[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Dear FEATers,

I Need Taxes Advice and Help!

Recently attending the North Shore Lecture, I realized that for years I have NOT been making any Medical Claims.

I am now feeling very foolish and am totally confused about what needs to be claimed Federally, and what should be claimed Provincially.

Is there anyone out there who has been doing this for a while that can help me document everything properly and get started on the right track?

I'd be so grateful.

E-mail me at scissorhappy at shawmail.com
or call me at 604-709-6003

Thank you,
{Cathy}

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Dearest FEATers,

I need your help:
I'm trying to convince my ex husband
(for MANY reasons) to move to TORONTO.

As far as Autism goes, do any of you know about (any and all) pros and cons involved with moving there?

Or, do any of you know anyone currently in TORONTO running an aba team? I need advices and information.

Come get me at scissorhappy@shaw.ca

Thanks A Lot,

{Cathy}

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Good Morning Featers!

I am here in Vancouver and just lost all of my free Centre For Ability help. I am currently seeking a GREAT Physiotherapist, and perhaps an Occupational Therapist to help out with my 5 year old daughter. She needs assistance as soon as possible.

If anyone knows of anyone please e-mail me :
scissorhappy@shaw.ca

Thanks SO Much,
{Cathy}

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hey There!!! Yooo-Hooo!!!! Hi. We're Still Loookin for…

A dedicated, encouraging, enthusiastic, responsible, and creative person to join our well established, home based- Lovaas-style Applied Behavior Analysis program (an intensive behavioral program where the children are systematically taught what other children learn intuitively from their family and peers.)

We live in central Vancouver near Main and Broadway.

Our charming five year old daughter is low on the spectrum, has been receiving ABA therapy for three years, and is *very* verbal, affectionate, and fun. Her programs are fascinating, and her progress is swift.

Our consultant is Kimberly Kirsch and we work with the well established and respected Early Autism Project.

As our daughter enters Kindergarten, beyond running programs in the apartment, you will be helping her learn to socialize with other children through facilitated play dates, take community outings, play games, make art, and go to the playground. There is a lot of laughter involved in her sessions!

**If you have experience with running facilitated play dates, please contact us, we are losing a member of the team who is very skilled in this department and need an equally excellent replacement.**

Previous experience with autistic children would be an asset.
But, we will also be interested in individuals with a psychology or special education background. Initial training will be provided by our senior therapist along with follow up sessions.

These positions will appeal to people with an interest in psychology, education, special education, speech/language pathology or any other career involving children and clinical therapy.

This is not only a very good opportunity to gain training and job experience with minimal qualifications but also is a fabulously rewarding to see a young child's world expand.

All applicants should have strong play skills, have a positive attitude, be good multi-taskers, be able to take constructive feedback and implement it immediately, and should have lots of energy and patience.

Enthusiasm, dedication, reliability and a willingness to learn are required. Energy and a positive attitude is a must. Our team rocks! And, we appreciate what YOU do. You will, make a huge difference.

As a therapist, you need to be able to commit to: two-or-three, 3-hour-shifts a week, plus attend biweekly team progress meetings on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00. We currently have space open on: Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. But we are not completely constricted to those hours.

You also must be able to commit to the team for at least one year. We have found that leaving earlier than that can be disruptive and wastes enormous amounts of time and money.

Salary is negotiable and is based on experience.
Only apply if you are a natural at relating to children.
And as par, a current criminal record check will be required.

Please e-mail resumes to scissorhappy@shaw.ca and call us at: (604)709-6003.

Looking Forward To Hearing From You and Thanks Very Much-

{Cathy}

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

{Hello Fellow FEATers}

I was lucky enough to attend the "sold out" FEAT fundraiser at Capone's last night and wanted to fill you all in on the event.

Over half of the attendees were NOT parents of children with Autism. They are people who are fair, and clever, and want, as badly as we all do, to see the right thing happen: to see the government come forward and finally cover Autism through medicare. To see the right thing done. They genuinely care about our cause and wanted to help.

Jean and David O. Marley spoke (we are very lucky to have David O. Marley working with us…) both giving very focused, and inspiring speeches about the current state of affairs and the launch of the "FEAT-BC goes coastal" campaign. (Something I'm sure we'll all be hearing about soon.)

CBC-TV's "National" news team was there to (block my view of Jean and David O. Marley,) and to cover the event, as part of their plan for a possible mini-documentary on "autism activism". I really hope, for all of us, that this happens.

Parents: there is Federal election coming. It could come any day now. We need to step up to the plate and help. We can make a difference. Every letter we write, every newspaper article we get published, or e-mail we send, makes a difference.

I know how busy and overwhelming our lives can become, but taking the time out to let your newspaper or MP know that this matter matters…is vital.

Governing officials need to know, that we know, what's up.
We need to vote for and support people who are going to support us.

Remember, no matter how our officials try to back out, we need to tell them: this is MEDICAL issue, not a POLITICAL issue. Don't let them pull you into that trap. Our children are suffering, and deserve medical care.
Keep it simple.

There was such a warm feeling in that room last night.
It was fun. Food and drink and conversation and inspiration.
All evening, people were supportive, engaging, and truly interested in Autism. People want to know how it feels.
People want to know what it's like.
We need to tell them.

Thank you so much to everyone that put this event together and and made last night's event what it was.

I remembered, again, that we are not alone.
There are many of us.
All over Canada.
Working hard.

Let's make sure we take the time to let it be known.
Our voices need to be heard.

{Cathy}

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hey There!!! Yooo-Hooo!!!! Hi.

