[Cory McLaughlin]

We are looking for "Listening Lotto". Does
anyone know where to buy or order this product?
Contact me directly at
gmclaug@netrover.c
a or
through this board.

Thanks!

Cory McLaughlin
Liam's Mom

[Cory McLaughlin]

We are in the process of dealing with CUPE
too. We tried the medically-necessary
treatment argument but had no luck. It
appears that each Local has certain elements
of their contract that are independently
negotiated. The Local that we deal with has
declared, "It is the Union's position that the
class specification for a Special Education
Assistant does not require the above
[ABA/Lovaas] training experience." I want to
know why CUPE is making educational
decisions for MY SON? The school boards (in
directing the superintendent) DO have the
authority to override contracts but then they
face grievances and arbitration. They are
often sympathetic but do not seem to want to
take on this issue.

We have been in this battle for 18 months
now. Our son just entered grade one.

If anyone has other ideas or just moral
support, I think that all of us could use it about
now. Two weeks in to the school year and the
battles have just begun.

[Cory McLaughlin]

My understanding is that Project Good Start is
a Surrey-based program to assist SEAs in
learning about autism. It involves (or it did last
year) your child staying home for half a day for
about eight weeks so that district SEAs can
receive general group training. Parents are
invited to one session and I believe the
teachers are included in one or two as well.
Each week has a different topic. The district
special education helping teachers organize
this program. It is not about ABA training!
Please do not think this will train an SEA in
ABA – it does not.

[Cory McLaughlin]

This message is for any parents who have
children in the Surrey School District (#36).

We are tired of fighting as individuals to get an
ABA-Lovaas qualified/trained/experienced SEA
for our son. Our goal is to ensure that families
who wish to have ABA-Lovaas qualified SEAs
are able to do so without being blocked by
CUPE, management, etc. If you are interested
in putting pressure on the district collectively
then call (604-576-0420) or email us
(gmclaug@netr
over.com).

Cory and Gary McLaughlin
Liam's parents

[Cory McLaughlin]

Well, it has certainly been an interesting 24
hours on the chatboard.

First, I apologize if I have violated any
chatboard rules. My intent was merely to
share an idea about what MY FAMILY AND
FRIENDS chose to do to try to bring an issue
to our MLA's attention. I believe I stated in my
original post that it was "just a thought"… I
respect diversity amongst this group and
recognize our common goal is for the children.

Secondly, no, Dave, I won't shut up. I have
spent the past year fighting for my son with the
local school district for rights – and won on
some issues because I did NOT shut up. I
have also managed to secure some
government funding for my son because I did
NOT shut up.

As far as I'm concerned this topic is closed for
me but I'm sure others have things to say…

Cory McLaughlin
Liam's Mom

[Cory McLaughlin]

Hello everyone,

Thought I'd pass along a possible idea for
those of you pondering the current
referendum. Obviously everyone will do as
they see fit but this was a form of protest that
my husband and I, and now several other
friends and family members, have chosen to
try to voice our displeasure with the Liberal
government.

We are returning our unmarked ballots to our
local MLA (Kevin Falcon of Cloverdale) with an
accompanying letter. This letter condemns
the spending of millions of dollars on this
referendum instead of keeping a promise to
help autistic children with ABA-Lovaas therapy.

Like I said, just a thought, and by no means
pressure…we simply wanted the government
to know that we will not believe one word or
support the Liberals again.

Cory and Gary McLaughlin
Liam's Mom and Dad

[Cory McLaughlin]

Hi – we need some help! Our son, Liam,
entered kindergarten in September. We
began asking for an ABA SEA last May and
here we are in November, no closer but much
more frustrated. We've been trying to work
with Liam's school district (36 – Surrey) to
secure a properly trained ABA SEA. Yes, they
do exist but CUPE maintains that seniority is
more important than the education of a child.
We've reached the point of no return and are in
the beginning stages of legal action. If any of
you have successfully manoeuvred the school
system by either threatening legal action or
actually having to go further could you please
contact me at 604-576-0420 or at
gmclaug@intou
ch.bc.ca. The great irony here
is that both Gary and I are teachers in Surrey
and have had access to everyone possible in
order to state Liam's case. It just keeps
coming back to CUPE. I'd really appreciate
hearing from anyone with info. Thanks.

[Cory McLaughlin]

Kevin Falcon, Liberal hopeful for
Surrey-Cloverdale just returned my call re funding
Lovaas Therapy for our children. He was very
supportive, both listening and asking relevant
questions. He assured me that he believed in
"our" cause and wanted to help. He also believes
that Gordon Campbell feels the same based on
Liberal meetings they have attended together. Let
me assure you that I am aware of the politicking
going on here but I also feel comforted that
Falcon returned my call. He also wants me to
contact him immediately if(when) he is successful
after this election so we can determine what he
should do exactly. My concern in this riding is
that incumbent (former Liberal) MLA Bonnie
McKinnon (now running as an independent) may split
the vote. So to those of you in the area, get out
and let your friends and family know the
situation. I have never been a political person
but given the cause we have now – WOW! Good luck
in your own personal but public campaigns!
Cory McLaughlin
Liam's Mom

[Cory McLaughlin]

We work in the school system, we are
'caring,conscientious educators' and we did not
hear or know of the details of the Bill Good Show.
We as schoolteachers are being crushed under the
yoke of incredibly large class loads – can you add
up 33 students times 4 this semester? – and
increased workload and expectations from the top
all the way to the bottom. We're not aware of the
settlement or contract proposal to which Mr. Chan
refers to but we can only guess that it involves
decreasing class sizes at the expense of other
services. The school boards traditonally warn that
this will surely be the case if they are not
allowed to max out classes to the limits or
beyond; which, we might add,they are already
doing.
It is obscene in the worst to think that boards
would cut back services to those who need it the
most but don't bet against it as it happens with
or without contract controversies.
Class size is a real problem and it needs to be
addressed and not at the expense of anyone's
programs, be they special needs or whatever.
How long can the system keep 'caring and
conscientious' educators if they are burning us
out!
And, we might add, we have our own vested interest
in keeping and/or adding critically needed special
needs programs as our son is autistic and will
surely need all the help he can possibly get as he
enters kindergarten next September.
The point of this reply is to inform you and
others that not all those educators that argue
that class size is a serious issue are not
necessarily whining, money grubbing, lazy
unionists or whatever.
Class size limits and universal access to programs
for all special needs children do not have to
conflict or be divisible. There surely is both the
room and the money – perhaps some of the juicy
profits of both B.C. Hydro and I.C.B.C of late? –
to accomodate both.
We remain caring and conscientious and concerned
for our son, others like him and for the hundreds
and thousands of kids we also teach in our very
crowded and increasingly stressful classrooms.
Sincerely,
Gary and Cory McLaughlin
Schoolteachers and

[Author]

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