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David and Barbara McLeod
MemberJOB OPPORTUNITY
The Position: Full time live-in roommate to provide support/care for a 20 year old autistic young man.
Description: The successful applicant will live in a furnished and equipped upscale Qualicum Beach condo while supporting a very active, easy going young man. Although this special needs person is under the care/supervision of others for approximately 30 hours a week, this job is to be considered as a full time responsibility. This young man has acquired necessary self-care skills, and many daily living and community skills. Support is necessary for judgment, planning his schedule and learning new skills.
Compensation: Compensation details available upon request. As well as 30 hours a week of other support, the roommate will also receive significant respite opportunities and other time off as part of a commitment from the young man's family. The successful person(s) will pay rent (highly subsidized) and hydro. A reliable vehicle is required and a transportation allowance is also included.
Desirable Attributes Include: A person with an active lifestyle who is willing to share that life style with a calm, active but dependent young man. Some "homemaking" skills such as cooking, cleaning and the daily organizational living needs of running a home. An openness and interest in learning, as significant paid training will be provided leading up to and following the actual move in date.
This position is open to a single male/female or a couple. A three year commitment is most desirable as the supervising Society involved will provide a thorough training and support package to the selected applicant.
Start Date: Flexible and to be determined by applicant availability and training needs.
For more information: Please contact by submitting a covering letter with resume to:
davemcleod@shaw.caMemberYES!! That is terrific news and the right decision for sure. Many, many thanks to all of you for your commitment to fight for families every step of the way.
Why the age limits is beyond me but it is a foot in that very thick and heavy door.
And yes, Barbara, post 19 is a whole other topic. Thank goodness for the experience and skills we have learned along the way. Sending strength and positive energy to your family.
MemberFEAT Friends,
The beauty of ABA is that it universally responds to all of the 'issues' our children have. Through ABA our kids learn to overcome feeding challenges, to tolerate hair cuts, to go to the dentist, to tie their shoelaces, to toilet, to shower, to rollerblade, to ride a bike, to play the piano, to play board games with peers, to make their beds, to brush their teeth, to read, to write, to produce power points, to order in a restaurant, to do math, to play Wii, to swim, to reduce negative / destructive behaviours, to run a 10 km race, to…. You fill in the blanks.
A skilled consultant sees all issues as behaviours (B), analyses it (A) and designs/applies (A) a program specific to your child to systematically work on each and everyone of them. (ABA) Brick by brick… regardless of your child's level of functioning. It works!!!
When folks tell you that other things work, too, you ask them to show you the data. When they say that ABA doesn't work for all kids – high functioning, low functioning, kids with language, kids with no language… you tell them it surely does. If it doesn't, the programming isn't appropriate. If it doesn't, the tutors aren't keeping data, aren't doing it right, aren't reinforcing appropriately, aren't adjusting as required.
Our 'severely' autistic 17 year old son, has learned to do all of the above and is a pleasant, loving, easy to be with, young man who, despite his very limited oral communication skills, is welcome in every class at his school. Because of ABA. Is it hard? You bet. Does it work? Absolutely.
"What's wrong with these kids?" Not helpful. Good teaching based on ABA principles works. To those folks I say lead, follow or get out of the way.
Barbara
MemberHello New Featers
My heart aches reading your posts. It does bring back strong emotions from our original struggles with all things Autism. Thanks to FEAT, Auton, Hewko, MFAN and all the wonderful parents and professionals we have met along the way, we still have the strength to stay the course.
Our son was diagnosed at age 2; he is 17 now. While I was hopeful that he would be a 'recovered' child, we are still working hard every day. Because of ABA, trained school support and the many amazing people who have worked with him over the years, he is a loving, easy going, likeable young man with many abilities. And yes, there are challenges – lots of them – but as Dr. Davies told us at our last assessment, Alex has accomplished so much because of intervention. I can't imagine what his life would be like at this point without it.
