[Mike & Jean]

 

Who is driving the Canadian “autism policy bus”?

 

“How we care for the most vulnerable in society is very important.”

So said Justin Trudeau in February, 2016. Later that same year, delegates to the Liberal Party of Canada’s national convention passed a “priority health-care policy resolution” calling for federal funding for medically-necessary autism treatment (ABA/IBI). Today in Canada there are over 500,000 people on the autism spectrum, almost 60% of whom have moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and up to 50% are non-verbal. And yet, there’s not word one in the Liberal’s policy platform for this election about autism. Why not?

 

What do the Conservatives have to say?

Late in this campaign, on behalf of the party, an obscure back-bencher from Alberta released a statement that acknowledges the high cost of evidence-based therapies and yet makes no provision for funding medically-necessary treatment. Instead, it makes a lame commitment to five more years of consultations with a price tag of 50 million taxpayer dollars. Why did Andrew Scheer not make this announcement? Aren’t Canadians living with autism worthy of his attention?

 

It is now time for Canadians to know what the Conservative Party deputy leader, Lisa Raitt, has to say on this subject.  While a candidate in the 2008 federal election, and as re-affirmed in July of this year, Ms. Raitt said, “I believe whole-heartedly in public medicare funding for applied behavior analysis and intensive behavior intervention. As a mom, this is one public policy issue about which I feel particularly strongly. It is something I would support publicly, and I would be a strong voice in government advocating for special-need kids. In my opinion, the current lack of funding, in every province, for this kind of effective therapy is a glaring gap in the promise of universal health insurance. And it treats kids with neurological challenges differently than kids with physical challenges. That’s not fair or right.”

 

This is exactly what Canadians living with autism and their families need! So, Lisa – where is your “strong voice” now regarding your party’s grossly inadequate proposal?

 

The Liberals are silent. The Conservatives want to spend 5 more years and $50 million consulting with, among others, “autistic individuals”. Really, which ones? Certainly not the up to 50% who are non-verbal or the almost 60% with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

 

Who is driving the Canadian “autism policy bus”? Is it a small percentage of people mildly affected by autism, who are verbally competent? If so, why? In addition, is it a group of “self-diagnosed” individuals? How is “self-diagnosis” even legitimate?  Why isn’t medical science at the centre of these policy consultations? Nowhere in the Conservative proposal for consultations are the medical or scientific communities listed.

 

Contrast our country’s dismal reality with the United States where recently the 50^th and final state requires health-care insurers to include coverage for ABA/IBI in their policies.

In addition the US federal administration has committed a further $1.8 billion to support research and treatment initiatives.

 

If the people we elect will not do the right thing for Canadians living with moderate to severe autism, who will? Sadly, Canadian families/supporters have learned that the only progress made to date has been ordered by the courts. The Auton case (2000) was ground-breaking. It appears more litigation is on the way.

It’s grotesque that the most vulnerable Canadians have to turn to the courts in order to get health-care. So be it.

 

-30-

 

For more information, contact: info@medicareforautismnow.org

http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike & Jean]

The following letter is our response to the Globe and Mail’s lengthy article about former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin’s legacy.

Why is the “Auton” case originating in British Columbia, one of Canada’s most important Charter challenges, glaringly omitted from the former Chief Justice’s carefully curated list of cases pertaining to the Charter? It dealt with whether our healthcare system should provide “medically necessary”, as found by the trial judge, autism treatment to those effected with this often times devastating disorder.

In 2004, Chief Justice McLachlin wrote the majority opinion which inexplicably overturned two lower court rulings, thereby in the words of a noted constitutional lawyer, “gutting Section 15 of the Charter”, reinforcing decades of systemic discrimination against the disabled and effectively excluding our country’s most vulnerable citizens from the protections of the Charter.

As a parent, treatment advocate and litigant in this case, I cannot overstate the cost in human suffering resulting from this decision. To this day, the consequences continue to devastate Canadians with autism, their families, our communities and our country.

