[Lis Louwrier]

Hello Tony

I am writing to you because I read your post and felt so much sadness and anger for you.

The road we travel when are our children are diagnosed with autism is hard enough but we don't need extra detours along the way. My husband and I encountered these detours when we started our son's program. We were polite for the sake of others when we did not have to. I am not sure how much our son was affected by our unfortunate politeness but we soon realized that it had to stop. Anyone who makes a comment about how we do things has the luxury of walking away. But we parents stay and we fight for our children. The decision handed down by the Supreme Court cemented in my mind that my husband and I cannot wait or trust so easily that others will do what is right for our son. We have been blessed that many families before have paved the way to make the fight somewhat easier but it is not over.

You are lucky if you have meetings you can attend on the mainland. Please go to them. Meet others who will make you feel proud of what you are doing. You deserve it. When we started, we had moved to a new country, found out our child had autism, had to find a house and start a program. The so called professionals gave us no unbiased info on Lovaas treatment and I was even told that ABA was no fun and that marriages split up because of it. On top of that my husband was travelling many hours and we did not know anyone. To our fortune my husband and I met 2 FEAT families here on the island and they, along with my son's hard-working therapists and have been our steadfast and constant companions. We created something from nothing, a family of our own liking so to speak and closed the doors on those who had no interest in supporting our decision. These individuals have helped us on many levels and pushed us forward on days when we thought it was too hard. For that I am eternally grateful and my son has a good life for it. 20 months into our program I am rejoicing for the choice we made and I don't hide anymore. I am honest about Lovaas treatment as the only scientifically-proven treatment and I explain what we do to those that are genuinely interested. Those who interfere thinking that they know better are simply told no thanks. For our son, time is precious and we can ill-afford the consequences of politeness anymore.

I wish you only good things and I hope you find your way through it all.

Lis
Ryan's Mom 4-1/2 years old.

[Lis Louwrier]

Hello all,

This is the letter Ariel sent to the Times Colonist. I don't know whether it will be published.

Lisbeth Louwrier
Victoria

RE: "Treatment for autism not a right", Nov. 20

As a parent of an autistic child, currently in his 2nd year of ABA Lovaas treatment, I continue to be amazed by his progress. We opted out of the Provincial Program to carry out a home-based Lovaas therapy in 2003. As a scientist with 15 years in the biotechnology industry, pharma and academia, I was able to access and read some of the countless peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals as well as the Lovaas study (1987), which is now well established. There are accountable measurables; as a method, evolution and a maturation in the sophistication of how it is applied today. Our US consultant is extraordinary in her elegant application of this knowledge. Simply put, the method works. 40 hours of weekly early intervention is best practice. The literature, neutral and peer-reviewed without relevance to special interest groups shows this without question. Surely we should aim for best practice, would anyone want treatment from a dentist to conduct a bone-marrow transplant?

Is the financial cost for treatment really that high? Logic dictates that the cost of inaction will be very much higher – for children and taxpayers. To paraphrase Edmund Burke “the only thing necessary for autism to prevail is for good people to do nothing”. With autism currently affecting 0.5% of all newborn children and rising at roughly 4% per year due to what can only be environmental effects, I am not sure we have a choice.

[Lis Louwrier]

There are no words that could express the deep gratitude I feel towards those who have fought in this long battle. I wish to thank you for fighting for the funding my child has received and benefited from. He has an opportunity to break free from the solitude of autism as a result of your struggles. I believe that one day he will ask me what he should be when he grows up and I will say "good and decent" like the Auton's, Freeman's, and all who know what it means to be part of this earth not simply an occupant of it.

Thank you.
Lisbeth Louwrier (Ryan's mom)

[Lis Louwrier]

Dear All

This message comes later than it should but I want to say that I attended Lisa Wincz's ABA workshop on Vancouver Island (May 8) and it was excellent. Everyone in the audience received a lot of important and valuable information. The fact that she does these workshops for free is amazing for anyone who has or works with an autistic child.

Thanks to F.E.A.T. of BC for helping my family when our child was diagnosed over a year ago. The information we have received has always been right on the mark and scientifically solid. The money would not be available were it not for all those families who paved the way forward for us. I think there are no words to express our sincere thanks. Our son has a better life for all your hard work and tears.

All the best and a safe and healthy summer.
Lis Louwrier
Ryan's mom (age 4)

[Lis Louwrier]

Hello all.

I am trying to purchase photo sequence cards: 3-5 cards per story. I understand LDA produces these cards but I wanted to know if these can be purchased within BC or if anyone knows of a second hand source to purchase from.

Thanks a bunch and have a wonderful summer.
Lis Louwrier
Ryan's mom (age 4)

[Lis Louwrier]

Hello all:

This is a reminder about the upcoming F.E.A.T. workshop on Vancouver Island presented by Lisa Wincz on May 8. Lisa is a wonderful speaker and consultant. It is a great opportunity for the island.

