[Laurie Guerra]

Alexandria,

The "sour grapes" the last post was talking about had nothing to do with you. I believe it was referencing the two women who are instrumental in putting forth this requisition and who nominated each other at the AGM. (one of whom I voted for). Both women did not get elected as board members, hence the term "sour grapes". I did,
and am also being "accused" in this requisition of being a FEAT extremist.

I have been a facilitator for the ASBC for 2 years. I have given my time, energy and own money to do this and was nominated by people in my own group. I became an ASBC member and facilitator before I even knew of FEAT's existence. SO, if anyone resents anything here it should be me. Since when did FAMILIES
FOR EARLY AUTISM TREATMENT become enemies with The AUTISM SOCIETY OF B.C.?
Not only do I resent this requisition, I am thoroughly disgusted by it. I believe that if people knew the truth or were interested in finding it out this requisition wouldn't even have come to pass. The ASBC has a policy to run by and it hasn't changed nor does anyone want it to change.
ASBC and FEAT members…. this new board with all it's current members is a great one. I know every person on it, past and present, deserves to be there. They were elected as democratically as it gets!

Laurie Romey, director ASBC.

[Laurie Guerra]

Hey Anonymous, I'm with you. As soon as there is a pill that cures Autism, I'll be the first in line. But until then I'll continue to do what is BEST PRACTICE for my child.
I am not a member of FEAT other than on their chat board. I am a board member of the ASBC and have been a community facilitator for the ASBC for the past 2 years. Just to put your mind at ease, I think it is a good thing that the ASBC board is passionate; not about ABA but about AUTISM and doing whatever is necessary to treat it, support families with it and provide truthful information in regards to it.

The ASBC and FEAT need to work side by side and that is what I know we as a board will do if we are given the chance. Feat specifically deals with Early Autism Treatment. The ASBC has to deal with not only treatment but many other aspects dealing with autism. Sure treatment is a part of that and we better have the correct info. I believe that the new ASBC board will accomplish that. On a more personal note……

The question isn't whether you can afford what is deemed to be "BEST PRACTICE", but rather how can you not afford it. I don't know about you but I would give my life for my child.

If my son had cancer instead of Autism I would move heaven and earth to get him chemotherapy. why? Because that is the best treatment so far. I also heard that tomato juice is good in fighting cancer and much cheaper. Should I then reason out somehow that because someone said it worked for them I should forget the chemo and just use tomato juice? Can you see how bizarre that sounds? Perhaps I'll use chemo and tomato juice. Just make sure that the tomato juice you are using is proven safe (cheylation therapy?), and don't stop the chemo.
From what I have seen and heard so far from FEAT, I couldn't be prouder of the work that they have done. I will continue fighting for the rights of all autistic people through the ASBC because I think FEAT is doing a great job already in their mandate!
What an amazing tool this chat board is! I would like to see the ASBC have one like it. Oh well perhaps in the near future!!!

Laurie Romey, ASBC director, facilitator

[Laurie Guerra]

The guest speaker at our next meeting is Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, Clinic Director of the Early Autism Project.
Bohdanna was actually the lead therapist under Dr. Glen Sallows of the Wisconsin Early Autism Project- a replication study done of Lovaas' work at UCLA.
If you or anyone else is interested in learning more about ABA, the Early Autism Project (EAP) or just Autism,
come and join us next Tuesday, July 09 7-9pm
at Victory Christian Center, 6788 152 St., Surrey
Everyone is welcome!

Laurie Romey, Facilitator

[Laurie Guerra]

Here's another 2 cents and that could be all it's worth….
My husband found a way to make reactions to esp the coffee bean grinder, humorous. He would almost imitate what our son was doing and then make it funny by laughing at himself, almost making the whole thing an "on-purpose" reaction. We would then let our son do the grinding himself so he had control over when it was being done. When he grinded, by husband would put his hands over his ears and partially act like our son did (not as loudly though)and then laugh in between grinds. It seemed as though most "odd" behaviors were targeted that way by my husband prior to ABA and oddly enough as soon as my son realized he was doing the behaviors "on-purpose" to be funny, they quickly faded.
Don't take this to the bank but since being on an ABA program, we described this to our consultants and they thought it to be a good way to extinguish these behaviors. If you can find a way to get your child to see humor in things it is apparantly a hugh step in development.

Wesley's mom

[Laurie Guerra]

Interesting news check out

http://www2.mybc.com/news/fs.cfm?source_id=CP&id=1108951

[Laurie Guerra]

Hi All,
I too was at the EAP conference and couldn't agree more with what Sabrina said. I talked personally with Dr. Sallows re the "other" treatments put forth by speaker #2 and he said much the same thing that Sabrina said and even more "harshly" than our brilliant Sabrina.
The problem with what speaker #2 said and quoted un-scientific data on, is that new parents,(and we have all been there) will eat up anything that another parent says about how their autistic child is doing so well. If a parent thinks that another person's autistic child was helped by "other" less-expensive treatments than ABA then it is highly likely that they would go the "cheaper" route. Wouldn't you?
I would say to all parents, do what is proven to be effective! You don't have time to experiment with "maybe-treatments" and you certainly don't have time to mess with treatments already proven to be ineffective.
Don't just take my word for it or Sabrina's for that matter. Get informed yourself! Read the report Sabrina is referring to and see for yourself what peer-revued, science thinks about the "OTHER" treatments.
Thanks for listening,
Laurie Romey

[Laurie Guerra]

Hi everyone!

You won't want to miss this month's guest speaker. We finally have a consultant from W.E.A.P. named Michael Schimek who will be speaking at our next meeting, Tuesday December 11, 7:00pm at 6788 152nd Street, Surrey.

Micheal is now based out of Vancouver and the company is E.A.P. The Wisconsin Early Autism Project is a replication sight for the Lovaas studies done out of UCLA and the results that they have achieved in the last few years are truly amazing.

If you already have a home-based program, are interested in finding out about one, or just plain curious to know about ABA THERAPY please join us next Tuesday evening. Everyone welcome.

See Ya There,

Laurie Romey

[Laurie Guerra]

For those of you that didn't get a chance to hear Andrea Sharpe from Autism Partnership, we are having her as a guest speaker at our next meeting on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 7-9pm at Victory Christian Center, 6788 152nd Street, Surrey. For further info please e-mail laurieromey@home.com

[Laurie Guerra]

Hi All,

My husband and I were on Shaw Cable's Valley Connections last night and did a 30 minute spot about none other than Autism. I'm not sure when it will be on again but apparantly it will be a few more times this month. If anyone catches it let me know what you think.

Also we are starting with WEAP next week. Tres exciting!

Wesley's mom, Laurie

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