[Barbara Rodrigues]

Justin:

Could you post or email your private email joe_rodrigues@telus.net- I have the emails of the NDP MP's for you.

Thanks for the info on the papers – if someone could let us know up here in the Okanagan when a good story/letter comes out so we can pick it up that would be great.

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Wow! Great great interview on CKNW Sabrina. You did an amazing job of getting the story out – Fantastic.

Please everyone get everyone you know to take a listen – it makes our point so perfect, so strong.

Please get those petitions signed also. For those of you who are new – please please understand that this is very serious – we are now back to pre-Auton days and the black clouds are brewing (to delete funding – to make it impossible to get). Oh, we are relatively safe until May but come June . . .tornado season for our kids. Please do not underestimate the evil over there in Victoria – if they would fight us all the way to Ottawa and fight us with bogus -bought for with your tax dollars science – imagine how they will treat our kids now that they think they can.

We are a minority as Dr. Freeman said – we need to make lots and lots of noise.

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Jenn:

Great letter! Full of truths. Would you mind sending it to our papers up here in the Okanagan

Kelowna Courier – email – Letters@ok.bc.ca and our Penticton paper email – editor@pentictonherald.ca

and lastly The Western -email at editor@pentictonwesternnews.com

Thank you!.

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Regarding – Be very afraid.

Michelle is right unfortunately. Many of you do not remember the pre-Auton days but they were very, very different. Each social worker/area manager had the power to deny or grant a certain amount of funding to a parent based mainly on the social worker’s personal preference. If you had a sympathetic social worker – you may get some funding or your social worker (like mine did) might hold you while you cried and tell you there wasn't any funding to be had. Everything was income tested so no matter what you paid out – you were ineligble if you made too much. It was mainly like going to ask for welfare and being treated as if they (the social worker) were giving you money from their own pockets. It was pretty degrading.

It was a battle and only the strongest won or gained a minute amount of funding. At times these “contracts” were broken and funding denied – or when the contract ran out – you were cut off funding completely. This happened to my son first when he was 4 years old for 16 months – and again when he was 7 years old for 11 months. Both times I had to get the Children’s Commission to intervene and go to Tribunal and then we would get partial funding back. BUT THERE IS NO LONGER A CHILDREN’S COMMISSION – THE LIBERALS DISMANTLED IT AND REPLACED IT WITH NOTHING.

In the last few years – we have all basked in the protection of the Auton decision – the Liberals have supplied some funding to under 6, less to over 6. We have been relatively left alone – but things have been drastically changing within the MCFD – and soon each region will be allowed to grant how much and to whom money goes to – these people to the best of my knowledge are not physicians nor are any of them experts in the field of autism. So far – autism funding has been left out of this equation – but that was then – this is now – now that the Supreme Court of Canada has denied our children any rights.

Six years ago – things were so different – so horrible and Sabrina started a movement to forever change the face of autism treatment and delivery.

We all know many of the consultants arrived because of the Auton decision and the ability for available funds to parents to pay for treatment. Many of our therapists pursued this field in their studies. They went to the US and came back educated and further trained to help our kids as consultants. The dream of full funding for our kids was just a decision away. I mean Alberta paid, soon B.C. would. The Liberals promised they would fund autism treatment and that they wouldn’t appeal – well you know the ending to that one.

Will the Liberals take away funding – I would suspect they will – maybe not until after the election (they like to screw you after they get back into office). Go take a look on the FEAT site for Broken Promises.

The thing is for years (probably without realizing it) but you have had it very easy compared to before – basked in the glow of the Auton case and the Judges ruling. So like Dave said – let's get moving. We are all going to have to pull up our socks – put on our walking shoes – get our pens ready – our voices strengthened – and begin our greatest battle (yet again). There are more of us now and we have the ability to make more noise – more publicity – we have more power now.

We are all our kids have – let’s not let them down.

Barbara
Jeremy’s Mom & Advocate

"We know how rough the road will be, how heavy here the road will be, we know about the barricades that wait along the track, but we have set our soul upon a certain goal ahead, and nothing left from hell to sky shall ever turn us back."

