[Mike & Jean]

Attention all parents! The next F.E.A.T. of B.C. parent discussion meeting is on Monday, February 21, 2005.

Our guest speaker is: Eve Neely who is a Behavioural Consultant new to our area. Her presentation is: "How to use the science of A.B.A. to streamline your Lovaas program."

The meeting is at St.Francis-in-the-wood Anglican Church in West Vancouver. It begins at 7:30 p.m. and concludes at 9:00 p.m. Download a map off this website.

Please email me at jean.lewis@telus.net to reserve a seat.

See you on the 21st.

Jean

[Mike & Jean]

Attention all parents! The next F.E.A.T. of B.C. parent discussion meeting is on Monday, February 21, 2005.

Our guest speaker is: Eve Neely who is a Behavioural Consultant new to our area. Her presentation is: "How to use the science of A.B.A. to streamline your Lovaas program."

The meeting is at St.Francis-in-the-wood Anglican Church in West Vancouver. It begins at 7:30 p.m. and concludes at 9:00 p.m. Download a map off this website.

Please email me at jean.lewis@telus.net to reserve a seat.

See you on the 21st.

Jean

[Mike & Jean]

Below you will find the text of an editorial run today in the Calgary Herald. I am sickened by the tone and inaccuracies it contains. I would refer you to the last paragraph which contains the line "and a bucket of water to drown this monster at birth" What comes next from these idiots – drown the autistic at birth?

If you Google the Calgary Herald and go to their web-site there is a link on the left that lets you send a letter to the editor. I suggest we bury them with our indignation.

Michael

Something in the Ontario water?
If judges tell government how to spend your money, watch out

Calgary Herald

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Despite last fall's Supreme Court of Canada decision tossing out an attempt by a B.C. group to have the province pay for a specific treatment for their autistic children, the Ontario Superior Court wants to keep the issue alive.

A similar Ontario group has applied to the court to order the Ontario government to pay for ABA/IBI, a treatment credited in some circles for significant improvement in autistic children. Pending a future decision, the Superior Court has issued an injunction obliging Queen's Park to pay $60,000 a year for each of the three children.

The Superior Court's stance is surprising. When the Supreme Court decides, that is supposed to settle things, and in the so-called Auton case, it rightly ruled it was the job of provincial governments, not the courts, to set health-care priorities. If it seems presumptuous for a lower court to ignore a higher one, it is, though the litigants are now arguing that if the right to treatment cannot be based on health, it should derive from education.

However, that too is a provincial jurisdiction. So, the question remains: Who shall make government spending decisions: politicians or judges?

The Constitution gives the job to elected, and therefore accountable, officials. They know their budget and must allocate it among competing demands — not merely setting medical priorities, but deciding among health, education and other necessary functions. They may not always be right. But, unlike judges, they can be voted out.

Now, parents of autistic children have a tough job, and deserve every sympathy.

But, hard cases make bad law. It is all very well for judges to feel sorry for afflicted children, but nothing in their training makes them competent to decide ABA/IBI — or anything else — is appropriate. Certainly, the Supreme Court called it unproven, a sufficient indication that lawyers should leave medicine to doctors, and vice-versa.

Worse for taxpayers, though, is that having made such an order, a judge is not responsible for finding the money to pay for it. In theory, nothing would prevent non-elected judges ordering expenditures elected governments couldn't afford, with the best represented groups getting to the front of the queue. This stands the principle of responsible government on its head.

The Ontario Superior Court will rule on the case later this year. We trust the Ontario government will be standing by with an appeal, and a bucket of water to drown this monster at birth — on behalf of all Canadians.

© The Calgary Herald 2005

[Mike & Jean]

Just a reminder – Registration info. for the upcoming workshop,"Autism Treatment-Whats Science got to with it", can be downloaded from the FEAT website by going to "FEAT EVENTS and clicking on http://www.featbc.org/downloads/ASATconference.pdf

Jean

[Mike & Jean]

