to pass off as their answer to intensive behavioural intervention! I encouraged her to contact FEAT for more details and to further educate herself, as she said that she had an obligation to present this to other families. I said that it would be in her best interest to get the facts, so that she could at least answer some of the questions that she would encounter. It is sad that this young person was only trying to do her job, and the government that she works for is keeping her in the dark feeding information on a "need to know" basis (barely) and gettiing her to do their snow job! Your right!!! it does sound like a good story for invesigative reporting.

[Deleted User]

Just a little update on the PCARD thing:

After reading the message Julie forwarded to us about the PCARD system I thought I'd make a few calls and see if I could speak to someone about this program that SUPPOSEDLY exists. I called enquiry BC… they had no idea what I was talking about. suprise surprise.

I was then forwarded to mcf, put on hold and then transferred to a voice mail box.

Before trying this route, I tried my social worker, thinking that she would at least know how one signs up for the program.

When I asked about the PCARD program she at first had no idea as to what I was referring to. I then explained the initiative, she then informed me that the gov't had not given them any information on it. She promised to ask around for me and did promptly get back to me. apparently nobody seems to know much of what it is or how it works. THe government has told them (her office at least) very little. She did hear that it hadn't passed cabinet yet and that it was a joint venture with Ministry of health and that was it. She also thought you were supposed to go through sunny hill to get in.

Ahhh, another hoop.

To be honest, I know the PCARD program is not true ABA and I don't intend to sign up for it, HOWEVER, my point is

HOW CAN YOU TELL THE PUBLIC THAT A NEW PROGRAM EXISTS WHEN CLEARLY IT DOES NOT?!

was this not the same program they so proudly claimed was in existence last year during the court case? why is is still not up and running? why does nobody know anything about it? how does one get their child into the program?

It seems to me that the answer is simple. PCARD doesn't actually exist. It is truly a farce. a trick of smoke and mirrors. Sounds like a good television expose to me… perhaps an election bombshell

[Deleted User]

RE: School Credits for Volunteers

The following article appeared in a regional newspaper, and it occurred to me that this might be a wonderful opportunity for people running A.B.A. programs to get some therapists at no cost, while the therapists are earning post-secondary tuition credits. Here is the article:

"Young people can earn post-secondary tuition credits while volunteering with non-profit groups, the provincial government announced this week.

An $850,000 funding boost for government's Youth Community Action program means about 500 more young people will be able to participate in the program this year. Total funding of $4.3 million for Youth Community Action will increase the number of volunteer hours from about 300,000 a year to more than 396,000.

About 5,000 young people have participated in the program, which emphasizes projects promoting heritage, culture, community development, safety,recreation and literacy.

To be eligible for the program, people must be BC residents between 15 and 24 years old and plan to attend a post-secondary institution within five years. Approved work experience opportunities range from a minimum of 100 hours to a maximum of 300 hours or $2400- more that a full years university tuition.

For more information about the Youth Community Action program, visit the Youth Options BC we site at http://www.youth.bc.ca or call 1-877-BCYOUTH.

Sounds like something worth exploring for our families.

[Deleted User]

Hi! I have had a little experience with the ABA Lovaas method therapy and would like to learn more. I love kids and I volunteer at a therapeutic riding stable for kids with special needs. I have my own vehicle and am available 4 days a week except weekends. I would love to join a team and family of a child in the Surrey, White Rock, Or Langley area.

Please call me at (604)-589-4654.

Syndi Nicholson

[Deleted User]

Hi! I have had a little experience with the ABA Lovaas method therapy and would like to learn more. I love kids and I volunteer at a therapeutic riding stable for kids with special needs. I have my own vehicle and am available 4 days a week except weekends. I would love to join a team and family of a child.

Please call me at 589-4654.

Syndi Nicholson

[Author]

Posts