– Vince Lombardi

[Barbara Rodrigues]

HI Laurie:

Actually I DO think those beaurocrats over in Victoria went out for champagne toasts over this judgement yesterday.

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

This is a press release from lawyers in Ontario – I think it is wonderful – too bad the Supreme Court of Canada didn't understand the law and constitution as well.

Press Release: November 19, 2004

Orillia, Ontario

Auton Decision Devastates Needy Families

For the 105 families our firm has been retained to represent, the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in Auton is astonishing from a legal perspective.

The Court has chosen to firmly entrench the age old chestnut supporting the separation of law and governance. The Court will not intrude or make an unwarranted incursion into government policy. It will only do so where there is clear evidence of a government breach of citizen's rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

But the Court has effectively narrowed the scope of Charter remedies available to citizens in this regard by saying that a political decision
to spend money trumps an individual's Charter rights, no matter how compelling. This cannot be what Parliament intended when enacting the Charter.

In terms of discrimination, the Court astonished us by failing to consider the bricks and mortar of these claims- the evidence clearly established that the treatment is both necessary and proven effective,Instead the Court mistakenly focused on the notion that the treatment was "novel".

However, all is not lost. Even thought the Supreme Court "got it wrong", in our view, the most important revelation from the Auton decision for these families is that the Supreme Court simply did not find evidence of
discrimination in the Auton case, The door has thus been left open for a Court or Tribunal to find discrimination on the evidence before it.

For these families, it is insultingly trite to note that if a child in Canada is diagnosed with any other disability than autism and needed a
particular treatment in order to access core public services- and indeed to enjoy the dignities of life- the government would not hesitate, and has not hesitated, to provide such treatment. The blow to families of individuals living with autism through thise decision is thus substantial. These families will consider this conservative decision to be a further indicator of systemic discrimination permeating throughout the justice system.

This is not the end of the fight for these individuals. The families we represent (and their numerous advocates) will be reacting to this decision politically-with their collective voices, intellect and – when it comes time once again to vote- their feet.

We await the decision of Justice Kitely in the Wynberg and Deskin trial court matters to further guide us in our current proceedings. These cases deal with claims of discrimination against the Ontario government in relation to an alleged failure of the Ontario government to provide equal treatment to autistic children, and a decision is expected at the end of December.

We will continue to pursue remedies for these families from the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and from the lower courts where many important
issues continue to be relevant and the legal tests distinct. From our perspective, the treatment of vunerable individuals as economic factors in government decision-making is inherently reprehensible and our outmoded legal system must rise to the challenge of achieving real justice.

-30-

Contact: Ellie Venhola, Barrister and Solicitor (705) 326-6444 ext. 27

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi everyone:

I too am devastated. It's unimaginable. This was the worst possible scenerio the SCOC could have rendered. We should have won – our kids deserved to win – this has been a huge injustice with no where to turn to appeal. It is indeed a sad day for us, for our kids.

And while we may all shed a tear (or in my case a bucket of tears) and we may all have been kicked and we will suffer – we will do that for today – we've been dealt a huge blow.

But make no mistake – we are not so easily broken- we are not so easily stopped. This fight is far from over – our kids will get the funding/treatment they deserve and we will find a way to make that a reality.

This is one tough group of parents -this FEAT group – not only tough but smart and dedicated and determined. This is not over, not by a long shot.

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

[Barbara Rodrigues]

I just wanted to add my thanks to everyone involved in this long court battle – for the hours and hours that you all have put in – for the everending determination and for never giving up. For this really has been a David and Goliath story. Thank you for the sacrifices of not only money and time but privacy. We really appreciate it. Because of you – many of our children have a better chance – a real chance. This poem (not written by myself) sums it up well.

It's a comfort to know there are heroes among us-regular people, just like you- willing to do what they can to make the world a better place.

Heroes give instead of take. They act instead of talk. They step forward and do the hard and unseen jobs, to the give the best of themselves – measuring their own success not by wealth or comfort but by the lives they touch along the way.

That's what heroes do – and you are one of those people. Maybe you don't think of yourself that way- but that's what you are.

I just want to tell you how grateful I am to know you and to know that there are heroes like you in the world.