Attention parents, therapists, consultants, speech pathologists etc. Following is information about our FEAT/ASAT/ASBC workshop on Saturday, March 12, 2005. The information provided at this event is crucial for parents and professionals, especially now. Don't be disappointed, book early. Registration information is on the Autism Society's website: http://www.autismbc.ca. March 12, 2005, One-Day Workshop entitled: "Autism – What's Science got to do with it?" : Integrating science-based interventions, including: speech pathology into intensive behavioural treatment programs.
Featuring Special Guest Speakers: Bobby Newman, PhD BCBA, Dr. Sabrina Freeman (Sociologist & author of the book Teach Me Language) and Joanne E. Gerenser, MA, CCC-SLP.
Bobby Newman, Ph.D., BCBA
Bobby Newman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and licensed psychologist. He is the President of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, Past-President of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis, and is on the adjunct faculty of Queens College. Bobby is the Director of Training and Research at Association in the Metroarea for Autistic Citizens (AMAC) and Supervising Psychologist for Effective Interventions, Inc. His books include Behaviorspeak, When Everybody Cares: Case Studies of ABA with People with Autism, Words From Those Who Care, Graduated Applied Behavior Analysis, No Virtue in Accident and The Reluctant Alliance. He has consulted and designed programs for children and adults diagnosed with autistic-spectrum disorders all over the United States as well as in Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and England. Dr. Newman has been honored for his work by several parents’ groups. He has hosted a regular radio call-in program and lectures all over the world.
Joanne E. Gerenser, M.A., CCC-SLP
Joanne Gerenser is the Executive Director of the Eden II Programs in Staten Island, New York, an educational, residential and adult services program for individuals with autism and related disorders. She holds a Master’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and a Clinical Certificate of Competency from the American Speech and Hearing Association. Ms. Gerenser lectures internationally on issues in autism and developmental disabilities.
Sabrina Freeman, Ph.D.
Sabrina Freeman holds a Doctorate in Sociology from Stanford University and has been a tireless advocate for the rights of children with autism to science-based treatment since 1996, when she founded the first autism advocacy movement in Canada, FEATBC, dedicated to providing universal access to medically necessary health care for children with autism. Dr. Freeman’s books include Teach Me Language, A Language Manual for Children with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Related Developmental Disorders, and Science for Sale in the Autism Wars. Dr. Freeman lives in BC with her husband, son, and 16-year-old daughter with autism.
Sponsored in-association with ASAT (Association for Science in Autism Treatment) and in-cooperation with FEATBC (Families for Early Autism Treatment British Columbia), this is the first of on-going, high caliber, state-of-the-art, science-based workshops which will provide parents and professionals with vital information on behavioural research and scientifically validated best practices in the treatment of autism – presented by recognized leaders in the field.
What is ASAT? The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) is a US national not-for-profit organization formed by a group of parents and professionals. ASAT’s mission is to disseminate accurate, scientifically sound information about autism and treatments for autism, and to improve access to effective, science-based treatments for all people with autism, regardless of age, severity of condition, income or place of residence.
What is ASBC? Since 1975, the Autism Society of British Columbia (ASBC) has been representing and providing support to individuals with autism and their families in B.C. and the Yukon. ASBC is a parent-based and directed non-profit society whose goals are to promote understanding, acceptance, and full community inclusion for people with autism in B.C., while providing support for the realization of the rights and informed choices of individuals with autism and their families.
What is FEATBC? Established in 1996, Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC (FEAT of BC) is a non-profit, volunteer organization of parents and concerned professionals working for universal access to effective autism treatment for all children diagnosed with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Its goal is making effective science-based autism treatment available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
Why Should You Attend This Conference? Until recently autism was considered to be lifelong and severely incapacitating. However, scientific investigation has demonstrated that, with early, effective and validated intervention, individuals with autism can make significant improvements and lead lives filled with hope, promise and purpose. Some, in fact, can achieve normal social and intellectual functioning. Despite these profound advances, parents and professionals still experience great difficulty in obtaining effective treatment for people with autism. Controversy over what constitutes effective treatment contributes to this difficulty.
Who Should Attend This Conference?
This conference is designed for parents, professionals, including speech and language pathologists, educators and anyone who has an interest in scientifically should information about autism and effective information.

I have attended previous conferences where these dynamic speakers have presented. They offer very practical,applicable information in a straight forward and understandable manner. We are extremely fortunate to have them together for this event.

