[Joanna Ng]

Hi Tina.

Reading from your 2 postings on Feat, I suppose you are new to this community and Feat. While parents love to help whenever they can, please be reminded that unless we have information that we would like to share openly, I am afraid no one would reply your question since you have not included your personal email.

Any comments regarding specific individuals [eg Behavior Consultants, etc] openly would be improper. So, if you include your contact [email], I think you would get the info you need.

On the other hand, within the last year, centre-based agencies have flourished. These agencies are very attractive to families whom both parents are working and so, making it difficult to have home-based ABA. Apart from having very, very, very little control over and knowledge of the ABA therapies, the fees can be amazingly shocking.

[Joanna Ng]

Hi Brooks.

As a parent, I am really upset but not quite suprised with what happened to your child in school. However, having said that, for a child as young as 6, it left me speechless.

I guess that is why many parents are speechless. But I am sure many of us are thinking about Hunter's case because that could happen to any of our children, at anytime.

Thanks Bev, for speaking up again. "A friend in need is a friend indeed."

The school, the district and the government – it is totally useless to talk to them about moral duty. The fact that our children's medical treatment is being denied by the Health Ministry has already proven that moral duty does not exist.

The only way is, like Bev said, to get familiar with the Hewko case and get a trustworthy lawyer, and start telling them their legal duty.

On the other hand, I guess as we, the Feat readers are reading the 'talk' on integration vs segragation, your posting came to FEAT right on time. Nothing is more realistic that a true incident.

As much as I want to believe in integration, that is merely a term used by the school, but how much of it, is totally up to the school. The best thing they would say is that they are proud to have well-equipped sensory rooms and resource rooms to teach certain skills 1:1. Ahh…see, here's the catch. They just love the word 'sensory. If sensory issues could solve all behavior problems, my home would be the best equipped; not the schools.

That is why the schools fail our children, and worst, they failed themselves. Denying Behavior Consultants the access, what else does the school have? OT? SLP? None of these can solve the most difficult part- the behaviors. Least to say, the SEAs/EAs who have no experience whatsoever working with children with autism.

All the best Brooks. And hope to see you at the workshop. No one would care for our children other than us the parents. Take good care of yourself, and like David Chan always say, "Fight the good fight". To me, that fight is 'endless smart and sharp advocacy".

[Joanna Ng]

Hi Feat readers,

To those [like me] who missed the radio broadcast by Jean Lewis and David Marley on the upcoming workshop in April 30th; here's the website:

http://www.coopradio.org/station/archives/53

BTW, it is the one on March 11, 14:00, 2011

What touched me the most and saddenned me the most too…is what Jean said, "None has worked to get the government funding for these disabled children – but litigation and focused political action". [Which is the Auton Case]

Shashi, I understand how overwhelmed you are by the massive information we have out there. However, this workshop is one which is not to be missed.

In the radioclip, I was in tears when Jean said, "If today was your last day, what would you choose to do?"

Jean: "As a parent of a disabled child, if I knew today was my last day, I'd be completely comfortable in doing what I am doing – to expect healthcare discrimination end for children with disability [autism]."

Look forward to April.

[Joanna Ng]

Dear FEAT readers,
Another year's already here and way into its 3rd month. Hope everyone is doing well.

I am truly excited that Jean's workshop is finally around the corner. I just could not wait till April to hear her speak again.

I once thought that I am all alone in this journey [autism] with my child – struggling and groping in the dark. But later on, I realize there are many parents who truly work hard for the benefit of all these children who cannot fend for themselves; and also always trying to support parents/families who are searching for truth. Definitely, Medicare for Autism NOW supercedes all.

Like David shared, there is a light in the dark.

[Joanna Ng]

Hi Jane. Just a quick question to yours. Since you were told that ABA is not suitable for higher functioning kids on the spectrum, were you told [by the same person/organization] what is?

Thanks for sharing.

