[Jenny Obando]

Hi to Amy and Jonathan, I am the mom of a 4 year old boy with autism. I have in the works a support group that will be starting in the next month or so. I live in Maple Ridge and would be glad to help you in any way possible.
Fell free to contact me:
divedoc@telus.net or 220-6897
Jenny ( Tristen's mom)

[Jenny Obando]

Hello this message is for Michelle Karen,. Hi michelle I need to talk to you, can you or your husband please call me .466-9047
Thanks Jenny in Maple Ridge

[Jenny Obando]

Hello everyone, I have been reading with great interest, everything regarding ASBC and Feat and I felt the need to tell my experience with both groups.
When my son was first diagnosed a year ago, my first instinct was to call ASBC, they told me about their meetings in my community, and sent me a huge parent package that by the way said absolutely nothing about ABA. As if my son's diagnosis was not overwhelming enough they sent me this huge package.
My husband and I attended a meeting where I meet a parent who insisted I call her. She had, I now know, invaluable information. She is a member of feat and when I call her after contacting ASBC, and desperately asking them what else I could do for my son who was 3 at the time, they asked me if I had a social worker, which I did, they asked if we were receiving OT and SLT, wich we were.A whole two hours a month. ASBC went on to tell me that I should feel proud of myself that I was doing everything there was to do for my son. Relax. After all my son was on a 1 1/2 year waiting list for sunny hill, and the Laurel Group, the lady at ASBC, said I was doing everything possible.
That was when I called this parent I had meet at ASBC meeting who for some reason was very interested in talking to me. I call her and she put me in contact with Sabrina and Feat, and thanks to them is that since last October my son has been in an ABA program. Thanks M K.
So now that I told my story here is my point, Autism society was the firt place I though of going when my son was diagnosed,I wonder how many families have done just that, and have not been as lucky as I was to find a parent that truly cared. This parent was not been paid or did not gain anything by giving all the info she did, if anything I was taking away time that she could have spend with her family, the same goes for Sabrina who spend two hours on the phone with my husband and I to answer the billions of questions we had.

The truth is ASBC is not doing what they should, their first priority should be the children, their well being and to provide support for the families. Where ASBC has been usefull for me is as a library, that's it, even when I was looking for volunteers to come and work with my son doing ABA, ASBC said that their funding was cut off in that department and they could not help.
But to put all this packages for the government they sure seem to have the funds and man power to do it.

I received a call from a parent of a now 12year old boy who was diagnosed when he was 3. She saw my advertising in the paper looking for ABA therapist . She phoned because she is at her wits end and wanted to know about this "new" therapy called ABA.

After I explained to her about ABA, and that it was not so knew as she tough. She told me urgentely:"you should contact ASBC and MFCF, and let them know".
It infuriates me to no end to know that her son, and God only knows how many more could have been helped, this is where this two entities have failed miserably.

Autism society should be ashamed of the poor job they have been doing, and they should be held acountable for not disclosing vital information for families. I know ABA does not work the same in all children, and not all children will loose their diagnosis, but not all children that received chemotherapy will survive either, that doesn't meant they go without.

Autism society should feel privileged to have parents that are willing to come and be a part of a board and society that has a lot of work and a lot of soul searching to do. Instead they seem afraid of change and new blood, or perphaps afraid of parents that their one and only concerns are the children, and not the hand outs the government has .

I truly hope that with this new members things would start to improve. Where all parents of autistic children will feel welcome at Autism society meetings and not outcast because you are doing an ABA program, which is the welcome I got after starting my son's ABA program.
They went as far as shutting the door in my face literally, but that is another story.

As I often say, I am the parent that does not goes away, and will not take no for an answer.
Keep up the fight for ALL our children.

Jenny( Tristen's mom)

[Jenny Obando]

Hello everyone, I have been reading with great interest, everything regarding ASBC and Feat and I felt the need to tell my experience with both groups.
When my son was first diagnosed a year ago, my first instinct was to call ASBC, they told me about their meetings in my community, and sent me a huge parent package that by the way said absolutely nothing about ABA. As if my son's diagnosis was not overwhelming enough they sent me this huge package.
My husband and I attended a meeting where I meet a parent who insisted I call her. She had, I now know, invaluable information. She is a member of feat and when I call her after contacting ASBC, and desperately asking them what else I could do for my son who was 3 at the time, they asked me if I had a social worker, which I did, they asked if we were receiving OT and SLT, wich we were.A whole two hours a month. ASBC went on to tell me that I should feel proud of myself that I was doing everything there was to do for my son. Relax. After all my son was on a 1 1/2 year waiting list for sunny hill, and the Laurel Group, the lady at ASBC, said I was doing everything possible.
That was when I called this parent I had meet at ASBC meeting who for some reason was very interested in talking to me. I call her and she put me in contact with Sabrina and Feat, and thanks to them is that since last October my son has been in an ABA program. Thanks M K.
So now that I told my story here is my point, Autism society was the firt place I though of going when my son was diagnosed,I wonder how many families have done just that, and have not been as lucky as I was to find a parent that truly cared. This parent was not been paid or did not gain anything by giving all the info she did, if anything I was taking away time that she could have spend with her family, the same goes for Sabrina who spend two hours on the phone with my husband and I to answer the billions of questions we had.

