[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi:

This is on organizing. I found these great little drawers at the dollar store – They are plastic – small about 12-16 inches tall – 4 drawer or 5 drawer. They fit into a shelve unit nicely – I can keep all his cards (sorted) emotions/rol/spelling letters/etc. in those. We also bought larger (they look like recipe holders) for other rol/sight words/word to object.

You can't go wrong with shelving. My husband made shelves for the room – we put all the toys etc. up there so the therapists/Jeremy could SEE what was out and grab stuff. We also bought a really nice cheap smaller pine shelve for storage of those little plastic shelves and other materials. Joe also put up a huge wall length shelf above the craft area – we can keep the paints/paper/larger size games etc. there and out of the way.

We use an older stereo unit with the glass doors removed for puzzles holders (this works great where the stereo should have been) and to put his games and things.

This year we bought a desk (again just a cheap pine one) for the therapists – they can keep the data books on the shelf below and folders in the drawers with the sheets, etc. We put up cheap shelving above it for further storage. The desk works great for doing work away from the table also. We bought a new table and chairs for Jeremy at a wholesale office supply and Joe just chopped a couple inches off the table legs – really cheap and great longer table table(that also folds up so if we ever need extra room).

I use large Rubbermaid containers to hold reinforcers (for us mostly books) and I also use these to rotate materials. Putting away nonreinforcing items for a few months and then bringing them back works wonders.

I also bought lots of larger type baskets for holding the books/toys/etc. again wanting to keep things easy for both Jeremy and the girls to get at and also to clean up after.

Hope this gives you some ideas – we also have been at this for 5 years so it's been a long process of organizing. Now if I could just get all my papers in order.

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Everyone:

I am posting this for Christina in Alberta.

Hi everyone!

Wintergreen Learning is in Canada & carries many of the same materials as Lakeshore Learning in the US. The website is:http://
http://www.wintergreenlearning.ca/ if anyone wants to check it out. Also, there is another great website for kids: http://www.dotolearn.com They have very catchy & repetitive musical cartoons about safety that are fantastic. Also, the site
has alot of other ideas that may be helpful.

Regards,
Christina Jirik

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi:

The funding the social worker speaks of comes from the MCFD/Interm Authority – it's going to provide individualized funding for adults or to families with children with special needs as of October 31, 2003. It's not autism specific and I don't know how it will relate to funding for our kids. It really doesn't have anything to do with the court ordered treatment.

I have posted the information/lack of it for those interested below.

The Mid – September Transition Update has been posted on the Interim Authority for Community Living BC website.

http://www.interimauthorityclbc.ca/Documents/UpdateSept1603.pdf

There is also a black and white version for those readers with slow connections or who want to print in black and white:

http://www.interimauthorityclbc.ca/Documents/PF_UpdateSept1603.pdf

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Everyone:
I wanted to jump in on this thread of discussion that was started by Anon 9/17.
I wanted to address the remarks made TO Laura Romey. This is REALLY long.

Anon states : " In this instance it fascinates me as to why and how people who are stuck within the paradigm of ABA will so easily attempt to discredit anything that is not ABA,
without even discussing or OBJECTIVLLY considering the possibility. I guess that is a Paradigm for you!!!"

I disagree with you – we at FEAT choose to base our children's treatment on science-based Lovaas-type ABA. The science has documented to us what works with the data to back it. This is why those in the 'Auton' case keep winning in the courts. It is not up to US to discredit the other hokey pokey 'philosphosies of autism' – it is up to those that tell US to try 'sensory integration, Theraplay, Natural Teaching Strategies, FLoor time, FC, swimming with the dolphins, music therapy, etc.' to provide US with the science based documented evidence to back their 'claims'.

Also FEAT and this discussion board is based on Lovaas-style ABA treatment – we have chosen this for our children – this is OUR forum for this discussion – we have all been privy to the bs of SI, OT, SLP, etc. prior to finding ABA. I don't want to debate the so-called merrits of government-run hack jobs IBI program nor SI – my son as many of our children were exposed to this garbage and denied medically necessary treatment for long enough. Many of us are here after a long road of dealing with the very people you defended in your previous post – all/most of whom did nothing for our children – at best wasting precious time – at worst causing harm to them. So I make no excuses for those of us here who are 'hardened' 'sharp tongued' or 'impatient' with suggestions that we all need to be a little 'nicer'.

