[Deleted User]

Having just read a few of the comments on the petition, I am irritated and horrified at the stupidity that continues to exist. Quite clearly those comments on the petition (against ABA) are made by those who do not truly understand what ABA is.

I've worked with autistic children for 4.5 years, I have NEVER once used an aversive. In addition to working with children who are aggressive and who exhibit high rates of stereotypy, I have worked with children who self-injure at a life threatening rate, meaning that they cause tissue damage that could cause permanent damage and at times were so extreme that without constant supervision could have potentially ended their own life. NO aversives were used with either of these children in any of the time that I worked with them.

The focus was and is on proactive programming, meaning replacing problematic behavior with more appropriate ones such as communication systems as well as ways to seek the reinforcement they desired in more appropriate ways.

To the person or people who wrote those assanine comments (and yes you are entitled to your opinon, but it is only your opinion, it is not the view of the masses) you are clearly blessed with a level of functioning that gives you the luxury to sit at a computer and type your thoughts. You are able to string long sentences together, you are able to read research papers, you are able to comprehend written language…. you have a luxury that many of my clients, without ABA, would NEVER have.

For you, ABA may not seem necessary, but for the children that I work for, it is life altering, life saving and miraculous.

In my years of experience, I have NEVER tortured a child, never used electric shock, never hurt them in any way. The children I work with smile when they see me, hug me when they are happy, laugh at my silly play, ask me for more crazy, silly goofy play and sometimes they even tell me that they love me, that I am their best friend, that I am fun.

And I count those requests as miracles that I am blessed to be a part of.

Michelle Karren

[Deleted User]

Get Organized!

Great Tips & Tricks on Time Saving Systems and Techniques for Your Child s Lovaas-ABA Program. On Monday, October 25, 2004; 7:00 9:00 pm in the Peter J Peters Room at the West Van Memorial Library (1950 Marine Dr/22nd) Lovaas-ABA Seasoned Senior Therapist, Hockey-Lacrosse-Soccer-Basketball Coach and all round uber-dad Mike Leger will share his one page invention the DPL or Daily Program List that will let you compact even the most complex program book and take Lovaas-ABA on the road in your own back pocket.

Warning: This presentation is in workshop format and all participants are encouraged to bring their own sample to work on so that all leave with a working DPL that suits their own child s programming needs. Pencils, erasers and paper will also be required. Coffee and donuts to be provided.

We will help you slay your giant!

Tamara & Anissa

[Deleted User]

Get Organized!

Great Tips & Tricks on Time Saving Systems and Techniques for Your Child s Lovaas-ABA Program. On Monday, October 25, 2004; 7:00 9:00 pm in the Peter J Peters Room at the West Van Memorial Library (1950 Marine Dr/22nd) Lovaas-ABA Seasoned Senior Therapist, Hockey-Lacrosse-Soccer-Basketball Coach and all round uber-dad Mike Leger will share his one page invention the DPL or Daily Program List that will let you compact even the most complex program book and take Lovaas-ABA on the road in your own back pocket.

Warning: This presentation is in workshop format and all participants are encouraged to bring their own sample to work on so that all leave with a working DPL that suits their own child s programming needs. Pencils, erasers and paper will also be required. Coffee and donuts to be provided.

We will help you slay your giant!

Tamara & Anissa

[Deleted User]

FEAT of BC Intermediate workshop in Victoria almost full:

Please note that the intermediate workshop is filling quickly and there are only a few spots left. If full, there will be no registration at the door as class size limits are strictly followed to allow for personal instruction time.

Please note that attendence at a FEAT basic workshop (or attendence at a recognized consultant's basic workshop) is mandatory.

[Deleted User]

Registration is filling quickly for both the basic and intermediate workshops in Victoria. Please avoid disappointment by mailing your registration soon if you plan to attend.

The registration form for the basic therapist workshop can be found at:

http://www.featbc.org/downloads/abtw.pdf

Registration for the Intermediate workshop can be found at

http://www.featbc.org/downloads/ibtw.pdf

*********************************************
The basic workshop will take place on November 6 from 9:00 – 5:00. Through seminar instruction as well as hands on practice with peers, participants will learn about Discrete Trial Instruction ABA both in theory and in practice. This workshop is recommended for those who want to start or who have already begun working in this field as well as teachers and EA's who work with or want to work with children with Autism, as well as parents, SLP's, OT's. For those with experience, this workshop serves as an excellent refresher.

The intermediate workshop will take place the following day from 9-5. This workshop is restricted to those with experience in the field. Parents are of course welcomed as well. All attendees must have taken a basic training workshop through FEAT or through a qualified Behavioral Consultant. In order to register you must list your experience level as well as where you have taken your basic workshop.

Please note that the intermediate workshop fills quickly. Space is limited due to a high amount of hands on practice with individualized feedback from the workshop instructors.

[Deleted User]

Hi Janet,
when I click on the link, the registration form for November 13th came up.

There are numerous links on this page including workshops by other leaders so it is a bit confusing.

Look for the words
"FEAT BC Therapist workshop at Douglas College"
and click on
"download registration form here"

and the correct form will pop up.

[Deleted User]

For the workshops again, I see forms for Jan 2003, and 2 for Victoria workshops. Should we just use a form from the January one?