Location: Mulgrave School, West Vancouver, BC
Cost:

Early Bird Registration (postmarked before February 25, 2005):
$75.00 for parents, students & non-professionals
$125.00 for professionals
(Please note that SLPs can receive CEU credits for attendance.)
Standard Registration (postmarked after February 25, 2005):
$90.00 for parents, students & non-professionals
$145.00 for professionals
(Please note that SLPs can receive CEU credits for attendance.)
The aim of this conference is to offer clearly articulated, science-based, state-of-the-art information on behavioral research in autism treatment and provide vital information on scientifically validated best practises in the treatment of autism.
Due to space constraints, walk-in registration can not be guaranteed. Download the registration form from http://www.autismbc.ca.

See you on March 12th!
Jean

[Mike & Jean]

Registration for the Newman, Gerenser, Freeman workshop will be available on-line by the end of this week. Anyone requiring immediate information regarding the workshop can email me at jean.lewis@telus.net.

Jean

[Mike & Jean]

The next F.E.A.T. of B.C. parent discussion meeting is on Monday, January 17, 2005.

Topic: "How to protect your child's treatment
funding."

Despite the soothing words from the elected politicians, MCFD bureaucrats and their newly appointed "emisaries of communication", that "nothing will change, our committment remains the same…." experience has taught many of us otherwise. Treatment funding, particularly individualized funding, could well be in jeopardy.

Come out and join the discussion. Get informed, learn about the history of this struggle and how your child's treatment funding actually came about. Get the unabridged, unedited and real truth about how it happened and most importantly what parents/advocates need to do to make sure it continues.

Once again, it's on Monday, January 17th at 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at St. Francis-in-the-Wood Anglican Church, West Vancouver. Download a map off this website.

This meeting is for ABA parents only.

Please email me at jean.lewis@telus.net to reserve a seat.

See you on the 17th.
Jean

[Mike & Jean]

We wish all our F.E.A.T. friends and families the joy and peace of Christmastime and renewed hope and faith in 2005!

Warmest Regards from,
The Lewis Family

[Mike & Jean]

Following is an excerpt from ACTBC's diatribe response to the recent F.E.A.T. of B.C.'s press release:

"While ACT understands that both ASBC and FEAT have experienced a stunning blow from the Supreme Court decision we call on ASBC and FEAT to re-assess their current focus on alleging conspiracies on the part of service providers and government bureaucrats."

The Supreme Court of Canada's decision is a "stunning loss" to 'all' Canadians affected with autism, not just the Autism Society of B.C. or F.E.A.T. of B.C. This is a "stunning choice of words" which reveals ACTBC's true purpose – to be the official MCFD "mouthpiece" for autism policy,and
not a "parent-based", membership supported organization, with a thirty year history.

As far as alleged conspiracies, I would encourage readers to cross reference the Provincial Governments Public Accounts publications with names found on the ACTBC website. No doubt as we proceed towards the May election more light will be shed on the 'conspiracy theories' by insightful and already curious journalists who have followed the exploits of MCFD with great interest.

Regards,
Jean

[Mike & Jean]

Attention all parents and professionals working with people with autism. F.E.A.T. of B.C. in partnership with the Autism Society of B.C. and the Association for Science in Autism Treatment – A.S.A.T. are pleased to announce a one day workshop to be held on Saturday, March 12, 2005.

Circle your calendars and book the day because this is going to be the first in a series of "must attend" workshops sponsored jointly by these three organizations.

Workshop title is: "Autism – What's Science got to do with it?" – integrating science-based interventions, including speech pathology into intensive behavioural treatment programs.

The presenters:

Sabrina Freeman Ph.D, a sociologist and the author of the popular book, "Teach Me Language", has been a tireless advocate for the rights of children with autism to science-based treatment since 1996. She founded the first autism advocacy movement in Canada – Families for Early Autism Treatment of B.C. – dedicated to providing universal access to medically necessary health care for children with autism. Dr. Freeman's intimate involvement in the litigation against the Government of British Columbia to secure autism treatment under Medicare (Auton vs. British Columbia), and her formal knowledge of the scientific method, give her a unique window on the latest chapter in the long running autism wars. She provides parents and professionals essential information on how to evaluate treatments and how to protect their children from harm. She sends a powerful message about the search for truth, and how that search is being distorted and corrupted by handsomely compensated "experts". Dr. Freeman's latest book, "Science for Sale in the Autism Wars" is the real-world story of a landmark legal battle between children with autism versus government and academic mercenaries. This book and it's author is a "front row seat" to the difficult struggle to provide children with medically necessary autism treatment.

