[Deleted User]

In responce to A Concerned Parented…..
Speaking AS a therapist I will give you my opinion.

If your therapists call in sick, and you give them that sweet freedom, I think you should be granted the same freedoms. If anyone scoffs at your requested reviews, or any suggestion you have, then you might have somthing to be worried about, in my opinion of course :)You, as a parent, are in so many ways our " boss", or one of them depending on specific teams. This is your child and you have every right to demand such reviews. I am sorry you had problems with them. But like I said, if you grant your therapists days off (which im sure theyre greatful for ) you are giving them enough, no raise is neccesary.
I have talked to my boss recently about factors that might effect your power to hire and fire your therapists accordingly. I do agree with an agency that checks references ect ect. But when you were called " picky, organized and demanding", dont be shamed by that, be proad you have stood firm in your childs treatment!
As for wages, I think they should be raised according to their direct performance with your childs therapy. Try and keep an eye on data sheets and sit in on a session, and reward the therapist if deserved. Wages should go up with performance and creative input. Also your opinion on their personality at hiring is crucial, this is where your parental authority steps in.
Basically, Anyone can read the facts and studies on behavioural theories and ABA. Its actual direct experience with autism that counts when it comes to wages.
I hope I made a little sence here, I stayed away from certain issues that Im sure were meant for parents.
Please understand that I meant no harm. Only opinion.
Sincerely
Respondent Therapist
PS I think people are posting annonymously because its almost like allowing yourself to be attacked. These are very passionate issues and some people respond to posts in a very aggressive manor, that is why Im posting annonymously. I dont know WHO ill offend!!!

[Deleted User]

Hi Barb,
Thanks for sharing this with us. Excellent idea. How easy was it to get pool staff on board and what is the Autism Education Society? Also thinking this may be a good way for our local parent support group to raise awareness of autism and possibly do some fund raising as well.

Thanks,
Cheryl
Mom to Allie and Angel

[Deleted User]

I forgot to mention….please reply to this post and I will read them all.
Thanks again

[Deleted User]

Hello!!
I think this is my second post regarding my conerns, but oh well, here goes another!!
I would like to know when the next workshops concerning Therapists, Generalization, and Data Collection will be.
I am eagerly awaiting any news on said topics, as I would like to attend.
Thanks

[Deleted User]

WHAT IS ASBC ?

I was just recently introduced to FEAT and I have seen all these angry parents discussing it. I don't have time to read threw all these letters.

[Deleted User]

RE: THERAPIST WAGES/EMPLOYMENT

I would like to know what everyone is paying there ABA therapists so as to pay my therapists fairly.

Do the wages depend on the childs 'level' or behavior problems?

My child is school age and has been doing the ABA program for almost two years. Skills are high and verbal is fairly good too. But there are alot of behavior issues to deal with. My child hits, bites, spits, screams, kicks, etc. if presented with an unwanted demand. If my therapist is dealing with such extreme physical abuse is the wage expected to be higher?

As many other families, I have experienced alot of therapist who are just not responsible and don't seem to treat this as a job.(IE. not showing up for shifts, calling in sick at least once per month, changing their availablity at last minute, etc.)I'm begining to wonder if it's due to my wages being too low. Yet, I don't want to raise my wages only to find the same problems arrise.

I'm also wondering if other families do regular progress reviews with their therapists? I tried this once and was pretty much mocked by my therapists as being so extreme. I felt that it was a good time for us to both sit down and give some honest feed back on how we felt their relationship in our team was and how it was with our child. I put alot of work into the review sheets only to be mocked and felt like a fool. I no longer have the therapist who I reviewed working for me (fortunately) and I would like to do another with my current team but wanted to see if this is what other families are doing?

I read Michelle Karen's lengthy write up on how she deals with therapists/teams and found it very informative. Thank you Michelle for taking the time to write such a note.

I think there should be some sort of agency that we could go through to get these therapists. This way alot of this kind of work would be done for us. I find it very tiring, I have another child besides to care for, plus work outside the home. It's too much.

Until such an agency is formed I think it is important that we ALL give details of how they deal with employing therapists. So there is some consistancy.

On several occassions I have had therapists suggest that I was too picky, organized and demanding. TRUST ME I'M NOT !!! They then refer to there other family as not doing this, or that. I have put on a happy face and tried to be fair, but now I wonder how much of what they have said is true. I'm tempted to say, "Well, can I have your other families phone number. Maybe I can get some pointers." Just to see how much of it was true. ??????????????????????????

Anyway, I've babbled long enough. I just want some clarity on this. I want my therapists to be treated fairly and paid an equal wage. I don't want to feel like the bad guy, always questioning if this is what other families do.

Please reply accordingly.

