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Joanna Ng
MemberMy home team is recently using a software that allows for our ABA data to be computerized and developed to replace the conventional papers-binders with our laptop.
Unlike previous ones, this software is simple but allows ABA teams to build various data sheets/programs of their choice. Video programming is also one of its main strength.
Therefore I thought I would like to share with more parents, professionals and community who are running ABA therapies who would like going green and paperless.
Check this out at
Member[This post has been removed due to violation of FEAT BC Discussion Group rules.]
Member[This post has been removed due to violation of FEAT BC Discussion Group rules.]
Member[This post has been removed due to violation of FEAT BC Discussion Group rules.]
MemberHi FEATERs!
I can't tell how happy I am to see such a lively FEAT board. It's never been this active since I joined the community 2 years ago.
I appreciate parents like Ducky [what a cute name!], David Chan and Dave to share their info and discussion openly because unless it's confidential, why not? Everyone benefits from it.
There is no need to say how hard and tiring life is when we have a child on the spectrum and parents who spent time typing this heck of info do not do it for fun.
The very first thing my child's experience taught me is: NEVER abdicate my role as a parent, advocate to anyone else. I trusted my family doctor, he failed my son. Then the pediatrician; he failed us even more miserably! My previous BC; no need to mention. At the end of the day, no one cares for my child more than I do!
Therefore IMO, no matter how great a system is, if the parent, I, am not in control or at least a key player in decision-making – then system is not working properly for my child's best interests. Parents are key players thanks to HEWKO!
Is not Democracy championed for that reason? People's rights? But people don't even care to vote anymore. I have heard reasons such as: "Oh, I don't believe in human governments". Or "I don't like any of the parties." Or "I don't think they are worthy of my vote."
Well, you know what? It is true we cannot control the outcome of everything we do. However, had we not try to work it out, we'll never know the results, be it advocacy or election day.
But when I see how hard my little child works in his ABA program and in life – I know all my work is worthwhile!!!
MemberART OF SCHOOL EXCLUSION:
1. RESOURCE ROOM!
2. SENSORY ROOM!!
3. NO MORE ROOM!!!
4. NO MORE SCHOOL!!!!MemberART OF SCHOOL EXCLUSION:
1. RESOURCE ROOM!
2. SENSORY ROOM!!
3. NO MORE ROOM!!!
4. NO MORE SCHOOL!!!!MemberHi Tina.
You are most welcome. I did not join FEAT till after 6 months of starting ABA. With a small boy and baby 2 years back, I hardly had time for anything else.
New families who joined now like you are very lucky, in the sense that you started early and are wise to look for advice in the correct network.
There are so many workshops out there. There are the ACT – but they are very costly; I have no budget for these costly workshops. ASBC's are good; and we get to fellowship after. That is where I knew about my consultant, she's local…and she's the best!
For new families like you, those run by BC Centre for Ability would be ok…for basic info like feeding, sleeping, fine motors…of course, there is no mentioning about ABA – but we know what we need. Why not attend because these are paid out of our taxes?!
There will be a lot of info. We need to scan them – I don't try to listen to everyone out there – but I see and believe in what's working for my child – and that's ABA.
I hope to see you in Jean Lewis's workshop on the 30th this month. We are lucky to have this topic on advocacy.
As I've shared – parents fled at this word "advocacy" – the school will show hostility when you started doing it. But to me, nothing in the world matters more than my little boy. There is nothing shameful or awful to advocate for our children. But some people are afraid because they do not wish to be 'black-listed' as trouble-maker parents by the school. Well….there is a better chance you won't if you have the correct info, skills and courage. It's a lie if someone tells you there is no obstacle in advocacy!
A parent hit the point by saying no regulation exists in the A community. That is why, we need the small 'a' [advocacy] in our big 'A' [Autism] world. We are the only one who can protect our kids' welfare.
I remember my former Consultant required writing a report every 3 months. Well, what's the use of those reports, of which I need to pay $1300 for each? The ministry does not require it. What purpose does it serve? The small 'a' kicked in.
What recently happened to little Hunter is the best witness. All our children will face that crisis if we don't react now!
Happy Easter!MemberHi Tanja and Tina.
Wanted to join the 'discussion' too but did not have the time till today.
My experience is the same as both of you. When we first sensed something 'missing' with our first child, I was pregnant with my second. I could recall how I needed to carry my boy because of his behaviors with my very, very big tummy. I had no room to think of the baby in me when my boy had behaviors. One time he pulled me, and I feel down – landed right on my tummy …to the ground.
We had little time for joy for our second newborn because my first was just diagnosed. How cruel life is! I should be happy with my little beautiful baby; instead my mind is full of anxiety and mixed feelings for my boy.
"What is there ahead of us?"
Feeding issues? There is probably no issues that we do not need to struggle with. Just finished cutting his hair – when he's napping. He dreads haircut. If you happen to see a boy with funny haircut – that could be my boy. Ha!
Food? He threw up frequently at meals. Eats only rice and his already limited range of foods seem to get even narrower as time goes by. No fruits or veg! He used to eat pizza and yogurt but no longer. He once loved Swiss roll, but one time, there was pieces of egg shells in the cream, he now refuses it. Absolutely no juice or candies or chocolates, which turns out to be good for his teeth. Still gags at colorful foods like cupcakes. We bought him an 18 inches chestnut cake for his 4th birthday, but he "eewww' at the look of it.
I once talked to a school staff about his picky eating. She commented before me, "What's wrong with these children?"
"What's wrong?" God knows what's wrong, if your own child has autism!
MemberDear Featers,
It is so true. As a new generation of parents in the 'A' community, we do not know much about the history of it. Of course, that included me.
When my child was diagnosed, we went to sign the papers, and started our Autism Funding. Who do you think will tell us about the history? I once thought that our BC government so take care of our children, we took it as given. The day we signed the papers, they bombarded us with numerous info and papers and manual; but nothing about the history. The government itself is too shameful to admit the history.
I even called those agencies which I later knew that were against ABA treatment in the Hewko case. Isn't that ugly? And they are so full [of clients] that they did not even bother to call me back even on a waitlist. I'm glad they did not.
History? Sad to say, not many people are interested. Ugly as it sounds, that is the truth.
Even when inviting a parent friend to an advocacy group, she said to me, "Don't bother to ask me, I'm not interested to meet with these people." and hung up on me. She's a parent friend, has a child on the spectrum too.
Sad to say, even when history is essential and so is the knowledge about advocacy [especially in school], some are not even interested to know or tend to ignore. People are too scared to come out of their comfort zone.
I do hope every parent who has child on the spectrum will join Jean's workshop. We need to wake up people! It's April, it is not a coincidence. April is Autism Awareness month.
Before we expect change from the government, we need to be united. Autism community, I'm sorry to say, is so very divided.
History needs to be taught; and the piece about it cannot and should not be missing from the Feat board, because this is the only network that will tell the truth.
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