Chief Justice McLachlin said, “It’s the humanity in every case that is so important to me, and it always has been.”  Really?  Read the news! No government, provincial or federal, is doing the morally or fiscally correct thing for our children.  Why would they?  The “Auton” decision gave them a free pass; reaffirming that in Canada, “some of us are more equal than others”.

This shameful decision and its dark consequences are also part of Chief Justice McLachlin’s legacy. One which ought not be ignored or forgotten.

Jean Lewis, Co-founder-Medicare for Autism Now Society. http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

[Mike & Jean]

Dear Prime Minister:

<u> </u>

Today is “Autism Awareness Day”, when some suggest we should celebrate this neurological disorder as just another way of being. This is bizarre and offensive in equal measure.

 

Last May, delegates to the Liberal Party of Canada’s national convention, held in Winnipeg, recognized the right way to respond to this national epidemic of staggering proportions when they overwhelmingly passed a priority health-care policy resolution calling upon the Government of Canada to work with provinces and territories to include under our supposedly universal MEDICARE plan science-based treatment for autism spectrum disorder (“ASD”), specifically Applied Behavioural Analysis. A copy of the resolution is enclosed. This initiative was assisted and encouraged by our not-for-profit organization, the Medicare for autism Now! Society (“MFAN”).

 

To date, almost one year later, you and your Cabinet colleagues have failed to do what your extra-parliamentary party has instructed and literally hundreds of thousands of Canadians desperately need. This inaction is in spite of the Government of Canada having concluded “Health Accords” with every province except Manitoba, most of which purport to involve an emphasis on increased federal funding for mental health issues. Why do you and your colleagues continue to ignore the plight of persons afflicted with ASD and their families, and continue to deny appropriate funding for what our courts have long ago ruled to be the medically necessary treatment of this often devastating neurological disorder?

 

According to the report “PAY NOW OR PAY LATER, Autism Families in Crisis” released by a Senate committee in March, 2007, the number of ASD diagnoses was then one in 166, which indicated that, fully ten years ago, there were some 48,000 children, aged 19 and under, and 144,000 adults living in Canada with this condition.

 

 

-2-

 

Today, in North America the incidence rate of ASD is estimated by the world-renown Centers for Disease Control, in Atlanta, to be one in 68. We are reliably advised that this ratio translates into roughly 129,000 children and 386,000 adults living in Canada with ASD. Clearly, it is long past time for action, as has been undertaken in the United States where, at last count, fully 44 states require health insurance providers to include in their policies coverage for science-based treatment for ASD, specifically Applied Behaviour Analysis. No further consideration should be given to expensive proposals calling for yet another self-serving bureaucracy and perennial gab-fests, such as the one recently put forward by the Canadian Autism Partnership Project. As a former premier of Ontario, and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Hon. Bob Rae, said, in his letter of April 21, 2016 endorsing the enclosed resolution, “It is long past time to end this unacceptable discrimination by including treatment for this neurological disorder where it rightfully belongs in our country’s health-care system.”

 

In February, 2016, in talking about old age pension entitlements, you said, “How we treat vulnerable people in our society is very important.” We agree. There can be few more vulnerable people in Canada today than those who suffer from untreated, moderate to severe ASD. In the mandate letter you sent to Health Minister Jane Philpott, upon her admission to Cabinet, you stated, inter alia, “It is my expectation that you will engage constructively and thoughtfully and add priorities to your agenda when appropriate…We will be a government that governs for all Canadians…As Minister of Health, your overarching goal will be to strengthen our publicly-funded universal health care system and ensure it adapts to new challenges.”

 

We sent an e-mail to the Health Minister, on November 20^th of last year, asking her what steps were being taken to implement this long overdue and urgently needed policy change. To date, we have yet to receive an acknowledgement of our communication. We have had a similar lack of response from Finance Minister Morneau to a letter, dated June 22, 2016, we sent him respecting this issue. A copy of each communication is enclosed. So much for a government committed to openness and engagement.