The truth is ASBC is not doing what they should, their first priority should be the children, their well being and to provide support for the families. Where ASBC has been usefull for me is as a library, that's it, even when I was looking for volunteers to come and work with my son doing ABA, ASBC said that their funding was cut off in that department and they could not help.
But to put all this packages for the government they sure seem to have the funds and man power to do it.

I received a call from a parent of a now 12year old boy who was diagnosed when he was 3. She saw my advertising in the paper looking for ABA therapist . She phoned because she is at her wits end and wanted to know about this "new" therapy called ABA.

After I explained to her about ABA, and that it was not so knew as she tough. She told me urgentely:"you should contact ASBC and MFCF, and let them know".
It infuriates me to no end to know that her son, and God only knows how many more could have been helped, this is where this two entities have failed miserably.

Autism society should be ashamed of the poor job they have been doing, and they should be held acountable for not disclosing vital information for families. I know ABA does not work the same in all children, and not all children will loose their diagnosis, but not all children that received chemotherapy will survive either, that doesn't meant they go without.

Autism society should feel privileged to have parents that are willing to come and be a part of a board and society that has a lot of work and a lot of soul searching to do. Instead they seem afraid of change and new blood, or perphaps afraid of parents that their one and only concerns are the children, and not the hand outs the government has .

I truly hope that with this new members things would start to improve. Where all parents of autistic children will feel welcome at Autism society meetings and not outcast because you are doing an ABA program, which is the welcome I got after starting my son's ABA program.
They went as far as shutting the door in my face literally, but that is another story.

As I said often say, I am the parent that does not goes away, and will not take no for an answer.
Keep up the fight for ALL our children.

Jenny( Tristen's mom)

[Jenny Obando]

Hello everyone, the following information is a webcast that will take place in October of this year, the contact is (416) 540-4500 or visit the Geneba Centre website: http://www.autism.net, I thought maybe this would be of some interest, the cost I believe is $200 for two days and early registration is June 28th ,not alot of notice but I just come across it today.

DAY ONE
Thursday, October 24, 2002 from 8:45 EST – 10:30 EST
1) "The Autism Epidemic?"
An International Perspective on Changes in the Prevalence of Autism
Dr. Gillberg will describe the changing view of autism in recent decades as a basis for explaining the perceived increase in prevalence in recent years. He will focus on the epidemiological studies of autism, Asperger's Disorder and other Autism Spectrum Disorders and the notion of a link between MMR vaccination and autism. Dr. Scott will focus on recent and ongoing research at the Cambridge University exploring the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in primary school age children (5-11 years). Dramatic findings reflect an incidence of classical autism at 1 in 175 births. Dr. Byrd will present findings from the Edpidemiology of Autism in California study, the completion date of which is slated for June 2002.

Moderator:
Dr. Marie Bristol-Power, New Jersey, USA

Panelists:
Dr. Christopher Gillberg, Göteborg, Sweden
Dr. Fiona Scott, Cambridge, England
Dr. Robert Byrd, California, USA

Thursday, October 24, 2002 from 11:00 EST – 12:30 EST
2) A Mother and Daughter Presentation Part I: "The Way We Were"
The first time they have ever presented together, Temple and Eustacia will describe their personal memories and pivotal experiences as a mother, a family and a child with autism.

Dr. Temple Grandin, Colorado, USA, and her mother Eustacia Cutler, New York, USA

Thursday, October 24, 2002 from 1:30 EST – 3:00 EST
3) "Healthy Sexuality": Adaptive Skills for Individuals with Asperger's Disorder

Isabelle Hénault, Quebec, Canada

Thursday, October 24, 2002 from 3:30 EST – 5:00 EST
4) "Walk a Mile In My Shoes": A Panel of People with Autism

Sean Barron, Ohio, USA

Geoffrey McLarney, Ontario, Canada

Heather Romanek, Ontario, Canada

Zoran Susnjar, Ontario, Canada

DAY TWO
Friday, October 25, 2002 from 8:30 EST – 10:00 EST
5) Autism in the Classroom: Adapting Teaching Techniques and Integrating Specialized Approches
Dr. Jordan will explore issues specific to the education of children with autism focusing on the notion of education as treatment, inclusion and integration as well as adapting teaching techniques to meet individual needs and integrating specialized approaches in the classroom.