We are looking for a dedicated, encouraging, enthusiastic, responsible, and creative person to join our well established, home based- Lovaas-style Applied Behavior Analysis program (an intensive behavioral program where the children are systematically taught what other children learn intuitively from their family and peers. Our charming five year old daughter is low on the spectrum, has been receiving ABA therapy for three years, and is *very* verbal, affectionate, and fun. Her programs are fascinating, and her progress is swift.

Our consultant is Kimberly Kirsch and we work with the (well established and respected) Early Autism Project.

As she enters Kindergarten, beyond running programs in the apartment, you will be helping her learn to socialize with other children through facilitated play dates, take community outings, play games, make art, and go to the playground. There is a lot of laughter involved in her sessions!

**If you have experience with running facilitated play dates, please contact us, we are losing a member of the team who is very skilled in this department and need an equally excellent replacement.**

Previous experience with autistic children would be an asset.
But, we will also be interested in individuals with a psychology or special education background. Initial training will be provided by our senior therapist along with follow up sessions.

These positions will appeal to people with an interest in psychology, education, special education, speech/language pathology or any other career involving children and clinical therapy.

This is not only a very good opportunity to gain training and job experience with minimal qualifications but also is a fabulously rewarding to see a young child's world expand.

All applicants should have strong play skills, have a positive attitude, be good multi-taskers, be able to take constructive feedback and implement it immediately, and should have lots of energy and patience.

Enthusiasm, dedication, reliability and a willingness to learn are required. Energy and a positive attitude is a must. Our team rocks!

As a therapist, you need to be able to commit to: two-or-three, 2-or-3-hour-shifts a week, plus attend biweekly team progress meetings on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00. We currently have space open on: Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings, and Sunday mornings or afternoons. But we are not completely constricted to those hours.

You also must be able to commit to the team for at least one year. We have found that leaving earlier than that can be disruptive and wastes enormous amounts of time and money.

Salary is negotiable based on experience.
Only apply if you are a natural at relating to children.
And as par, a current criminal record check will be required.

We live in central Vancouver near Main and Broadway.

Please e-mail resumes to scissorhappy@shaw.ca and call us at: (604)709-6003.

Looking Forward To Hearing From You and Thanks Very Much-

Cathy

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Elna's Post is a good One!

A fantastic consultant in New York recently sent me both
"Visual Stratagies For Improving Communication"
(Practical Supports for School and Home)

and

"Solving Behavior Problems in Autism"
(Improving Communication With Visual Stratagies)
by Linda A. Hodgdon,

Not only did our lead buy them, but our
consultant liked them very much as well.

{Cathy}

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

High-Functioning Autistic Girl: Supportive Family: in Vancouver.
SEEKS TWO THERAPISTS!

We are looking for two dedicated, encouraging, enthusiastic, responsible, and creative people to join our well established, home based- Lovaas-style Applied Behavior Analysis program (an intensive behavioral program where the children are systematically taught what other children learn intuitively from their family and peers.)

Our five year old daughter is low on the spectrum, has been receiving ABA therapy for three years, and is *very* verbal, affectionate, and fun.

Her programs are fascinating, and her progress is swift. Our consultant is Kimberly Kirsch and we work with the (well established) Early Autism Project.

As she enters Kindergarten, beyond running programs in the apartment, you will be helping her learn to socialize with other children through facilitated play dates, take community outings, play games, make art, and go to the playground.

**If you have experience with running facilitated play dates, please contact us, we are losing a member of the team who is very skilled in this department and need an equally excellent replacement.**

Previous experience with autistic children would be an asset.
But, we will also be interested in individuals with a psychology or special education background. Initial training will be provided by our senior therapist along with follow up sessions.

These positions will appeal to people with an interest in psychology, education, special education, speech/language pathology or any other career involving children and clinical therapy.

This is not only a very good opportunity to gain training and job experience with minimal qualifications but also is a fabulously rewarding to see a young child's world expand.

All applicants should have strong play skills, have a positive attitude, be good multi-taskers, be able to take constructive feedback and implement it immediately, and should have lots of energy and patience.

Enthusiasm, dedication, reliability and a willingness to learn are required. Energy and a positive attitude is a must.

As a therapist, you need to be able to commit to
two or three, 3 hour shifts a week, plus attend biweekly team progress meetings on Wednesdays from 10:00-11:30.

You also must be able to commit to the team for at least one year. Leaving before that can be disruptive and can waste enormous amounts of time and money.

Weekend and evening shifts are available too, so you should easily be able to work around your university schedule.

Salary is negotiable based on experience.
Only apply if you are a natural at relating to children.
And as par, a current criminal record check will be required.

We live in central Vancouver near Main and Broadway.

Please e-mail resumes to scissorhappy@shaw.ca and call us at: (604)709-6003.

Looking Forward To Hearing From You and Thanks Very Much-

Cathy

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Hi Kind FEAT Peoples,

Last month I posted that I needed a dollhouse for my daughter's therapy and I just wanted to thank you for all the offers that poured in. I again, in yet another way, felt so supported and nurtured by you all. Stay kind…

{Cathy}

P.S. Now if any of you have a Smurf collection
you're not using…we'd happily adopt that too.

[Cathy Fitzhugh]

Fellow FEAT Members,

First off I'd like to thank you all for keeping me so up to date on all the important changes taking place all over Canada.
We must keep our energy up and keep fighting for out children, and we're all doing a great job. Be proud.

Now, I am looking for some stuff for our therapy:
It's for my five year old daughter.

*Does anyone have a decent dollhouse they're not using?
(I can't believe how much these things cost!)

*We need new puzzles! I'm having trouble finding them.
Interlocking with 6-12 pieces.
(Anyone know where to find a decent stash to buy?)

It'd really help me out.

Thanks everyone,

Cathy
scissorhappy@shaw.ca

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