Anon states: "I have met and or worked with well over 100 people with
Autism and their families, and I can tell you that your
understanding of the world and what is best is greatly
skewed. I urge you, to please travel to the remote locations of BC, to the reserves (population 25 to 100) 100
KM from any other community, and talk to them about what you (again Vous, the population of the Greater Vancouver, Highly
cultured, civilized and PRIVILAGED) feel is best for their children. You will very quickly realize that because you
have NO idea what their, or their children's lives are like,your ideas of the "perfect" treatment for Autism is far from what is needed, effective or possible in those parts of the
world! "

Okay SORE spot with me – so only the highly cultured, civilized and privilaged live in Greater Vancouver and the rest of us 'yahoos' make up the remainder of the province? This sort of 'social service model' of thinking is what kept MY SON from receiving Lovaas-type ABA treatment for 10 months!!! Because some pompass SLP went to a FEAT of BC workshop of ABA in July of 1997 – yet instead of telling me about ABA (which I was unaware) asked another government hack with his nose in the trough if she should tell me (she felt she shouldn't because she felt they put down SLP -aaahhhh) His advice was NO not to tell little ole uncivilized me because those FEAT of BC parents were 'fanatics' and oh, my husband and I didn't live in a house by the lake so therefore would not be able to afford the cost of the treatment and well it was too much work for us parents. Instead they sat with me while my son stimmed in the corner and asked me how my marriage was and if my husband accepted his son (my husband being Portugues and well those Italian/Portugues men just don't accept these things don't you know?). My husband (being of sounder mind) would ask how this was to help our son – to which I would reply 'I don't know'.

Luckily for me – FEAT got a news story on BCTV in December of 1997 – and I found the number to FEAT of BC and got to speak with Sabrina and Jean and Krista and Bev.

Sabrina was instrumental in helping me find out about ABA – that's right – contrary to popular belief – Sabrina gives us parents the books/articles/science to read and let's us make up our own minds. We are not just mindless 'Sabrina groupies' following her into the yonder. While I read up on ABA, I also read about vision therapy and read other books pretaining to autism therapies. My husband and I CHOOSE ABA based on sound scientific facts and when I took the studies to Jeremy's doctor's – they also read the studies and prescribed this 'treatment' for our son.

FEAT supplies the parents with the information and the science – if the parents choose not to do ABA – we do not hunt them down and harrass them – we have neither the time nor the energy. On the other hand I personally don't want to sit down with you to discuss how little Johnny seems to be doing so well since the OT has been hanging him the doorway in that burlap sack. We at FEAT are not a 'cult' although I have been told by some in the school field that this is my religion. But that's another long story.

Also, you allude to the fact that FEAT or ABA parents are trying to deny other services to parents whom choose not to do ABA. This is the old service providers/ MCFD bureaucrats ploy to try and get the other parents of autistic kids (which outnumber ABA parents) to get in an uproar to government to help stop the individualized funding theme. The service providers have long earned a tidy living off our children's lack of treatment and increased need for 'supports'. They aren't worried about parental choice – they are worried about their jobs. FEAT doesn't care (okay I am not sure about this but I don't care) what government provides to other parents of autistic children AS LONG as our children are being provided their medically necessary autism treatment that our children's doctor's are prescribing for as long as our children need the treatment. Although I do tend to think that tax dollars should be spent on sound science based treatments.

Lastly you will find that those of here will defend Sabrina quickly and without hesitation whether she needs it or not. Her selflessness and dedication to our kids, to their fight and to their future is amazing. Not a month goes by when I don't remember all her time and her effort that she put into helping me help my little boy – and I am but just one of hundreds. Sabrina saved my son from a life in an institution. She gave me something else remarkable – she gave me my power back – to take over where she would need to leave off. I am now capable and prepared to fight and advocate for my son – To be able to fight and stand up for my child – there was a time when the system took that away from me. That is what Sabrina Freeman gave to me and it is my greatest lesson from the greatest teacher and inspiration. So yes, to many of us – Sabrina and many of the 'core' FEAT parents are our hero's – they paved the way and made a difference for all of our kids. Things today are far better than they were 5 years ago – far better. And while they are not perfect the fight is not over yet.

Hope this sheds some light on things. Thanks all to taking the time to read this. For the new parents – don't be afraid – times are easier now for you so you may be able to keep your demure outlook but the majority of us here though quick with words are all quite nice and will help when we can.

