[Deleted User]

Can anyone tell me how many years the government should fund my son's ABA program? Until he is "recovered"? Lovaas's study showed 47% of young children receiving ABA treatment recovered. Should the other 53% get 40 hours of one-on-one treatment for life????

Are the ABA methods used the same at age 3, at age 13, and at age 33? Are there comparative studies to back up the effectiveness of ABA when applied to older children and adults?

How will the recent changes to the ASBC board benefit or hurt individuals with autism?

Can anyone tell me if the new ASBC directors are going to represent the interests of adults with autism? Or the interests of families who earnestly tried ABA for several years, but found their child was in the 52% who don't recover? Will they represent the interests of the 80% of individuals with autism who have no connection to FEAT of BC?

Can anyone tell me if the new ASBC directors are going to focus on an exclusively ABA agenda? Will the ASBC newsletter only include FEATofBC approved content? Will there be a book burning in the ASBC parking lot of all non-ABA titles in the ASBC library?

Will ASBC money be used to pay for past lawsuits by FEATofBC members? Will ASBC money and resources be made available to FEAT of BC? Do the new ASBC directors plan to merge ASBC with FEATofBC? Will the new ASBC directors refuse further funding for ASBC from government? Is the plan to gut ASBC, then leave it to die in retaliation for opposing ABA treatment and for being useless? Are ASC and other provincial Autism Societies next?

These questions are out there. A lot of people including myself want to know what happens next?

[Deleted User]

To the person who wishes to post anonymously

lets review factualy

1. your right the FEAT board does have that option of protection.

2. you called me rude

3. Barbara is a mother whose child has been severely harmed by the government of British Columbia's neglect.

4. Barbara's son has not been helped in anyway by the ASBC which I understand claims they represent all children with ASD.

5. my analogies seem to bother you and you have interpreted fact as hostile action

6. Autism Societies although perhaps well meaning do not advocate for effective proven science based autism treatment in BC and Ontario, which would seem to violate some of their own mandate.

7. at a recent Federal meeting a member of the ASC actually suggested to the federal Health Minister that they should read the CCHOTA report regarding ABA, until thank goodness a professor in Health Sciences and Epidemiolgist for HC clearly objected and pointed out to the Federal Health Minister that the CCHOTA is flawed, inaccurate and based on evidence already discredited in court.

I am sorry that these points suggest to you that I am hostile and rude.
Those factual points aside, on a personal note, I am tired of an agency for Autism working against my son's right to effective treatment.
If everytime someone disagrees with you or has facts you may be unaware of, does that mean they too will be rude and hostile.
I have no problem to say my sign off was laced with a tad of sarcasim, an my apologies because as fact one clearly states and you were absolutely right, everyone has the right to post anonymously without threat of reprisal. But one also has the right to relay factual information.
best wishes,
Norrah Whitney whose son is about to lose his effective ABA treatment that is saving his life in exactly two weeks unless she can raise 26 thousand dollars.

[Deleted User]

You know…. I've been part of this discussion board for about 5 or 6 years…. and this past year I am a bit shaken by the thread of hostility (and racism a few months ago) that has woven into the tapestry that is FEATBC. Perhaps FEATBC is not the place for me.

I also want to point out… if a person wishes to post anonymously they have the right to do so. It is part of the options of this board. It is little wonder that one wants to post this way, because there are some very rude and hostile people here.

p.s. There is more than one way to skin a cat… Barbara was the pot calling the kettle black… and as it appears…. there are more pots out there.

[Deleted User]

For the person who wouldn't identify themselves – let's consider a few things.

The Right to Choose unproven therapies vs effective science based proven Autism Treatment.

When you hear of a person who denies their child a life saving blood transfusion for "religous" reasons and you know the outcome for the child without that will be grim or worse. You can't say you protest when the court and law enforcement and child protection agencies of the land intervene in the form of court action and get an order to overturn the parents wishes no matter their basis, religious, ignorance or otherwise.
The RIGHTS OF THE CHILD to the most effective medically necessary treatment for whatever their malady is superseed those of the parents.