 

What is it going to take to get you and your colleagues in the Government of Canada to recognize the seriousness of this health-care crisis (identified as such by the Senate ten years ago) and to respond by doing the morally right and fiscally responsible thing through ensuring appropriate funding within MEDICARE for the science-based treatment of ASD, specifically Applied Behaviour Analysis?

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Jean Lewis                                                                             David Marley,

Director, MFAN                                                                     Director, MFAN

 

[Mike & Jean]

Please read and share the following letter in response to: "Why do autism specialists want to stamp out autistic traits?"

Dear Editor:

Re: "Why do autism specialists want to stamp out autistic traits?",
published in the Globe and Mail on January 29, 2016.

Anthony Easton is a fortunate man. Despite being diagnosed, "late" according
to him, with autism spectrum disorder ("ASD"), he has evidently been able to
earn not one but two master's degrees. In what discipline exactly he doesn't
say. While apparently unable to find gainful employment, notwithstanding his
academic achievements, he appears to live a fulfilling life of speaking
engagements and writing assignments. He can speak and write well. I'm
confident he can also tie his shoe-laces, feed and toilet himself. Not so
everyone diagnosed with ASD.

The grim reality for thousands of other Canadians living with ASD, as well
as for their families, is a far cry from Mr. Easton's not unenviable
existence. It is a life of frustrating social isolation, where even the
smallest tasks essential to living a dignified human life are beyond reach.

Contrary to Mr. Easton's assertion, "most of us", Canadians that is, believe
ASD should be, if not cured, at least ameliorated as far as possible
respecting its most debilitating traits. As for Applied Behavioural Analysis
("ABA"), which is science-based and evidence-driven, in 2004 the Supreme
Court of Canada found it to be "medically necessary treatment", while lower
courts have held that "There are no effective competing therapies". Despite
these legal findings, to Canada's great shame, we have yet to include
science-based treatment for ASD in our so-called "universal" national
MEDICARE health insurance coverage. This remains so even though, at present,
the incidence rate of ASD diagnosis is one in 68 children in North America
and rapidly rising. This is an epidemic of staggering proportions and our
governments do nothing but dither, build worse than useless web-sites and
convene myopic gab-fests where folks bloviate about "national strategies for
autism".

Apart from the moral bankruptcy of denying treatment that is medically
necessary to thousands of our most vulnerable fellow Canadians, it is
financially irresponsible. The reliably estimated cost to our society of
untreated, or inadequately treated, individuals living with ASD is enormous
and fast growing.

I do not have an autistic child, yet have been involved in advocacy on
behalf of such children and their families for over a decade. During this
time, I have often been struck by how people such as Mr. Easton, who argue
in favour of preserving their "neuro-diverse identity", so often engage in
excessive self-referencing, while showing little, if any, empathy for those
living with a more severe type of ASD. Over time, this becomes as tedious as
it is unhelpful.

The Globe and Mail would better serve its readers and, most particularly,
Canadians living with ASD if you devoted your limited and valuable editorial
space to coverage of the positive work that is being done in our country and
elsewhere to improve the lives of persons living with ASD.

Sincerely,

David Marley
Director, Medicare for autism Now! Society

http://www.medicareforautismnow.org.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/why-do-autism-specialists-want-to-sta
mp-out-autistic-traits/article28441771/

[Mike & Jean]

Parents: If you are trying to recruit ABA therapists, you should be aware of the following recruitment ad currently posted on craigslist. In my opinion, it is full of red flags. The recruiters only identify themselves as a group of "senior behavior therapists" Really? Who are they and more importantly, whose supervising them? And, offering to "fix resumes" is unethical.

SEEKING INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN HUMAN BEHAVIOUR- NO EXPERIENCE NEEDE

compensation: $15-16 start up to $40.00 increase with experience
employment type: employee's choice

This is an intensive 30-hour crash course in ABA (one of the branches in psychology) that can be completed either within one week or 2 months.

