[Barbara Rodrigues]

Vasylyna

I am not sure what kind of creditionals for a BI for 40.00 – I would say Masters – not a BA – more than a years experience – I would expect at least 10 years experience – also since your child is young – some proven references concerning great work with other children. I mean I would expect a 'Bridget Taylor' type of therapist for 40.00 a hour. Your child is young so you need to maximize the therapy hours and unless you are super rich – 4o.oo an hour x 40 hours a week…not including team meetings and consultants fees…I would look for team members that are enthusiastic – willing to be trained by your consultant – upbeat, motivated, still working towards their degreee and happy to start with 15.00 a hour….you maximize your child's hours and therapy time and can still achieve great things without going broke or cutting back hours to pay someone that much. I have always hired untrained people – if your consultant is good – she/he can train them and each child's program should be unique so it doesn't matter if they are trained by with some other kid – that's not YOUR kid. Don't get taken advantage of – it's just too much to pay a BI for a little one starting out – unless it is Brigette Taylor then what a deal ;-)

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Alina:

In my opinion that is far to high a wage to be paying for a BI. I wouldn't pay as little as 10.00 but between 15-20.00 per hour. I have one girl I pay 25.00 per hour BUT she has her MA, has been trained and plans on going through to get her BCBA and has been with me for over 10 years and she's done extensive training with my consultant and acts like a minor/aide consultant at times…personally I would love to pay her 40.00 an hour but can't afford it. But for just a regular BI – nope 40.00 is too much. Also my son is severe – and a teenager – big difference than working with a little one – much harder.

Barbara Rodrigues

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi:

I heard from other parents of autistic kids that the Otterbox defender is the best protection – it's pricey but worth it. The defender doesn't fit the Ipad 2 though but here's the link for one that does.

http://www.amazon.ca/OtterBox-Defender-Hybrid-Case-APL2-IPAD2-D9-E4OTR/dp/B004V9F61O

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

What a joke – proves how scared they still are of Dr. Sabrina Freeman. Idiots.

Thanks for posting Andrew.

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Well said Andrew! Sabrina is still a part of this list. She also has a new blog which you would DEFINITELY enjoy……

http://autismpundit.com/files/c711821302c3d2f65804981179dd5ec9-98.html

Barbara Rodrigues

[Barbara Rodrigues]

For those of you who didn't get a chance to listen here's the link for the Medicare for Autism radio interview with Jean Lewis and David Marley at Co-op radio. It's a great, great interview and a must hear and please share it with your friends, relatives and those who work with your children. Well done!! Incredibly motivating and inspiring!

http://www.coopradio.org/content/peoples-health-radio-55

Barbara Rodrigues

[Barbara Rodrigues]

To All Parents – Especially new parents!

If you missed the last workshop -here's your chance to attend!

http://www.medicareforautismnow.org/advocacy/advocacy-workshops/getting-it-done-workshop/

Things have not always been so easy for the under 6 set – it was through sacrifice and battle that the funds you now receive so easily were won through the courts. Many years before my son was not so lucky – I was cut off from all funding –not once but twice – I walked a picket line for over 100 days in protest and to fight for funding for my son and all kids with autism. Today things are better – but it’s not guaranteed and when you venture into the school system – as we have seen with current events – things can go downhill quickly.

Case in point – our rights to have individualized funding has been taken away…there have been no increases to our funds for the over 6 set. And look at what is happening to the older kids with autism when they turn 19 – the news is full of the horror stories.

So sadly without autism treatment being covered under Medical – our battle for our children will continue over their lifetime. You parents have the opportunity to learn a great deal at this workshop – and to have more tools – and more ammunition/skills in order to effectively fight for your child. You may not need these tools now – but trust me – you will need them at some point – there is a long road ahead for both you and your child. Battles will have to be fought The more prepared you are the better.

Please take this rare opportunity to learn one of the most important things you need to move ahead on this journey of autism that you share with your child – learn how to advocate for them. I am sure you would fight for to death for your child but this workshop gives you the skills and guidance to do that effectively and to take the raw emotion that we as parents dealing with incompetence find hard to do. Give you and your child this workshop – the gift of power .

Barbara Rodrigues
Jeremy's Mom

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Dione:

I can't attend as I am in the Okanagan but just wanted to send out kudos to you and all involved in developing something like this for parents. Pretty amazing!

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

I also wanted to add to what Dave, Franca and Barbara said – welcome to the new parents. I am sorry that you are here as it is not what we would chose for our kids but it is what it is and now we must do what we have for our kids to succeed.

My heart truly aches for those of you newly diagnosed and along with the new babies in your life. My best friend (whom I have known now for 14 years- we actually met at a FEAT workshop back in 1997) and I say – we would NEVER want to go back to the beginning and all that you endure from recieving the diagnosis to the struggles…so I am sending you out a big ((((HUG)))) of love and encouragment and strength and hope and determination and patience. It is not an easy road this one but truly you will find many angels along the way – people that make a difference in your life -your child's life and yes, you will be changed forever because of your child's diagnosis. And there is a grieving process as mentioned – anger, depression, denial….I lost my faith for many years and became bitter and jealous of our patients (I worked for a doctor) who drank and did drugs yet their kids were typical! Yet I didn't even drink coffee while pregnant – how could this be???!! Why me???!!! Why my son??!! But my dear friend mentioned above told me to read a very good book – When Bad things happen to good people – it changed my way of thinking and I found peace again. And you will find peace again. There will be bumps and hurdles along the way – don't get me wrong but as they come up – you will be stronger and you will be okay – your child will be okay – because you are here – you care enough to find us FEAT/support – to find out about his diagnosis and you will continue to find out how best to help him. See? You are already amazing.

In the midst of all you do – please remember to take a deep breath and take time when you can to take care of yourself (I learned the hard way that your body will alert you if you don't) I know it's overwhelming and it's exhausting but PLEASE don't be afraid to ask for help. And do vent – vent about the injustice – the bad day – and then rejoice in the small moments of success and happiness. Remember for our kids – these successes might seem like nothing to another person (he put his shoes on for the first time, didn't freak out at the pool, ate something new! -yes, Tanya feeding issues here too -)

I am posting a link to a poem written by a friend of mine in the US – here son is older in his 20s – she is not true ABA but I still like this poem. http://www.bbbautism.com/beginners_beirut.htm

AGain – I am sorry you are here but you will find there are some pretty special people/parents on this site – some of us are a little rough around the edges so bear with us – we got that way from dealing with some not very nice beaurocrats, politicians and specialists, Dr.s,etc. so just bear with us at times – one thing you can be sure – we will stand up for our kids. I will leave you with a Catherine Maurice quote…

And finally, it is important to note that ASAT will use the tools of science to achieve our mission, but we are not working for science as an end. The end, for all of us, lies not in the mere furthering of human knowledge or human technology. The end lies in the lovely faces of our children, in their sweet eyes, in their profound worthiness. It is science that guides us, but love that inspires us, and we will not fail our children.

Barbara Rodrigues

[Barbara Rodrigues]

I found this quote and thought I would just put it out there….

"I can assure you there is no more powerful advocate for children than a parent armed with information and options."
Dr. Rod Paige, U.S. Secretary of Education (2001-2005)

Barbara

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