[Deleted User]

Congratulations!

Wow, I'm still in shock. I read my email yesterday and watched the evening news in disbelief. Its actually happened, the children and parents have won. And my thoughts turned to those of you who fought this battle. I can only imagine that it must have been a very difficult road, trying to maintain therapy schedules, family life and take your battle to court. I thought of all of you and wanted to say "thank you". Thank you for your strength and determination. Thank you for fighting for the children who can not fight for themselves. You have and will make a huge difference in the lives of our children.

So I turn my thoughts now to what will happen next and anxiously await more news.

I'm off to give my daughter a big hug and to share my joy with her.
Michelle Karren

[Deleted User]

Dave,
That's a great idea. This way I remember and re-enforce those wonderful positive moments that are so easy to forget in the midst of problems and challenges.

Good for thinking this, Dave.

Franca

[Deleted User]

Here is a link to a page where my sons story is at
as follows:

My son James is on Christy Clarks webpage she is the MLA for our area – James story is the top story in our area right now.

Here is the link to Christy Clarks webpage:

I have placed the article of your story on Christy's website. Tony Assistant to Christy Clark
You can view it in the Clippings section at http://www.christyclark.com

Bye for now,

Linda Cucek

[Deleted User]

I am just starting an ABA program and had heard that some families have gotten some money from the"Special Needs Daycare program" to help with the cost of the therapy. When I called to ask to have the forms mailed to me to apply for this program, I was told that only a subsidy of $107 was available,and that they didn't know what I meant by "special needs daycare". I was wondering if this is in fact correct, or is the social worker just playing games? Has anyone filled out forms for this program and been accepted in the past 4 months? Please respond if so, as we don't want to give up if this program still exists. Please feel free to post under anonymous. Thanks a lot

[Deleted User]

Hi there, my name is Aireen. I am responding to the anonymous individual looking for someone to aid the five year-old. I have been doing ABA-Lovaas method for about two years, and is currently working with two families. I use sign language on a regular basis (I have a brother who is hearing impaired). This is just some basic information about myself. I am still schooling however and bus around. If this is what you're looking for please email me at ayeo@sfu.ca or call me at 977-6838. Thanx.

[Deleted User]

Dear Anonymous,

Regarding the family with the hearing impaired child with Autism. I've recently taken some graduate Special Education courses on Autism that dealt with this issue. Every child is an individual, but to relate this issue to another…A family of a deaf Autistic child went through years of struggling to teach their child to communicate through sign only to realize the extreme transcience of sign language. Also, they were frustrated to find out the few words learned by their child could only be understood by them. They decided to try PECS (picture exchange communication). This may not be the option for this child, but it is worth investigating. Pictures given or pointed to to express wants/ needs that are universally understood. Once this is mastered a vocalization can be paired with the picture (if possible) and for some children this can lead to completely oral communication. PECS could also solve the lack of sign trained therapists problem. There was a dramatic change with this child, they used CBI consulting in Vancouver. I highly reccommend them.
I hope this helps a bit

[Deleted User]

I am seeking information for a Coquitlam family who have a 5 year old boy who has autism as a main presenting feature, but is also hearing impaired. Any attempts at communication are done by sign. I am trying to gather some information for them re. What consultants can put together an A.B.A. program using sign language, AND, JUST AS IMPORTANTLY,does anyone know of any Therapists who can deliver the program in sign to the child?Without these two things occuring,it would be very difficult to set up an A.B.A. program. Please give it some thought and email post any and all suggestions/information you have as soon as you can. Thanks!

[Deleted User]

The court case between local parents and the Governemnt of British columbia will continue next week. It will be held at the Supreme court section of the Law courts on Smithe street, in Vancouver. The hearings dates are as follows

Monday, April 17th,2000
from 10am to 4pm

Tuesday, April 18th,2000
from 10am to 4pm

Thursday, April 20th,2000
from 10am to 4pm

The court only sits for 2 hour sessions. There is a break at 12:00 for lunch.

The session resumes usually at 2:00 pm, and will continue till 4:00pm

If anyone is interested in Autism treatment in British Columbia, Please try and attend part or all of the sessions this comming week.

[Deleted User]

Shannon Rodrigue, An Autism Consultant From the
Centre for Early Eduacation will be interviewed on
The Early Edition on CBC Radio, At 7:00am
April 14th,2000. Please try and tune in for more information on Effective Autism treatment.

[Deleted User]

I can contribute somewhat to Peggy's request. We have an "At Cost"
insurance program to help with the cost of our sons' programs. Please
note I am not a tax expert, just a Dad.

All money 'deposited' with the insurance company is taken off your gross
income reported on your T4. (As if you did not earn it). What you get in
return from the insurance company (supported by claims with receipts
etc.) is your money back less a 10% fee. That is why its called an 'at
cost' insurance program.

The net effect is that you can spend your pre-tax dollars on your home
program (less a 10% fee), instead of after-tax dollars. Clearly this
works better for you if you are in a higher tax bracket. So instead of
30%-50% income tax, you are paying a 10% fee. This is a tax break of
20%-40%, depending on your tax bracket.

The information provided by Isaac seemed to indicate a 25% break on tax,
so it sounds like you need to be in a 35% or higher tax bracket to
continue to make an 'at cost' plan work financially.

Other positive aspects of an 'at cost' insurance program include:
– no fights with Revenue Canada, since the cost of the monthly deposits
is not reported as income at all. No form T2201 etc.
– monthly claims, so you don't wait till the end of the tax year to
organize your receipts…
– can claim diapers, all therapy, team meetings, workshops, travel, per
diem, car rental, hotel costs etc.

Negative aspects (need to be mentioned too!)
– need an employer willing to make at source pay deductions (its
perfectly legal as far as I could tell)
– have to fill out monthly detailed claims (but I guess you would have
to do this for Rev. Canada as well)
– pay 10% fee for each claim

I can point you in the right direction to get this set up if anybody is
interested.

Hope this helps!
Rob
—
Rob and Sherry vanSpronssen mailto:gumnut@istar.ca
http://home.istar.ca/~gumnut

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