[Barbara Rodrigues]

You can still register for this workshop by FAX, email or phone-in. You can also register at the door on Friday morning, 14 October.

BUILDING SUCCESSFUL BRIDGES TO ADULTHOOD
FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
EXCLUSIVE VANCOUVER PRESENTATION BY

DR. PETER GERHARDT

WHEN: OCTOBER 14, 2005 9am-4 pm
LOCATION: UBC , STUDENT UNION BLDG. BALLROOM
COST: $175.00

CONTENT:

· What constitutes Quality of Life?

· Solutions to challenges experienced by parents, caregivers, educators and policy makers

· Practical strategies for future planning

· Expanded session on sexuality

FOR MORE INFORMATION and REGISTRATION FORMS SEE http://www.arbutuscoast.com or call (250) 655-4999.

Proudly brought to you by Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc. as part of our continued commitment to bring leaders in ASD research and education to you at affordable rates.

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.
2183 Malaview Avenue
Sidney, British Columbia
V8L 2E6
250-655-4999
250-655-4989 FAX
250-882-1116 Cellular
http://www.ArbutusCoast.com

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Posted for Arbutus Coast: Great learning Opportunity

Unfortunately, Shaw cable erroneously sent our website into the netherworld for the past four days. Consequently, many of you trying to register for the $50 savings were not able to access the registration form, therefore we have extended the Early Registration deadline to October 7. Thanks for your patience.

BUILDING SUCCESSFUL BRIDGES TO ADULTHOOD

FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

EXCLUSIVE VANCOUVER PRESENTATION BY

DR. PETER GERHARDT

WHEN: OCTOBER 14, 2005 9am-4 pm

LOCATION: UBC , STUDENT UNION BLDG. BALLROOM

COST: $125.00 BEFORE October 7, 2005

CONTENT:

· What constitutes Quality of Life?

· Solutions to challenges experienced by parents, caregivers, educators and policy makers

· Practical strategies for future planning

· Expanded session on sexuality

FOR MORE INFORMATION and REGISTRATION FORMS SEE http://www.arbutuscoast.com or call (250) 655-4999.

Proudly brought to you by Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc. as part of our continued commitment to bring leaders in ASD research and education to you at affordable rates

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.
2183 Malaview Avenue
Sidney, British Columbia
V8L 2E6
250-655-4999
250-655-4989 FAX
250-882-1116 Cellular
http://www.ArbutusCoast.com

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Danielle:

Unfortunately MCFD does not do 'backpay' even though D missed out – my son was cut off by MCFD over 2 years at different times (before the Auton case way back when) and even though I took them to the Children's Commission and won – they never gave us back the funding that they had denied in the prior years.

On a more personal note – I just wanted to say as a parent I am so very happy that D has someone like you in his life – you have brought tears to my eyes listening to your love and dedication to this little boy – 6 1/2 years old is still young – you will have a very good chance to make a huge difference in his future. (Of course that said – there should definitely be more funding available and progress does not stop at 6 so neither should funding – but hopefully we will all work towards that goal and win that someday soon.)

I wish you all the best – this world truly needs more people like you in it.

Barbara Rodrigues
Jeremy's Mom

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Guys:

Just to remind you of this great workshop. Bobby Newman mentioned Dr. Gerhardt in his talk as someone to see. I think this will be a very valuable learning experience for both parents and therapists.

BUILDING SUCCESSFUL BRIDGES TO ADULTHOOD

FOR LEARNERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

EXCLUSIVE VANCOUVER PRESENTATION BY

DR. PETER GERHARDT

WHEN: OCTOBER 14, 2005 9am-4 pm

LOCATION: UBC , STUDENT UNION BLDG. BALLROOM

COST: $125.00 BEFORE October 1, 2005

CONTENT:

· What constitutes Quality of Life?

· Solutions to challenges experienced by parents, caregivers, educators and policy makers

· Practical strategies for future planning

· Expanded session on sexuality

FOR MORE INFORMATION and REGISTRATION FORMS SEE http://www.arbutuscoast.com or call (250) 655-4999.

Proudly brought to you by Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc. as part of our continued commitment to bring leaders in ASD research and education to you at affordable rates.

Arbutus Coast Presentations, Inc.
2183 Malaview Avenue
Sidney, British Columbia
V8L 2E6
250-655-4999
250-655-4989 FAX
250-882-1116 Cellular
http://www.ArbutusCoast.com

[Barbara Rodrigues]

*This story is from AP today …

*

*PORTERSVILLE, Pa. Aug 25, 2005 *- An autistic boy died after receiving an unproven treatment that some people believe may cure the neurological and developmental disorder, officials said.

Abubakar Tariq Nadama, 5, had received his third treatment of chelation therapy at a doctor's office Tuesday before going into cardiac arrest,
said Deputy Coroner Larry Barr.

The staff at Dr. Roy E. Kerry's office performed CPR on the boy, but he was later pronounced dead in a hospital, Barr said. More tests would be needed to determine the cause of death, he said.

State police also were investigating.

A message left for the doctor at the Advanced Integrative Medicine Center in Portersville was not immediately returned Thursday morning.

