[Jaswant Singh]

Hello All,

I wish to provide an update on a posting I made back on November 12 of last year regarding the difficulties I was (am) dealing with, at the Vancouver School District. First of all, I wish to thank Sue, Derek, Andrea, David, Nancy, Cathy, Stella, Tony, Rachel, Susan, and Elna for responding to my call for help. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time and energy to respond. Your support means a lot to my boys and I.

I have partial success to report. After meeting with senior staff at the VSB and presenting them with a detailed description of how my son has been "supported" at school (or the lack thereof), the VSB has retained the services of my lead therapist to work with my son as his SSW but for mornings only (i.e., 64% of the school week). The VSB thinks that my son's TX can develop a routine that could be modeled for the afternoon SSW. This is obviously not a solution that is consistent with the Hewko ruling where the provision of instructional control is the paramount requirement and where on-the-job training is no substitute for already possessing basic training. While very thankful for the 64% support, I have expressed my views on the inadequacy of the proposed solution to the VSB and am awaiting a response.

As I wait (for not too much longer), I can't help but think that this process could be a lot more effective if this case for instructional control was being made with more "numbers". Instead of having individual families approach the VSB for proper support, it would be great to have Lovaas ABA families in the Vancouver school district approach the VSB en masse for implementation of instructional control for their kids in school ("United we stand, Divided we fall" type of thing). I feel like a one-off, possibly temporary solution has been provided to my son when instead a systematic policy change needs to occur so that other families do not have to go through the stress that I and others have already gone through and are going through. How can this be done? Retain a lawyer and have them send a letter to the Board requesting / demanding implementation of the Hewko ruling? Or make a presentation to the Board? Other ideas? I understand that FEATBC has a committee working on this issue but I do not know how my individual efforts relate to what they are doing. I also emailed the Vancouver Parents for Successful Inclusion seeking help but did not hear back from them. I'm game if others are – let me know. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Jaswant
cdranu@yahoo.com

[Jaswant Singh]

Re: Help with the VSB

My apologies for forgetting to include my email address. Responses may be sent to cdranu@yahoo.com

Thank you again.
– jaswant

[Jaswant Singh]

Re: Help with the VSB

My apologies for forgetting to include my email address. Responses may be sent to cdranu@yahoo.com

Thank you again.
– jaswant

[Jaswant Singh]

To all parents who are familiar with navigating the Vancouver School Board system: My 7 year old son and I really need YOUR HELP and guidance.

We have tried working with the VSB system and their generic SSW support personnel but we have achieved minimal success. To date, despite my son being officially registered as a full-day Grade 1 student, the school has kept him from attending even until noon. Since September, he has been attending only until recess each morning (~quarter days). The exception occurred last week when the regular SSW was away sick for a week and they brought in a substitute SSW who then supported my son until noon. Fortunately, the school also allowed my Lead therapist to visit at the same time and she helped the substitute SSW establish an effective routine. My son’s teacher acknowledges that this one week was a very successful one for my son. I now know that my son can be productively engaged in educational activities at school when given the right support. I have tried working with the principal on this issue but he appears unwilling to acknowledge and accommodate the fact that his cadre of SSWs are ill-equipped to effectively support my son.

What do I need to do to bring about a change that will see my son properly supported at school preferably by one of my ABA therapists? I know that at least one other parent has successfully managed to do this. Who should I talk to next at the VSB if I can’t get anywhere with the school principal? Please advise. I would so very much appreciate your help with this. I feel so stressed, hurt, angry and outraged by how my son has been marginalized and "written-off" by his school that I have to do something about it. Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Jaswant Ranu

PS. I recall coming across a quote a few years back that said something to the effect that "the true measure of a democracy is in its treatment of its most disadvantaged citizens." Does anyone know who said this and what were the actual words?? I'd like to use this statement in the letters that I am preparing to send. Thanks again.

[Jaswant Singh]

To all parents who are familiar with navigating the Vancouver School Board system: My 7 year old son and I really need YOUR HELP and guidance.

We have tried working with the VSB system and their generic SSW support personnel but we have achieved minimal success. To date, despite my son being officially registered as a full-day Grade 1 student, the school has kept him from attending even until noon. Since September, he has been attending only until recess each morning (~quarter days). The exception occurred last week when the regular SSW was away sick for a week and they brought in a substitute SSW who then supported my son until noon. Fortunately, the school also allowed my Lead therapist to visit at the same time and she helped the substitute SSW establish an effective routine. My son’s teacher acknowledges that this one week was a very successful one for my son. I now know that my son can be productively engaged in educational activities at school when given the right support. I have tried working with the principal on this issue but he appears unwilling to acknowledge and accommodate the fact that his cadre of SSWs are ill-equipped to effectively support my son.