Bobby Newman, Ph.D, BCBA
Dr. Bobby Newman is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and licensed psychologist. He is the Vice President and President-Elect of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment. He is a Past-President of the New York State Association for Behaviour Analysis and is on the adjunct faculty of Queens College. Bobby is the Director of Training and Research at the Association in the Metro area for Autistic Citizens (AMAC), and Supervising Psychologist for Effective Interventions Inc. His books include, Behaviorspeak, When Everybody Cares:Case Studies of ABA with People with Autism, Words From Those Who Care, Graduated Applied Behaviour Analysis, No Virtue in Accident and The Reluctant Alliance. He has consulted and designed programs for children and adults diagnosed with autistic-spectrum disorders all over the United States, Canada, Ireland and England. Dr. Newman has been honored for his work by several parents groups. This will be his second presentation in Vancouver. His presentation will be on the science which differentiates ABA from other therapies; the science which makes ABA uniquely effective treatment for autism.

Joanne E. Gerenser, MA, CCC-SLP
Joanne Gerenser is the Executive Director of the Eden 2 Programs in Staten Island, New York, an educational, residential and adult services program for individuals with autism and related disorders. Ms. Gerenser is a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She holds a Master's Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Clinical Certificate of Competency from the American Speech and Hearing Association. Ms. Gerenser lectures internationally on issues in autism and developmental disabilities. Her presentation will be: " How to Integrate Speech and Language Pathology with ABA to increase language in children with autism." Ms. Gerenser is a straight forward and dynamic presenter. Her focus is to provide speech pathologists with practical, applicable information to help children in ABA programs to increase their language.

What is ASAT? (Association for Science in Autism Treatment)

The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) is a national not-for-profit organization formed by a group of parents and professionals. ASAT's mission is to disseminate accurate, scientifically sound information about autism and treatments for autism, and to improve access to effective, science-based treatments for all people with autism regardless of age, severity of condition, income or place of residence. The ASAT Headquarters is in Great Neck, New York. Check out the high calibre of expertise who make up their board of directors and advisory board.

Why Should You Attend This Workshop?
Until recently autism was considered to be lifelong and severely incapacitating. However, scientific investigation has demonstrated that, with early, effective and validated intervention, individuals with autism can make significant improvements and lead lives filled with hope, promise and purpose. Some, in fact, can achieve normal social and intellectual functioning. Despite these profound advances, parents and professionals still experience great difficulty in obtaining effective treatment for people with autism. Controversy over what constitutes effective treatment and confusion surrounding the distinction between science and psuedo-science all contribute to this difficulty. The aim of this workshop is to offer clearly articulated, science-based, state-of-the-art information on behavioural research in autism treatment and provide vital information on scientically validated best practices in the treatment of autism.

Who Should Attend this Workshop?

This workshop is designed for parents, professionals including all speech language pathologists who work with children with autism, educators and anyone who has an interest in scientifically sound information about autism and effective intervention. ***speech pathologists can receive CEU credits for attendance.

In closing – This is a must-see workshop for everyone and anyone involved in autism. Once again, F.E.A.T. of B.C. presents this exceptionally high quality workshop at the most affordable price possible:

$75.00 for parents and non-professionals
$125.00 for professionals

March 12, 2005
Mulgrave School, West Vancouver, B.C.

As previously stated, this is the first of on-going, high calibre, state-of-the-art, science-based workshops which will provide parents and professionals with vital information on behavioural research and scientifically validated best practices in the treatment of autism – presented
by recognized leaders in the field.

The collaborative efforts of F.E.A.T. of B.C., The Autism Society of B.C. and the Association of Science in Autism Treatment will provide parents with the knowledge not only necessary to help their children, but to protect them from harm.

Registration information will be available by Jan. 4, 2005. Registration will be done by the Autism Society of B.C.

If you require information regarding this workshop prior to Jan. 4, 2005, please email me at jean.lewis@telus.net

Regards,
Jean Lewis,
Director, F.E.A.T. of B.C.

[Author]

Posts