Thanks
Lisbeth Louwrier

AUTISM, ABA AND SCHOOLS: WEAVING IT ALL TOGETHER

The Vancouver Island Chapter of FEAT of BC is pleased to
announce a 1 day workshop on ABA and the school system. The
purpose of this workshop is to better prepare individuals
involved with autistic children in the school system (or
entering the schools) who have benefitted from early
intervention using ABA (Lovaas) principles.

This workshop will discuss autism and ABA therapy but will
focus primarily on the school system.

Who can benefit from this workshop:

-Parents
-Special Education Assistants
-Classroom teachers
-Integration support teachers
-Speech pathologists
-ABA therapists/behavioural interventionists
-Consultants
-Other professionals and paraprofessionals who work with
children with autism

This workshop will be presented by Lisa Wincz, Director of
Academic and Behavioural Consultation Services of Canada
(ABC's). Ms. Wincz holds a Masters Degree in Behavioural
Psychology and has 17 years of experience in ABA (Lovaas)
therapy. She designs and monitors behavioural programs for
children with autism, PDD, and related disorders in BC and
the US.

Date: May 8, 2004
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: University of Victoria
Fee: $30.00

This is an exciting opportunity for Islanders and early
registration is advised.

For more information visit:
http://www.featbc.org/downloads/aba_in_school.pdf

[Lis Louwrier]

AUTISM, ABA AND SCHOOLS: WEAVING IT ALL TOGETHER

The Vancouver Island Chapter of FEAT of BC is pleased to announce a 1 day workshop on ABA and the school system. The purpose of this workshop is to better prepare individuals involved with autistic children in the school system (or entering the schools) who have benefitted from early intervention using ABA (Lovaas) principles.

This workshop will discuss autism and ABA therapy but will focus primarily on the school system.

Who can benefit from this workshop:

-Parents
-Special Education Assistants
-Classroom teachers
-Integration support teachers
-Speech pathologists
-ABA therapists/behavioural interventionists
-Consultants
-Other professionals and paraprofessionals who work with children with autism

This workshop will be presented by Lisa Wincz, Director of Academic and Behavioural Consultation Services of Canada (ABC's). Ms. Wincz holds a Masters Degree in Behavioural Psychology and has 17 years of experience in ABA (Lovaas) therapy. She designs and monitors behavioural programs for children with autism, PDD, and related disorders in BC and the US.

Date: May 8, 2004
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: University of Victoria
Fee: $30.00

This is an exciting opportunity for Islanders and early registration is advised.

For more information visit: http://www.featbc.org/downloads/aba_in_school.pdf

[Lis Louwrier]

AUTISM, ABA AND SCHOOLS: WEAVING IT ALL TOGETHER

The Vancouver Island Chapter of FEAT of BC is pleased to announce a 1 day workshop on ABA and the school system. The purpose of this workshop is to better prepare individuals involved with autistic children in the school system (or entering the schools) who have benefitted from early intervention using ABA (Lovaas) principles.

This workshop will discuss autism and ABA therapy but will focus primarily on the school system.

Who can benefit from this workshop:

-Parents
-Special Education Assistants
-Classroom teachers
-Integration support teachers
-Speech pathologists
-ABA therapists/behavioural interventionists
-Consultants
-Other professionals and paraprofessionals who work with children with autism

This workshop will be presented by Lisa Wincz, Director of Academic and Behavioural Consultation Services of Canada (ABC's). Ms. Wincz holds a Masters Degree in Behavioural Psychology and has 17 years of experience in ABA (Lovaas) therapy. She designs and monitors behavioural programs for children with autism, PDD, and related disorders in BC and the US.

Date: May 8, 2004
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: University of Victoria
Fee: $30.00

This is an exciting opportunity for Islanders and early registration is advised.

For more information visit: http://www.featbc.org/downloads/aba_in_school.pdf

[Lis Louwrier]

Dear Sabrina

My husband and I just listened to your radio interview with Bill Good. Thank you very much for bringing this information to the public. Hopefully it will be heard by parents of young children with autism. It is terribly important information which needs to be heard. A big thanks as well to you and other experienced parents for listening and advising 10 months ago when our son received his diagnosis. Your dedication is simply amazing.

Lisbeth
Ryan's mom

[Lis Louwrier]

Dear Barbara

Your post made me cry. The eloquence with which you write is quite special. Your words are very comforting for new parents who do not know if they are doing all they can for their child. My own child has been in his program for 7 months and it it too early to tell what will happen. I too see my own husband working very long hours and doing very little for himself so that our child will have all he needs. And yet, when I think about recovery, I worry about all the things we need to be doing to make Ryan's program the best. Sometimes it is too much to take in. But this is not about us as the parents, therapists, etc, it is about our children. All we can do is help them.

Our son's gains to this point have been incredible to observe but we realize that none if it would happen without Ryan's hard work. It breaks our heart when we see him working hard at all the things that his little friends pick up as part of normal life but the fact that he has to work for it and they don't makes it no less precious. We all love our kids but the reality of this diagnosis is that it takes hard work to overcome the obstacles we are faced with. And the child with autism is the one that works the most.

Thank you once again.
Lisbeth
Ryan's mom (age 3-1/2)

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