Barbara Rodrigues
Jeremy's Mom & Advocate
Jeremy (my greatest gift)

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Everyone:

Do not forget to register for this workshop. It's going to be great – for those of us who have never had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Newman I hear he is fantastic and we are extremely lucky to have this rare opportunity to hear him speak – so sign up early!! It's also a great experience to take your therapists too for all the hard work they do for our kids each day.

Reminder – to Vancouver area parents and agencies

Dr. Bobby Newman – Do The Right Thing! workshop – Fri. 24 October, 2003.

The first 100 paid registrants receive a free copy of his latest publication – Graduated Applied Behavior Analysis.

Check website for details http://www.ArbutusCoast.com , phone 403-394-9470, or fax 403-394-9471

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.

214- 905 1st St. South, Suite 439

Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4M7

403-394-9470

403-394-9471

ArbutusCoast@shaw.ca

ArbutusCoast.com

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi:

I haven't used the Laurel group but from what I have heard from parents who have – it has been only negative. These people are not trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis – to my knowledge.

The fact that they are calling the ABLLS a 'new' teaching program is such a joke!!! The ABLLS is a curriculm guide based on the principals of ABA utilizing Skinner's Verbal Behavior – it is NOT a 'new' program. You can not just be able to fill out the ABLLS charts and voila you are a consultant. Sure it has some great points for people to gage areas that need work, etc. but it is not new and is ABA based! You still need to know and understand ABA in order to achieve the goals and skills necessary – in order to analysis behaviors and target behaviors. Just because you have a 'map' you still need to know how to drive.

Verbal Behavior has been around for years and years – Skinner wrote the book in 1957. I went to a workshop on the how to fill out the ABLLS put on by Dr. Partington in 2000 – he certainly is very pro ABA and does NOT call the ABLLS a 'new program' but an easy guide to see what areas you need to target.

Unfortunately many people using or working for the government run agencies seem to be fed a lot of misinformation about what they are doing and how it's so much better than ABA – when what they are doing (in MY opinion) is a bunch of eclectic huey and they keep trying to justify it and say it's better than ABA – they steal bits and pieces of ABA and destroy it and mess it up and then throw in some Sensory Integration just to make themselves feel all fuzzy. UGGHHH!

Excuse the rant but these people are unbelievable and the fact they are so misinformed and ignorant and they feed this crap to new parents and the people they hire is just so annoying to me. Plus they feed these new parents the line of how much better they are and nicer than those mean Lovaas ABA FEAT types and how the parent is such a better parent and person for using them (the government hacks). I was fed the same BS from the so-called experts in my sons life and I am still dealing with the damage they caused to him from not doing the right thing and allowing him to have ABA.

This is my opinion and my views.

Barbara Rodrigues
Jeremy's Mom and Advocate

[Barbara Rodrigues]

For those of you who missed the great Dr. Foxx workshop – Arbutus Coast is bringing up Dr. Bobby Newman in October! This is another must see for parents,therapists/aides and anyone interested in ABA. Info below.

AUTISM 2003

Do the Right Thing!

A Workshop with Dr. Bobby Newman

Calgary 22 October, 2003

Vancouver 24 October, 2003

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Dr. Bobby Newman presents information on the real world of autism assessment and treatment, “Major scientific breakthroughs are not announced on afternoon talk shows. If a technique stands up to peer-review, there is probably something there. If advocates of a system avoid peer-review, the red warning flags should go up.” Dr. Newman starts the process of treatment by examining two efforts that are engaged simultaneously, 1 Teaching new skills, particularly learning to learn skills. 2 Reducing behaviors that are interfering with learning. If you want practical skills, ideas and an organizational directive to your work as a parent or professional—you’ll find it at this workshop, and in his recently published book – Graduated Applied Behavior Analysis*. Dr. Newman also discusses a study describing the effectiveness of an ABA (IBI) preschool.

*The first 100 paid registrants at each venue will receive a free copy of Dr. Newman's publication Graduated Applied Behavior Analysis. This book is valued at approximately $40.00 CDN!

Who Will Benefit from this Workshop?

This presentation will be of interest to parents, therapists, IBI program supervisors, educators and anyone who is interested in providing effective, science-based services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Newman’s Graduated Applied Behavior Analysis is a practical, functional approach to programming that can easily be applied to children and adults with other disorders of a severe nature, for example, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, Developmental Delays, Downs Syndrome, ADD, ADHD and others.

