[Jemma Lee]

Dear Friends,

Connor Auton has developed intense SIB due to problems in residential care. Given his age, the expertise available here is woefully inadequate. His family needs help funding behaviour treatment by truly qualified professionals from overseas.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/autism-treatment-for-connor

Our newer members may be unaware it was the Auton court battle that resulted in the annual autism funding for BC families. Most of us are spending extra and have no money to spare, but a few dollars would serve as a token of appreciation.

Thank you.

[Jemma Lee]

For a prime example of a government-funded organization "advocating" for disabled children, do a google search of the following:

"Statement from Autism Ontario regarding autism programming in Ontario"

This, ladies and gentlemen, is how you earn an Order of Canada.

[Jemma Lee]

This may be a bit late, but this is important for Vancouver parents:

Do NOT vote for Patti Bacchus. She is about as anti-ABA as they get.

[Jemma Lee]

I am posting the following message for a consultant who wishes to remain anonymous. (I am doing it as a gesture of friendship rather than endorsement.)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I am a consultant who has clients in many different school districts. I find that in districts like Surrey and Victoria, where there is a systematic acceptance of ABA, I am more welcome and my clients programs are gladly accepted and implemented. In other districts, even where the child has their own home therapist hired, there is animosity, resentment, and road blocking by other aides, by teachers, by the principal and by the integration teacher. In my experience, in Surrey, once the school team sees the work of the ABA SW they are greatly respected. And, the school works with the ABA SW to fully implement the child's program. In Surrey, I feel that I am as effective as I possible can be. In other districts, in some cases, I am 20% to 30% effective. In one case, I actually told the parent that they were wasting their money having me go into the school because I felt I was completely ineffective. I suggested that their resources would be better spent at home.

Firstly, it is important to get a highly skilled and committed ABA aide (whether or not from your home team), but secondly it is important to have a system in place that facilitates the implementation of individually designed ABA curriculum, where the aide is not resented and where ABA is accepted, from the top down. The systematic approach to ABA implementation in the the Surrey school system is what benefits ALL of the ABA students in Surrey, and what makes the ABA SW program so effective.

[Jemma Lee]

Here is some news from south of the border.

Fifteen states have enacted autism insurance reform legislation. Many others are expected to vote on similar legislation this year…

Unprecedented Week for Autism Insurance Reform As Three More States Act To End Discrimination Against Children With Autism
http://www.autismvotes.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=frKNI3PCImE&b=3930723&ct=8146949

As opposed to hiding behind "jurisdiction issues", the federal government is also making progress…

U.S. House Passes Health Care Reform Bill Containing Provision For Autism Insurance Reform
http://www.autismvotes.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=frKNI3PCImE&b=3930723&ct=8107177

We can expect a lot more Autism Refugees going south. I know we are a nation with great hockey players, but patriotism means nothing when you're watching your kid disintegrate.

[Jemma Lee]

Here is World Autism Awareness Day Message from Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/minist/messages/_2010/2010_04_01c-eng.php

Sounds familiar? This is the same script that has been used a thousand times to tell us "we need to learn more about the causes of ASD and the most effective treatments and interventions BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT DOES ANYTHING TO HELP."

I wish Aglukkaq would explain the following:

1. Unlike numerous other disorders, it's wrong to provide INTERVENTION for autism until you know the CAUSE?

2. The on-going search for the MOST effective treatments somehow disallows the provision of ANY treatment?

Instead of insulting my intelligence, I would rather just hear her say, "please understand parents of autistic children have too little political influence to be worth our attention."

[Jemma Lee]

The article says Donna Sargent (trustee) believes "the Richmond school district can no longer afford to keep directing funding from other areas to fund its inclusiveness programs":

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Richmond%20sack%20school%20staff/2754843/story.html

Many Richmond parents are sure to be fooled into blaming only the provincial government, without the knowledge that their school district has ALWAYS been one of the worst for special needs students.

In my opinion, there is something fundamentally wrong with Sargent's view that inclusiveness is a luxury that should be funded only when cash can be spared from her NORMAL KIDS programs.

[Jemma Lee]

Hi Everyone,

I have a couple of questions about property taxes:

Do you know any family who gets the "Additional Home Owner Grant" because of an autistic child?

If you reserve a large room for therapy of all sorts, including Occupational Therapy, is it a good enough reason for the Additional Home Owner Grant?

If you do qualify, how many years can you claim retroactively?

Thanks in advance.

Jemma
lee.jemma@yahoo.com

[Jemma Lee]

Hi Andrew,

I too want to thank you. I learn more from you than from anyone else.

Hi Barbara,

I am way beyond "concerned" about Autism Speaks Canada giving money to Laurent Mottron. There is no bigger insult that they can add to our injury. Someone must somehow crush Suzanne Lanthier and her friends. If we don't start striking some fear into these people, we are guilty of denying justice to our children.

Jemma

[Jemma Lee]

Hello everyone,

Did you all have a nice Autism Awareness Day?

Yes, yes, I know "World Autism Awareness Day" is not until tomorrow.

But to us parents of autistic children, EVERY day is Autism Awareness Day. That means today, yesterday, and any other day.

What we really need is an "Autism POLITICAL Awareness Day."

We need all families of autistic children to realize that Mike Lake (and the rest of government) is not their friend. We need all Canadians to understand that their children will one day be burdened with a country full of untreated autistics. We need everyone to know that anyone can become disabled when they get old, but our inferior nation does not have adequate legislation to protect the disabled. We must all become aware that the defeat of autism advocacy means the defeat of Canadian society.

Jemma

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