One of the branches of psychology is Behaviourism; the field concerned with understanding human behaviour. Behaviorism dates back to the 1950's with theorists testing to see if they can change animal's behaviours through certain reinforcing and punishing conditions. It worked.

65 years later, this field has flourished into being the only scientifically proven treatment for Autism. It is also widely used for the treatment of ADD, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Bipolar, Anxiety disorders, addictions and Phobias.

WHO ARE WE AND WHAT IS OUR MISSION:

As ABA has great scientific validity, it is high in demand by families who have children diagnosed with behavioural disorders. For this reason, there is a shortage of sufficiently trained individuals.
We are a group of Senior Behaviour Therapists seeking individuals with an interest and curiosity for human behaviour and psychology.
The Aim is to introduce newly trained individuals into the community of ABA.

We are looking for individuals who have always had the passion and curiosity in human behaviour, but never had the chance to explore.

WHAT IS THE COURSE CONTENT EXACTLY AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

This is a 30-hour intensive crash course in Applied Behaviour Analysis. We will cover the main principles of this treatment and give you a thorough training of the field. You will also be familiarized with the career aspect of this branch in psychology. I.e. How to move up in the field, all of the different career opportunities, etc.

Once we have your availability we will match you up with a group that matches your schedule. We have students who come in everyday, and others who come in one evening a week.

WHAT ELSE?

For students who successfully pass their final exam, we will assist you in "fixing up" your resume, cover letter, and interview skills required for the field. By the end of the course you should feel comfortable and confident in what this therapy is about, all of the main treatment principles, terminology used, behaviour functions, principles of changing behaviour, and an understanding of the field in terms of its career benefits.

COST OF COURSE?

419

WHAT ARE SOME OF MY CAREER OPTIONS IN THE FIELD OF ABA? AND WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE FOR EACH?

Junior behaviour therapist: working either in home or school setting with a group of professionals including a behaviour consultant and a speech pathologist. Pay starts around $15.00-$16.00 and can go up to $20.00 per hour.

Senior behaviour therapist: A more experienced therapist. Works either in home or school settings- responsible for training the new therapists on the team, works closely with the behaviour consultant. Pay starts around $20.00-$25.00 and can go up to $40.00 – $45.00 per hour.

SEA: Special Education Assistant. A Behaviour therapist working in a school board full time from 8:45-2:45. This would be a full time position with a school board and includes working union benefits. Pay starts around $25.00 and can go up to $30.00 per hour.

YOU DO NOT NEED EXPERIENCE BUT YOU DO NEED A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN AND TAKE IN FEEDBACK. YOU MUST ENJOY WORKING WITH CHLDREN AND HAVE A NATUARALLY TOLERANT AND PATIENT CHARACTER.

[Mike & Jean]

Parents: If you are trying to recruit ABA therapists, you should be aware of the following recruitment ad currently posted on craigslist. In my opinion, it is full of red flags. The recruiters only identify themselves as a group of "senior behavior therapists" Really? Who are they and more importantly, whose supervising them? And, offering to "fix resumes" is unethical.

SEEKING INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN HUMAN BEHAVIOUR- NO EXPERIENCE NEEDE

compensation: $15-16 start up to $40.00 increase with experience
employment type: employee's choice

This is an intensive 30-hour crash course in ABA (one of the branches in psychology) that can be completed either within one week or 2 months.

One of the branches of psychology is Behaviourism; the field concerned with understanding human behaviour. Behaviorism dates back to the 1950's with theorists testing to see if they can change animal's behaviours through certain reinforcing and punishing conditions. It worked.

65 years later, this field has flourished into being the only scientifically proven treatment for Autism. It is also widely used for the treatment of ADD, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Bipolar, Anxiety disorders, addictions and Phobias.