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the heads up Robin, you are right that is the Victoria form. I checked the board again and the proper link says "Download Registration form here"

1. go to http://www.featbc.org/downloads

2. click on "download registration form here"

Sorry for the confusion everyone!

[Deleted User]

Registration forms have now been posted for our upcoming workshops in Vancouver. Registration forms for the basic workshop can be found at

http://www.featbc.org/downloads/abtw.pdf

*********************************************
The basic workshop will take place on November 13 from 9:00 – 5:00. Through seminar instruction as well as hands on practice with peers, participants will learn about Discrete Trial Instruction ABA both in theory and in practice. This workshop is recommended for those who want to start or who have already begun working in this field as well as teachers and EA's who work with or want to work with children with Autism, as well as parents, SLP's, OT's.

[Deleted User]

An open letter to the Autism Society of Ontario Executive Director sent by
registered mail. Formatting has been lost in posting. Please note this
letter is written on my son's behalf and the concerns are my own and may or
may not be representive of other parents or members.

October 4, 2004

Margaret Spoelstra
Executive Director
Autism Society of Ontario
1179A King Street West, Suite 004
Toronto, ON
M6K 3C5

RE: ASO involvement in “working group” and position on “SUPPORT” program

Dear Ms. Spoelstra,

I write to you today with recent concern regarding a newspaper article that
ran in the London Free Press interviewing an ASO “advocate”, and subsequent
announcement of Monday October 4, 2004 from Andrew Weir, Ministry of Family
and Children Services, confirming a support and consultative model program
(rather than treatment) for children over six with Autism.

It is my understanding that on March 30, 2004 a document marked “not for
external distribution” that I obtained from a MFCS Ministry source, clearly
stated the forthcoming agenda to deny treatment beyond age six (please see
attached). It states:

· “2. Support school-aged children and youth with autism as they learn in
schools.
Support a smoother transition to school – Transition coordinators will
support children being discharged from the IEIP by working with families,
therapists, and educators to identify language, behavioural, social and
academic needs for successful transition to publicly funded schools.
The Ministry of Children & Youth Services and the Ministry of Education
Joint Working Group will specifically determine how ABA training will be
provided to teachers, education assistants and parents. Students will
receive help according to their individual needs. This is NOT IBI (20 – 40
hours/week program).”
· That May 2004, a “working group” was formed.
· You joined the “working group” and participated in a non-transparent
process of which the membership was not privy to nor in some cases aware of.

I have had opportunity to speak with many members of the Autism Society of
Ontario regarding this issue and many were surprised to even hear that the
ASO was part of this working group. It would appear the membership at large
was not abreast of the ASO representation at the table. Members have tried
to contact you regarding your position. Unfortunately there has been no
response forthcoming from you.

I am contacting you as a concerned parent of a child with Autism who has
been fighting for medically necessary autism treatment (IBI).

I understand that the Autism Society of Ontario:

· Directly supported the Autism Society of Canada’s intervener application
to the Supreme Court of Canada whose position is that IBI is medically
necessary.
· Stated in your March 4, 2004 budget submission to Mr. Greg Sorbara, “ASO
is calling on the Government to expand the intensive early intervention
program to provide evidence-based, effective treatment for all children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)…”

I would assume that you would be aware of the following:

· “Behaviour supports” and consultative models have been found to be
ineffective under exhaustive evidence by the courts. (five judges) Auton
· That it has been determined by the courts that “supports” do not allow
children to access education.
· These supports are un-ethical. Reason for Judgment Justice Allen Auton
para 67 “Providing a number of supportive services to a disorder that with
treatment we know that half could recover, is tantamount to withholding
treatment and continuing with support and respite services for AIDS patients
after a treatment that can cure half of them has been discovered.”
· This “support” program is not tantamount to IBI treatment.
· This “support” program still denies children with Autism the right to
treatment during school hours in order to access education.
· Endorsing a “support” and “consultation” model that has already been
discredited would be negligent.
· Endorsing a discredited “support” and “consultation” model would
shamefully contravene and misrepresent the ASO membership at large who have
and continue to mortgage homes, sell cars, fight in court for proven
effective science based ‘treatment’.
· Your support would violate the Human Rights Code, the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, The Convention on the Rights of the Child, The Ontarians with
Disabilities Act and specifically contravenes Policy and Guidelines on
Accommodation for people with disabilities 2002 H.R.C.

It is my position as an informed parent and treatment advocate that:

· Larger agenda intentioned to establish legitimacy and lend credibility to
patently ineffective support programs, should not to be sanctioned by any
party for convenience at the expense and rights of an individual and in
particular when it is a vulnerable disabled child.
· The evidence shows the agenda of the government with regards to these
support programs pre-exists the formation of this working group.
· The evidence suggests that only parties who would loan credibility without
question to the pre-existing government agenda were invited to participate
in the “working group”

As a concerned parent who has fought so hard for my child’s right to
treatment could you please let me know in writing the following:

1. Did you participate on behalf of your membership in bringing the
Government Agenda to deny treatment to children over six to fruition?
2. Do you as the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Ontario endorse
the recent announcement of the “support” program and consultation model?

Sincerely Yours,

Norrah Whitney
Parent
XXXXXXX
Etobicoke, Ontario
M8W 1H5

[Author]

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