Not only is the Canadian Government placing children with Autism on a different plain than any other Canadian child with afflictions/illness but so too are the PARENTS of children with Autism.

You help to perpetuate this notion that Autism should be treated differently and with less concern for law than other illness by you believing your rights are more important than your child's right to effective medical treatment.

Remember you do not OWN your child. They are an entity unto themselves and THEY DO have rights, and it is so so sad that misinformed parents continue to infringe the rights of their children.
What is worse is that the children protection agencies and law enforcment agencies turn a blind eye to this nationwide disparity.

" A place for an organization like this"
Whoever posted this perhaps you could help me with something. Could you contact Lisa Simmermon of the ASC and ask her to provide her peer review notes of the CCHOTA. In case you don't even know what that is, it is a technology document commissioned by the FEDS to "try" to pull apart the benefits of ABA, and the ASC helped assist the gov. to create a document now being used against children in Canada who want effective science based treatment.
There is a place for this organization alright…is it not enough that you do not lobby and advocate for the most effective treatment we have to date, do you actually have to work and participate in denying children access to that critical treatment?
I think it is a sad state of affairs when we have to " take over" an organization to stop detriment to innocent children who DO have rights.

oh and my name is Norrah that is N O R R A H

[Deleted User]

To: Anonymous contributors
I feel that anybody who wants to express an opinion (and everyone has the right to that!) in this discussion board should at least have the decency to identify themselves.
There is an axiom I live by: "Whenever you get information, consider the source."

[Deleted User]

Dear Anonymous #1 and #2,

What other organizations are you talking about? I am a member of the ASBC and I haven't yet found any other organization that has done anything for my autistic son. I know the ex-executive director of the ASBC, the same who is wanting signatures,and know that she too has an ABA program for her child. Why is it that she, who is apparently all knowing, happens to have an ABA program running for her child. She seems to think that it is "BEST PRACTISE" Too!!!!!!!!!

No one is against anyone having their own opinion, but at least be honest enough to look at he truth first. Your children deserve it!

[Deleted User]

Dear Anonymous…. I totally agree with your post! I hope that your post will encourage people to stop and think about what they are doing. There is a place for both types of organisations… and it should remain so.

[Deleted User]

I agree that ASBC needs to work with the board that has been elected, I disagree with your methods Barbara. You are doing the exact same thing that you are accusing a parent from ASBC of doing…. And the very thing that parents who do not believe in ABA are afraid of…. That ASBC will be an extension of FEAT-BC. ASBC has offered materials on ABA for years and even suggested it to me more than 6 years ago. I feel that ABA has its place but that it was not something I felt was in the best interest for my son. I think that we have to work together both ASBC and FEAT-BC so that all methods are represented. I made up my own "program" for my son that works for him but I would not dare suggest that all autistic children should be on it. Each child is an individual and therefore should have an individualized program based on their needs. My son needed a lot of speech therapy and when he was able to communicate his needs, his autistic behaviour decreased. As to the letter that was written requesting signatures, it was not from a "disgruntled employee". The person left ASBC to work with her son… I felt that her concerns were outrageous but after reading your posting, I now feel that maybe she is right and I should sign the petition.

[Deleted User]

Just a reminder that there is a FEAT meeting tomorrow night (wednesday) at 7:30 at St Francis in the Woods in West Vancouver.

The topic will be the IEII program: who qualifies, how to get started and all the technical details on receiving your money including WCB issues and setting up your accounts. The meeting will be led by myself (Michelle). I have two children in ABA programs, one for 2 years and one for 1.5 years. Both of our children are participating in the IEII program.

This meeting is particularly of interest for parents just beginning their program through the IEII funding option. However we welcome all parents to attend even if your questions do not pertain to IEII.

[Deleted User]

Barbara, terrific post! It is well worth noting that none of the "good" happening today would have come to pass if it were not for the 30 dedicated and self-sacrificing families who 'put their money where their mouth's are".

FEAT supporters should indeed ensure that they are members of the ASBC so that any attempt to change the composition of the ASBC Board is prevented. We need to sign up ASAP as one needs to be a member now for 30 days prior to an AGM to be able to vote.

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