Dr. Bobby Newman is the Director of Training at the Association for Metro area Autistic Children—AMAC. He is a licensed psychologist and was New York’s first Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He received his Ph.D. in psychology, with a sub-specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis, in 1996. He is the author of several books, including The Reluctant Alliance: Behaviorism and Humanism, No Virtue in Accident, When Everybody Cares: Case Studies of ABA, Words from Those who Care, Graduated Applied Behavior Analysis, and the soon to be published Behaviorspeak. His research has centered around effective means of teaching children and adults with autistic-spectrum disorders, particularly in the area of self-management training. His original research has been published in Behavioral Interventions, Behavioral Disorders, Perceptual and Motor Skills, The Psychological Record, Analysis of Verbal Behavior, Education and Training in Mental Retardation, and elsewhere. Dr. Newman is a Past-President of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis, and lectures on the autistic-spectrum disorders and ABA throughout the United States and United Kingdom. He has been named as Autism Professional of the Year by New York Families for Autistic Children (NYFAC) and Empowering Long Island’s Journey through Autism (ELIJA). Dr. Newman has also been an expert witness in Canadian litigation.

Workshop Fee

$133.75 includes GST**

** Because of this accessible registration fee there will not be group or student rates.

Workshop Schedules

Workshop Registration pick-up & on-site Registration & refreshments 8 a.m.—9 a.m.

Presentation starts 9 a.m.

Morning break 10:30

Lunch (on your own)* 12—1 p.m.

Afternoon break 2:30

Presentation ends 3:30

Questions & comments 3:30—4:00

*there are a variety of restaurants at each site.

REGISTRATION BY CREDIT CARD

To ensure credit card security please go to the Registration Form link below, click and print a copy of the Registration Form and FAX the completed form to 403-394-9471. You will receive confirmation within 24 hours. You will be advised if you are among the first 100 registrants to qualify for the free book.

REGISTRATION BY CHEQUE

Please click on the Registration Form link below, print a copy, complete the information and send with a current dated cheque to Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc., #214—905 1st Ave. South, Suite 439, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4M7. Confirmation of your registration will be sent by email, FAX or mail within 24 hours of receiving your payment. You will be advised if you are among the first 100 registrants to qualify for the free book.

Calgary Location

SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) 1301 16th Ave. NW, Symposium Room, Campus Centre. 403-210-4583

Vancouver Location

University of British Columbia, Student Union Building, 6138 Student Union Blvd., Ballroom. 604-822-3456

Registration Form

click on above hyperlink, print a copy, complete the information and fax or send to

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.

#214—905 1st Ave. S. Suite 439

Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4M7

Phone 403-394-9470

Fax 403-394-9471

Email ArbutusCoast@shaw.ca

web site http://www.arbutuscoast.com

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Ah, let me get in on this. Applied Behavior Analysis can be worked out in our own life. As Laurie states don't we all learn by reinforcement – of course. If you went to work and didn't get paid (reinforcement) would you continue? If you did a favour for someone or you did the dishes, etc. and no one ever said, hey thanks, hon or great job would you continue to do so? Dr. Foxx has said we continue to do and try things that are reinforcing to us. . . example – I am a good water skier now- was I always no way but I was taught by some great people – who cheered me on and kept telling me I could do it when I thought I might never – but they encouraged me through their positive reinforcement and hence I continued to learn. Now water skiing is reinforcing in itself – I don't need those people to cheer me on any longer.

ABA is applied in the same way – the child learns new skills – play skills, social, academic, etc. and heavy reinforcement to begin with. As they learn and the skills become easy – reinforcement is faded or the drills/skills become the 'reinforcement' in itself (this has happened with us with certain academic drills and play skills such a biking, baseball, etc.)

A well rounded ABA program utilizes reinforcement and reinforcement fading. You also start to work on a token system (or can) for bigger rewards – a trip to the park (because now through ABA your child loves to play appropriately!) etc. You start to use itermitten(sp?) reinforcement – only reinforcing every 3-4 answer/time etc. You use this principal much like in toilet training – heavy reinforcement and tons of prompts to begin with and faded over time. You still don't get a candy for pee in the toilet 3 years later sort of thing.

Regression is a sad fact for some kids and many factors play into it and at times it is not because of lack of reinforcement but reinforcement helps correct the regressed behaviors (along with a behavior plan, etc. etc. again a consultant will tell you all this as each child is so individual).