Joanna

[Joanna Ng]

Hi. This is a friendly reminder that a group of Burnaby parents will be meeting up soon. We are a non-membership group of parents who believe in equal rights of every parent to advocate for effective ABA-supports in school for our children.

Below is our meeting details:

First Meeting:
Date: Thursday Jan 6th, 2011
Time: 6:30-8:45pm
Location:
Burnaby Public Library
McGill Branch
4595 Albert Street
Burnaby BC V5C 2G6
[meeting/conference room]

Second Meeting:
Date: Thursday Jan 13th, 2011
Time: 6:30-9:00pm
Location: Bob-Prittie Library [Metrotown]
6100 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby BC V5H 4N5
[Meeting/Conference Room]

Please be informed that this is a meeting meant only for those residing in Burnaby. Thank you.

hana.takuya@yahoo.com

[Joanna Ng]

Thanks for sharing your views, Dione.

Happy New Year

[Joanna Ng]

Dear FEAT readers,

Happy New Year to all. Hope that every child on the spectrum will continue to improve with effective ABA programs at home as well as appropriate support in school.

A group of parents residing in Burnaby will be meeting up in January. We are a non-membership group of parents who believe in equal rights of every parent to advocate for effective ABA-supports in school for our children.

Below is our meeting details:

First Meeting:
Date: Thursday Jan 6th, 2011
Time: 6:30-8:45pm
Location:
Burnaby Public Library
McGill Branch
4595 Albert Street
Burnaby BC V5C 2G6
[meeting/conference room]

Second Meeting:
Date: Thursday Jan 13th, 2011
Time: 6:30-9:00pm
Location: Bob-Prittie Library [Metrotown]
6100 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby BC V5H 4N5
[Meeting/Conference Room]

Hope to see you there.

hana.takuya@yahoo.com

[Joanna Ng]

Like many parents, I have a friend who is having problems with school not accomodating to the needs of our children in the spectrum. The parent was asking about the groups/networks posted on ABA Support Network webpage.
http://abasupportnetwork.com/neighborhoodnetworks.php
The parent would like to know if she could get advocacy support from theses groups especially the organizer of the area mentioned. She does not speak English therefore I am translating the quote below for her. But I need to clarify to her if these groups do advocate. Please clarify on Feat as probably many more people would need to know as well.

Quote from ABA Support Network webpage:
[Small groups of ABA parents wanting to connect and network have been established in 9 areas in BC. These groups are being set up by parents who responded to an online survey that was distributed via email and available on our website from June-October of this year. Organizers are volunteers who have offered to set dates and locations for meetings, publicly post meeting dates, and maintain a mailing list of interested parents in their area.

If you are interested in attending a meeting in your area, please contact the organizer of a group to find out more information.

The purpose of these groups is to support each other according to the ABA Support Network mandate. Please read ¡°Why the ABA Support Network Exists¡± on our homepage.]

Thank you.

[Joanna Ng]

Dear FEAT readers,

There are only a few days before Christmas is here. Another year…again.

My kid has been doing ABA for a year now…under a great, loving and devoted consultant. I thank God for her because she sees my kid as a human being who has the right to live a fruitful life and not as a case or just another 'business'.

But even more, I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents like Dr. Sabrina Freeman, Jean Lewis, Beverley Sharpe, and all the parents/families who have fought against our heartless government — it is these souls who have won the battle for us in Auton and Hewko.

Thank you, for your fight has given my child his Autism Funding, allowing us to pay part of our autism bills. And thank you, for your battle in 'Hewko' that now I know, my child has his rights and he is protected by LAW and the LAW says so!

Thank you, that….
— regardless of the struggle you have in life, you did not give excuses not to do what is right;
— in your fight, you stood for what is right versus 'collaborating' and 'giving in' to those who do not give a thought about our children;
— in your fight, you never thought of protecting your privacy but only keep pressing forward for the good of every soul with autism;
— you sacrifice your own precious time for the good of our vulnerable ones;
— your selfless effort has brought so much to our children…

Thank you.

[Author]

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