Dr. Rita Jordan, London, England

Friday, October 25, 2002 from 10:30 EST – 12:00 EST
6) Asperger's Disorder: A Different Learning Style – Guidelines for Intervention
Understanding the unique learning style of individuals with Asperger's Disorder provides insight into specific types of intervention that accommodate these needs. Dr. Klin will outline a guide to 9 key interventions.

Dr. Ami Klin, Connecticut, USA

Friday, October 25, 2002 from 1:30 EST – 3:00 EST
7) Deciphering the Puzzle: Brain Differences in Autism
Dr. Courchesne's neurobiological research on autism provides a valuable understanding of how the brain development is affected in autistic 2 to 4 years old and what that means for intervention.

Dr. Eric Courchesne, California, USA

Friday, October 25, 2002 from 3:30 EST – 4:30 EST
8) A Mother and Daughter Presentation Part II: "Reaching Out of Autism"
A story of remarkable achievements that continued from childhood to adulthood. Clara will convey the lessons her daughter has learned and taught. Jessy will be "interviewed" by her mother Clara. Jessy's responses will be enlightening and possibly unpredictable. Anything she says will illustrate where she is now and how far she has come. A visual presentation of Jessy's remarkable paintings and an audience question & answer period will follow.

Clara Claiborne Park and Jessy Park, Massachusetts, USA

I hope this info is useful to someone.
Jenny ( Tristen's mom)

[Jenny Obando]

Hello again.
I wanted to know if anyone out there can suggest a good account who is familiar with preparing income tax returns for families running ABA programs and have a disability claim

Thanks Jenny

[Jenny Obando]

On a happier note. We just moved which has been a little hard on our son, but it sure change the other day when he was out side playing on the deck, when I heard the kid next door ask my son:What's your name? , I stop breathing in anticipation of his response , since we have been trying to teach him his name for about 3 months,then I heard this voice : Tristen, Tristen Worobey . I jump higher than when Canada won the gold in hockey.

Keep up the good work , and don't give up!
Jenny (Praud mom of Tristen,Tristen Worobey)

[Jenny Obando]

Regarding this kindergarden money. My son was going to receive some funding and since he is only 3 I was told this was an exception , so that it was up to me who I told.
They could not tigh my hands behind my back , but just to beware, hint.

Strangely enough I get this call from a "parent",and the first thing I hear when I answer the phone was: "did you get funding", my first reaction was ,who the hell are you and why are you calling me, after a few minutes of conversation and an interrogation this "parent",goes on about horse riding therapy, whatever .

Then it gets better. My social worker calls me a few days later and says we will not be getting the funding I was promised ,coincidence,perhaps. So for the "parents" , out there asking all this questions about funding and where and how and who is getting it, the least you can do is sign your name to your message .
Jenny

[Jenny Obando]

Regarding this kindergarden money. My son was going to receive some funding and since he is only 3 I was told this was an exception , so that it was up to me who I told.
They could not tigh my hands behind my back , but just to beware, hint.

Strangely enough I get this call from a "parent",and the first thing I hear when I answer the phone was: "did you get funding", my first reaction was ,who the hell are you and why are you calling me, after a few minutes of conversation and an interrogation this "parent",goes on about horse riding therapy, whatever .

Then it gets better. My social worker calls me a few days later and says we will not be getting the funding I was promised ,coincidence,perhaps. So for the "parents" , out there asking all this questions about funding and where and how and who is getting it, the least you can do is sign your name to your message .

[Jenny Obando]

I have been reading with great interest the last few days about the conference on February 2nd .
I was at the conference and would like to add my opinion.
Specificly about speaker# 2. If I remember correctly one of the first things she said was: "ABA therapy is your first line of defence against autism",and although she experimented with diets and chellation, which she said one would need a Dr to try chellation and that chellation was not to be done on your own as it had it's risks. At no time do I remember her saying to stop ABA, as a matter of fact she said it wasn't until 3 years after she had first heard of the diet that she actually started cheking into it.

I realized as a new parent of an autistic child that we do get desperated and we all want a magic cure and that we don'g have the experience which makes me wonder if this other parents that so strongly oppose to a diet or vitamin treatment and that are more experience in autism , how experience are they in this other methods ,?have they tried it ?, and if they have how do they know it will not help another child at all ?, specially since we all know there are not two children with autism that are the same . I also realized that ABA is our best chance, not the cheapest or the easiest .
At the same time I think is important to bring awarenes to this other aids, yes they are not scientificly proven to work, but why not allow parents to inform themselves and they can decide on their own .
When my children are sick the first thing I do is taking them to the Dr and buy the prescription , but I also look in the pharmacy for a decongestant and some tylenol and just because this other aids seem to be working , that does't meant I stop the antibiotics .

I hope that my opinion does not offend anyone as that was not my intention, my intention was simply to share other point of view.
Thank you Jenny (Tristen'mom)

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