ABA can be used to teach a child that a check mark beside their answer on the homework sheet is just the same as a loud hooray and verbal "job well done" – with the use of reinforcement and fading.

ABA is a science – it's the science of behavior and teaching – it has the data to prove it and back it and people can say all they want against it but ask them to show the data on their 'theories' and explain how they actually teach – not 'oh it just happens' and well they need this 'sensory input', yakkity , yak. ABA works – don't take my word for it – read the science – try it for 6 months – give your little girl 6 months and I a guarantee you – you will give her her best chance. That is using a actual Lovaas-style ABA consultant and therapists.

Good luck to you and your family.

Barbara

ps: There's a video available now from Different Roads to learning about this put out by Dr. Sabrina Freeman – I think it's worth a look.
I don't know if it's available here-anyone? Can't remember the name something What do I do now?

[Barbara Rodrigues]

I just wanted to say how amazing Miki's recital was also – it brought tears to my eyes. I also wanted to congratulate Jon on his big day and his achievements.

Then I wanted to go off thread for just a minute and say that I met Jon and his parents Robin and Jeff about 5 years ago here in the Okanagan. We were just starting out in our program – Jeremy was just 4 – I had never met any other autistic kids let alone any doing programs.

Jean Lewis made a point of meeting me with me – took the time out of her family vacation to introduce me to her family and her little guy and Robin and her family also came up to meet with us. It meant a lot to me because I was very alone up here in the Okanagan and fighting a lot of Ministry and contracted agencies who had thoughts much like those expressed by the anon 5:13.

I remember so clearly how both Robin and Jean shared with me what their kids were doing, how life was and how it could be.

But what struck me the most and has always stayed with me – is not only the fierce love that you could see the parents have but the follow through that was evident even during vacation – the parents were 'working and following through' with their kids all the time. I have seen Sabrina do this with Miki also.

I remember thinking at the time as I still do – Wow what amazing parents – especially Robin and Jeff because Jon was so much older (ha! now that my guy's 9 that seems so funny to me but at that time. . )

I remember thinking – you know these are the true 'hero's' in all of this – these are the ones that don't get the 'kudo's' much but that really deserve it. The parents whose kids don't fly through the program with the lightening speed – the ones that trudge through the tough times long after the 2-3 years it takes some of the other kids (I wish everyone's little one to make it like that). These are the hero's – the parents that fight for their kids and follow through and rant and rage and cry and then dammit, get up the next day and begin again.

These are the parents that have fought and moved the boulders off the road so that maybe just maybe it's easier for those of us who come along behind them.

So while I would never take anything away from each of these amazing children because they have worked so hard to get there. I want to say 'Way to go!' to the amazing parents of these two children and all the parents of 'older kids' who fight the fight each and every day – you are my inspiration.

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

ps: Dave – I loved your quote about achievement – I am going to put that up on my board.

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hey Deb:

I read your posts both current and past – I should have posted to the first but just didn't get the time.

Your post touched me because I have been there, felt the same way about the publicity, outcry – when I was picketing the news gave me some coverage locally but boy, when a dog was abused up here in the Okanagan that story went not only provincial but national. I had the same feelings that you had (not that we both don't love animals) just that our kids weren't given as high a priority as an animal.

I hope you will continue to post both good news and bad. You have made huge contributions to the fight and spent your valuable time speaking out and helping to make the lives of the 'newbie' families easier and better – some of whom will never know the heartache, anguish or frustration that those who have had to fight the system for so many years have had to endure. Sure things are better but not enough – that's why the battle continues in court.

You know my son is more severely affected by his autism, we are not rich and we are not going to be on the 'recovery' route. So we have to fight to ensure that my son will get continued treatment for as long as he may need it. For while he may never be as advanced as Dave's (Mr. P's dad) son or even integrate into the school – ABA has helped him in many ways – for without ABA I have no doubt that he would be in a institution and his ears would be damaged from smashing them with his hands. And each and every year (with treatment) he shows great improvement and more foundation skills – so who knows?

So while there may be different variations in how ABA works – I think we can all agree that it's what our kids require, what they deserve and anything less should and will remain unacceptable.

ps: for the rude comments – my girlfriend suggested a t-shirt that says

LIVE IT
THEN JUDGE

Take Care

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

[Author]

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