J.F. Peterson

Thank you for all your time fighting the big fight – for the endless hours of helping me fight my little fight and for having the stamina, strength and ability to get us all to the top of the mountain.

Bless you all. No matter what – we will win in the end.

Barbara Rodrigues
Jeremy's Mom

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Selena:

You didn't say where you are? Are you in Canada, B.C. or the States?

Is your daughter in an ABA program?

Our kids can be extremely hyper (well some of them anyway). I said my son is a like a bee and buzz…he's moving and fast. Luckily he's not a runner but I know people whose kids are.

Email my privately if you want to talk off list. I can maybe give you some pointers on where to find help, etc.

Barbara email joe_rodrigues@telus.net

Hang in there, Selena.

[Barbara Rodrigues]

HI Everyone:

Arbutus Coast is presenting another great workshop! This time it is in Victoria and Bridget Taylor will be the speaker. This is a great opportunity for us and I hope everyone can get a chance to attend. It will be a great workshop for both parents and also therapists. See you there!

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc. Proudly Presents ….

Dr. Bridget Taylor
Victoria British Columbia
Friday, 22 October, 2004

Dr. Taylor will present two talks.

Morning Session

Improving the Verbal and Social Behavior of Children with Autism: A Focus on Acquisition and Motivation

Existing research has documented the efficacy of a wide range of interventions to facilitate language and social responses in children with autism (e.g., incidental teaching, video modeling, script fading, audio-tape prompts, contrived establishing operations). Many children, however, continually fail to initiate these responses on their own despite directed teaching. Acquisition, generalization and maintenance of social responses may occur more readily with specific attention to variables that effect motivation. This presentation will review a range of research-based strategies for addressing the verbal and social responses of children with autism, with specific attention to variables that may enhance motivation and response allocation. Videotaped examples will be used to illustrate both teaching procedures and the skills to target. Examples will include children with autism who have both vocal ability and those who utilize voice output communication systems.

The talk will focus on the following Learning Objectives:

· Research based strategies to facilitate the verbal behavior and social behavior of children with autism

· Relevant skills to target given child’s skill profile

· Variables that impact motivation

· Strategies to contrive establishing operations to promote language

· Strategies to contrive establishing operations to promote social behavior

· The variables that effect response allocation

· The variables to consider when prioritizing objectives and considering interventions

Afternoon Session

Recognizing, Dealing with & Preventing Problem Behaviours

Children with autism can present with challenging behavior. For example, it is not uncommon for an individual with autism to engage in high rates of repetitive non-purposeful behavior, tantrum in the presence of demands, or engage in aggression or self injury when denied access to preferred activities. The presentation of problem behavior can significantly interfere with and limit educational and social opportunities, negatively impact family functioning, and if not addressed can limit overall community integration experiences. This talk will provide an overview of the potential reasons why problem behavior exists, innovative interventions that match treatment to function, and practical strategies parents and teachers can implement to prevent the development of problem behavior. Case examples will be presented through lecture and videotapes to illustrate assessment, intervention and data-base outcomes.

The talk will focus on the following Learning Objectives:

· The potential functions of problem behavior

· Environmental contexts that may occasion problem behavior

· Skill deficits that may occasion problem behavior

· Assessment procedures to match treatment to the function of problem behavior

· Potential treatment options given the function of the behavior

Dr. Bridget Taylor Presentation

10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 22 October, 2004

University of Victoria, Student Union Bldg., Michele Pujol Room

(250) 721-6243

Seating for this presentation is limited – Register Early!

REGISTRATION FORM

For

Dr. Bridget Taylor Presentation – 22 October, 2004

Please print this form, if you are paying by credit card, complete the information and Fax to Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc. – 250-655-4989

If you are mailing this Form with a cheque, please send to

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.

1691 Lands End Road

Sidney, BC V8L 5L5

Name _________________________________

Job Title _________________________________

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Daytime Phone # ____________________________

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Registration Fee is $125 (includes GST) before 08 October, 2004

Late Registration Fee is $175.00

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(please check your choice) Fax ______

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.

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CANADA V8L 5L5

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Larry Uhlin

[Author]

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