Thanks for reading.
A Concerned Parented

[Deleted User]

Thestar.com > News > Canada
Sep. 24, 2002. 01:00 AM

Printer friendly version Mail this story to a friend

Ombudsman to probe wait for autism treatment
Hundreds of children not receiving help, NDP MPP says
By Theresa Boyle
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU

The province's ombudsman is launching an investigation into long waiting lists for children in need of autism treatment.

Clare Lewis sent a letter to NDP MPP Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt), agreeing to her request for a probe into the backlog of cases of autistic children waiting for Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI).

"I share your concern and intend to commence an investigation of this issue on my own motion," Lewis wrote in a letter dated Sept. 6, indicating that he, too, has received complaints about the issue and is taking up the probe on his own accord.

Some 900 children between the ages of 2 and 5 are on the waiting list for behavioural intervention. The Conservative government cuts off funding for the treatment once a child turns 6 years of age.

"Hundreds of children are turning 6 before ever receiving the treatment," Martel said.

The intensive approach involves trained therapists working one on one with children, reinforcing correct behaviour, language and academic skills.

Children typically require several years of treatment, but studies show the therapy can produce significant results — nearly half of autistic children can be taught to function normally.

Most of the other half of autistic children will show some improvement.

Parents argue that the treatment should be considered medically necessary and funded through the health ministry.

Instead, it's funded by the social services ministry, which applies more restrictions, such as the age limit, in covering the costs of care.

A separate complaint about age discrimination has been filed before the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

The B.C. Supreme Court recently ruled that IBI treatment is medically necessary. For the government to deny access to treatment is a breach of an autistic child's human rights, the court ruled.

Martel said she's encouraged by Lewis' investigation.

"When the ombudsman gets involved, that can add weight to our push for fairness and can force the government to right the wrong," she said.

"Autistic children need IBI treatment to have a chance of a near normal life. Now is the time to step up the pressure."

Because autism is recognized as a medical condition, it should be funded through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, she said.

Martel also called on the government to do more to help autistic children in the public school system. Special education services now provided in Ottawa are being threatened because of budget cuts, she said.

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[Deleted User]

This is not an issue with home schooling per say, because on paper it looks actually in many ways as a better option for parents of children with autism, for many of the reasons the other poster mentioned…
however-
there are always different ways to look at things

if we just keep pulling children because the system currently is failing them how can we ever make the system better. in no way am I suggesting children be sacrificed to build the dream, but what of the parent perhaps somewhat on the spectrum themselves, coping, but having issues of their own, or of the single parent, where staying home is not an option, what of the parent who does not have a high school diploma themselves or the where with all to deliver a quality home schooling to their children.

We can keep withdrawing children, making their dream come true ( education boards) yah! no more autistic children phew…or we can stand and say no more.

This means legal challenges, because with the union so absolutely confused that this actually has something to do with them, I am afraid that PAC committies will do little, well meaning but when it comes to the bottom line will not be able to do what they want.

I suggest strongly not sueing the Education Ministry but going after individual schools. If there is no pressure on the schools to make major reforms with re to appropriate education and proper medical supports for kids with A the Ministry of Ed will not be pushed hard by the boards to make change.
The Ministry has limitless resource, the boards do not. But if we pull all the kids with autism one by one out of school, aren't we right back to segregation?
just some thoughts….
for the record my child can not attend school right now because of denial of proper medical supports that is marked on his record as he is marked absent from school everyday.
I am taking legal action.

[Deleted User]

Homeschooling is more then just an option it is becoming a better way of education.

No more IEP'S
No more unqualified professionals telling you how to educate YOUR child
No more fears of how the child will behave today
No more worries if your child tantrums will he/she be thrown out of school
No more school related stress

Homeschooling you can educate your child, you can socialize your child, the child can have ABA therapy, and your child is happier. Most kids with autism can't take the group setting and it's not fair when these professionals try and send them to segerated classrooms.

Homeschooling is your LEGAL right. You don't owe a teacher, principal or anyone an explanation. It's none of their buisness.

Links are
http://www.bchomeschool.org/

http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/index.asp

You have three educational options they are
public, private and homeschooling. Some suggest you start in the beginning of the school year. You can start anytime you wish.

[Deleted User]

I was wondering if anyone has thought of starting a PAC team with parents of children that have autism. What I am suggesting is for all school issues, a group of parents form a committee to help all families with autism whose children are in school in this province (whether it be public or private). It would not be a government pay structure, just like a PAC trying to help and suggest more realistic and beneficial ideas.In regards to communication logs, Lovaas style ABA awareness, teacher and SEA roles, etc… Feat does an awesome job helping families like myself, but it would be nice some of the parents could educate the districts. All the districts current aid for autism is a joke and it doesn't assist our kids. It creates more behaviour. Homeschooling is starting to sound better and better.

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