The feeding issues stories ring a particular bell. As you can see by the posts, you are definitely not alone!! Jean Lewis and I attended a workshop on Feeding Issues at a FEAT conference 15 years ago in a packed venue. It comes with the territory! It IS a behavioural issue and like all things ABA needs to be approached in exactly the same way. Get your consultant to help design a program for your child, too. Brick by brick, positive reinforcement and holding out longer than your child are all key components. It often takes someone else to make the first breakthroughs though. It is too hard for a parent to watch their child not eat. Don't try to do it alone. This would definitely be a good topic for a support group meeting.
Hang in there. It does get so much better.
Barb McLeod
MemberHi Everyone,
Please do plan on attending Sunday's rally. A while ago there was a question about the rally being 'preaching to the choir'. Please know that the choir is going to include media who will get our message out to a far wider range of folks than a sign held up on a bridge or overpass. As well, attending an event with many others who believe in what we are doing, who live everyday with the same issues as we do and who are prepared to stand up and be counted, is both encouraging and motivating.
For many of us, who have been at this for more than ten years now, the support of other families gave us the courage to look for real treatment rather than respite for our kids. When we risked financial ruin to provide that treatment, to fight the government in court for funding and for ABA access in schools, it was families standing together against bureaucracy and status quo. When we had to fight for every consideration, there was more fire in our bellies. By providing some money to families, the government has managed to buy the silence of many. It will take that original 'pioneer' resolve, commitment and passion to maintain the fight for Medicare for Autism Treatment.
As previous posts have so eloquently stated – it is time to put aside our treatment debates, see the 'choice' options of government for what they are and stand together for Medicare for Autism Treatment.
Come and hear from some of the many committed professionals and parents who continue to fight access to treatment for all children regardless of parents' ability to pay. Bring your neighbours and friends who signed the petitions we sent to so many MPs that motivated the National Autism Strategy Bill.
Autism Treatment is "our children's right and our solemn obligation."
See you there!
MemberHi Michelle,
I haven't any scientific studies to share with you on this, but we have been a 'no no prompt' family from the beginning. While we do many fewer drills as such at this point in our program, the informational 'no' remains a very powerful tool in our repertoire. A 'no', delivered in a very matter of fact way, isn't negative at all to Alex and is definitely a sign to 'tune in'. It is my belief that it is easier to teach to new folks as well.
Just my two cents.
MemberHi Michelle,
I haven't any scientific studies to share with you on this, but we have been a 'no no prompt' family from the beginning. While we do many fewer drills as such at this point in our program, the informational 'no' remains a very powerful tool in our repertoire. A 'no', delivered in a very matter of fact way, isn't negative at all to Alex and is definitely a sign to 'tune in'. It is my belief that it is easier to teach to new folks as well.
Just my two cents.
MemberAutism Conference Cancelled
Hi Folks,
Ièm very sorry to have to inform you that the Autism Conference scheduled for August 21-23 at Malaspina in Nanaimo has been cancelled due to low enrolment. I am hoping that we can get Drs. Mulick and Villone to agree to separate sessions at a later date during the school year.
Stay tuned.
MemberAutism Conference Cancelled
Hi Folks,
Ièm very sorry to have to inform you that the Autism Conference scheduled for August 21-23 at Malaspina in Nanaimo has been cancelled due to low enrolment. I am hoping that we can get Drs. Mulick and Villone to agree to separate sessions at a later date during the school year.
Stay tuned.
MemberHello FEAT friends,
RE: The Autism Conference that Sabrina just posted.
It has come to my attention that some of the school districts do not send out all of the conference information that is forwarded to them. We really want to reach as many folks as possible – having such high caliber presenters so close to home doesn't happen often.
I am hoping that you will make a copy of the brochure and take it to your Director of Special Ed in person and ask them to forward it to all of the schools in your district. A copy to your school administrator / teacher / TA would be great as well. Perhaps the district will pay for your teacher and/or TA to attend!
If you are in discussions with your district about how important it is to match your home and school programs, delivered by a trained TA, why not talk to your district folk about heading over to hear the information first hand.
Please spread the word!
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