WHO ARE WE AND WHAT IS OUR MISSION:

As ABA has great scientific validity, it is high in demand by families who have children diagnosed with behavioural disorders. For this reason, there is a shortage of sufficiently trained individuals.
We are a group of Senior Behaviour Therapists seeking individuals with an interest and curiosity for human behaviour and psychology.
The Aim is to introduce newly trained individuals into the community of ABA.

We are looking for individuals who have always had the passion and curiosity in human behaviour, but never had the chance to explore.

WHAT IS THE COURSE CONTENT EXACTLY AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

This is a 30-hour intensive crash course in Applied Behaviour Analysis. We will cover the main principles of this treatment and give you a thorough training of the field. You will also be familiarized with the career aspect of this branch in psychology. I.e. How to move up in the field, all of the different career opportunities, etc.

Once we have your availability we will match you up with a group that matches your schedule. We have students who come in everyday, and others who come in one evening a week.

WHAT ELSE?

For students who successfully pass their final exam, we will assist you in "fixing up" your resume, cover letter, and interview skills required for the field. By the end of the course you should feel comfortable and confident in what this therapy is about, all of the main treatment principles, terminology used, behaviour functions, principles of changing behaviour, and an understanding of the field in terms of its career benefits.

COST OF COURSE?

419

WHAT ARE SOME OF MY CAREER OPTIONS IN THE FIELD OF ABA? AND WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE FOR EACH?

Junior behaviour therapist: working either in home or school setting with a group of professionals including a behaviour consultant and a speech pathologist. Pay starts around $15.00-$16.00 and can go up to $20.00 per hour.

Senior behaviour therapist: A more experienced therapist. Works either in home or school settings- responsible for training the new therapists on the team, works closely with the behaviour consultant. Pay starts around $20.00-$25.00 and can go up to $40.00 – $45.00 per hour.

SEA: Special Education Assistant. A Behaviour therapist working in a school board full time from 8:45-2:45. This would be a full time position with a school board and includes working union benefits. Pay starts around $25.00 and can go up to $30.00 per hour.

YOU DO NOT NEED EXPERIENCE BUT YOU DO NEED A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN AND TAKE IN FEEDBACK. YOU MUST ENJOY WORKING WITH CHLDREN AND HAVE A NATUARALLY TOLERANT AND PATIENT CHARACTER.

[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC

As a parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others! Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision.

Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts.

This workshop will teach you how to:
Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager
Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers
Design an effective IEP
Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
Prepare for and manage school meetings
Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide
Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant
Replace an SEA “who has gone bad”
Identify when to “lawyer-up”

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun!

This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions.

Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives.
Spaces are limited so register today.
Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org

About the presenters:
Dr. Sherri Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

David Marley has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions. Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Jean Lewis has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system. In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC

As a parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others! Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision.

Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts.

This workshop will teach you how to:
Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager
Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers
Design an effective IEP
Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
Prepare for and manage school meetings
Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide
Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant
Replace an SEA “who has gone bad”
Identify when to “lawyer-up”

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun!

This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions.

Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives.
Spaces are limited so register today.
Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org

About the presenters:
Dr. Sherri Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

David Marley has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions. Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Jean Lewis has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system. In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC

As a parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others! Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision.

Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts.

This workshop will teach you how to:
Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager
Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers
Design an effective IEP
Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
Prepare for and manage school meetings
Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide
Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant
Replace an SEA “who has gone bad”
Identify when to “lawyer-up”

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun!

This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions.

Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives.
Spaces are limited so register today.
Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org

About the presenters:
Dr. Sherri Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

David Marley has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions. Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Jean Lewis has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system. In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC

As a parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others! Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision.

Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts.

This workshop will teach you how to:
Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager
Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers
Design an effective IEP
Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
Prepare for and manage school meetings
Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide
Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant
Replace an SEA “who has gone bad”
Identify when to “lawyer-up”

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun!

This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions.

Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives.
Spaces are limited so register today.
Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org

About the presenters:
Dr. Sherri Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

David Marley has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions. Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Jean Lewis has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system. In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors

[Author]

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