Some people believe that autism can be linked to a mercury-containing preservative once commonly used in childhood vaccines, and these people sometimes advocate chelation therapy, which causes heavy metals to leave the body through urine.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved chelation only for acute heavy-metal poisoning that is confirmed by blood tests. Critics call the treatment risky and say there isn't enough evidence to link autism to mercury or lead toxicity.

The boy's mother, Marwa Nadama, said she didn't blame the therapy, but was waiting for test results.

Howard Carpenter, the executive director of the Advisory Board on Autism-Related Disorders, said it was just a matter of time before there
would be a death linked to the therapy.

"Parents of children with autism are desperate. Some are willing to try anything," Carpenter said.

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Stella/anyone interested:

Re: Data collection

My girls have a clipboard that they carry with them – that way they can still interact and pay attention – redirect stims, etc. while keeping data -noting how many times a stim occurs, etc etc. I have had girls that would ignore my son while doing notes and it's counterproductive – your busy keeping data while the child is engaging in inappropriate behavior – notes/data are important but never as important as the child. If times are tough and you need hands free – put masking tape on your jeans to keep track of behaviors/drills – put clipboards or paper in various areas around the room. Jot notes quickly and stay focused on the child.

We do a 'general behavior – about 6 lines in 'general notes' at the END of session – I provide time at the end of a session for note taking.

We keep ABC of all negative behavior and all stims -stims so we can see if the redirection/intervention we are using is working.At each team meeting all stims and all negative behaviors are added up and broken down into therapist/session/times/behavior/stim.

Each drill has it's own set of data and section in the book. I don't do graphing but can do it if I need to show the data more clearly.

I tell the girls they get 15 minutes at the end of the session to do notes – including behaviors/verbals/drills/general. It can be done – I did it myself to make sure.

To clarify my humble opinion – data is absolutely needed – exact ABC's need to be done on negative behaviors but all this can be done without taking a huge amount of time and without interfering with the session. Good behaviors or great happenings are written in general or if a particular drill needs to be looked at it might go something like this:noting that spelling data would be in 'spelling section of the book'

'Great day today – did great on spelling – had some trouble with counting -see notes. Toe walking down. Loved the blocks and playdoh.'

Then behaviors would be done in an ABC format and specific and how many times, etc.

Then each drill would have it's own data – spelling, counting, self help, verbal, etc.

This was Lisa Wincz's format from years ago (not sure if she's still using it) but it was and is the most acurate/doable/workable/achievable/accountable way that I found to set up a book and keep track of data.

Hope that makes sense.

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

re: homeowners grant – I don't think just receipts for 'therapy' will do it. My understanding was the child had to need help 'phsyically in areas to qualify'. Also if your child is not on the severe end of the spectrum – just having 'autism' does not mean they get the grant. I think the grant is mainly meant for physically disabilities -ie: CP – wheelchair etc. I know one family who got the grant but their child does need physical assistance with movement etc. I never applied for it on the basis I was told my son would not qualify – also the disability is supposed to be one that there is no help for it – that was pretty hard to do when you are fighting for ABA funding and stating it helps the child. But I am interested in finding out if I was told wrong and this is a grant we can receive. Anyone actually getting it? Does your child have gross motor problems?

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Hi Nancy:

Thanks for posting that. Years ago my son was also turned down here in Penticton by the Catholic school – they never even met him! The Principal actually lied to me and told me there was no space. Well, then I sent my therapist down to apply with her (imaginary) NT child stating she wasn't Catholic- guess what? – they had space. When I confronted the school and Church -I was given the runaround. I also want to state that we told them we would supply our own aide, etc. To make the decision having never even met my son and then to lie to me on top of it was got me the most. Especially since the Catholic religion believes that God created every child – that would include those with autism. Now I know some families have had good experiences with Catholic schools – just stating mine.

Barbara

[Barbara Rodrigues]

I just wanted to mention this point that Jacqueline brought up also – beware that it looks like MCFD is trying to get us to stop taking individualized funding and go for the direct billing – they will come up with all sorts of reasons for this, etc. Scare tactics being the main old MCFD ploy used in past. We need to be sure we stick together and make sure we keep this 'option' available to us of individualized funding as it looks like they are trying very hard to get us to give it up. And before you know it – they will tell us who will be our consultant – who we can hire to come into our home and be our therapists.

I would check with the consultant on the GST thing – I think most include this in the actual cost of the consult. I don't see why they would charge the family and not government or vise versa – that seems strange – if true maybe a consultant on list can clarify?

Also Jacqueline – if your consultant isn't on the ACTBC list – just have them join – it's quite simple I think. The web site is actbc.ca/serviceunder6.htm and if you click on the link – and go down there's a service provider application form that they can fill out and then you can use them. I don't think it takes too long to get approved (not sure but it never used to before).

Good luck to you. Again, I am not well versed in the under 6 stuff so maybe if anyone else has more info they can respond.

Barbara
Jeremy's Mom

[Barbara Rodrigues]

Franca:

What a great idea! We here in the Okanagan would also love that possibility.

Barbara

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