What do I need to do to bring about a change that will see my son properly supported at school preferably by one of my ABA therapists? I know that at least one other parent has successfully managed to do this. Who should I talk to next at the VSB if I can’t get anywhere with the school principal? Please advise. I would so very much appreciate your help with this. I feel so stressed, hurt, angry and outraged by how my son has been marginalized and "written-off" by his school that I have to do something about it. Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Jaswant Ranu

PS. I recall coming across a quote a few years back that said something to the effect that "the true measure of a democracy is in its treatment of its most disadvantaged citizens." Does anyone know who said this and what were the actual words?? I'd like to use this statement in the letters that I am preparing to send. Thanks again.

[Jaswant Singh]

To all parents who are familiar with navigating the Vancouver School Board system: My 7 year old son and I really need YOUR HELP and guidance.

We have tried working with the VSB system and their generic SSW support personnel but we have achieved minimal success. To date, despite my son being officially registered as a full-day Grade 1 student, the school has kept him from attending even until noon. Since September, he has been attending only until recess each morning (~quarter days). The exception occurred last week when the regular SSW was away sick for a week and they brought in a substitute SSW who then supported my son until noon. Fortunately, the school also allowed my Lead therapist to visit at the same time and she helped the substitute SSW establish an effective routine. My son’s teacher acknowledges that this one week was a very successful one for my son. I now know that my son can be productively engaged in educational activities at school when given the right support. I have tried working with the principal on this issue but he appears unwilling to acknowledge and accommodate the fact that his cadre of SSWs are ill-equipped to effectively support my son.

What do I need to do to bring about a change that will see my son properly supported at school preferably by one of my ABA therapists? I know that at least one other parent has successfully managed to do this. Who should I talk to next at the VSB if I can’t get anywhere with the school principal? Please advise. I would so very much appreciate your help with this. I feel so stressed, hurt, angry and outraged by how my son has been marginalized and "written-off" by his school that I have to do something about it. Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Jaswant Ranu

PS. I recall coming across a quote a few years back that said something to the effect that "the true measure of a democracy is in its treatment of its most disadvantaged citizens." Does anyone know who said this and what were the actual words?? I'd like to use this statement in the letters that I am preparing to send. Thanks again.

[Jaswant Singh]

**ABA THERAPIST(S) NEEDED IN SOUTH VANCOUVER**

This is a special request to all parents and ABA therapists:

We are a family from South Vancouver (near Main & Marine) that is seeking some short term help in the form of 1 or 2 experienced ABA therapists, to work with our 7 year old son for the months of July & August. Due to some last minute changes in team availability (i.e., summer vacations, classes, etc.), we're short on TXs for facilitating our son's summer daycamp activities as well as undertaking some home therapy. Our program is being supervised by Kim Kirsch of EAP.

If you are a therapist who has extra capacity this summer and can possibly help us out, it would be sincerely appreciated if you can contact me at "cdranu@yahoo.com"

Or if you are a fellow parent who may know of a suitable person, please email me or pass this message on to your therapist(s). Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Jaswant

[Jaswant Singh]

Thanks for the tax tips, Nancy and Milburn.

I've got a "dumb" question to ask anyone out there who may know. Is the $10,000 limit for child care expenses, PER CHILD or PER FAMILY?

In other words, in my case where I've got twin boys, is the child care expense limit $20,000 (i.e., $10,000 per son) or just $10,000 in total?

Many thanks!

Sincerely
Jaswant
cdranu@yahoo.com

[Jaswant Singh]

Lead Therapist Position Available for 1 (or 2) Wonderful 6 year old Boys

Are you currently a Lead Therapist looking for more rewarding work or an experienced ABA therapist who is just itching to take the leap to the next level in your ABA career? If so, we have the perfect position(s) for you!

Our sons' ABA programs have been underway since 2005 under the supervision of the Early Autism Project and great success has been achieved. Due to university graduation related issues, our Lead Therapist positions will become available in April and we're looking for 1 or 2 quality individuals to step in and take over these responsibilities. Enthusiasm and commitment are key qualities we are seeking. In addition to in-home ABA sessions, our sons' therapy programs include outings, camps and peer play activities. Responsibilities will include working two ABA sessions per week, overlapping other team members, preparing for and participating in 1 (or 2) team meetings per month and completing various administrative tasks. We live in South Vancouver near Main St. & Marine Drive and pay will be commensurate with experience.

If this is of interest to you, please email Jaswant at "c d r a n u @ y a h o o . c o m". Thanks!

[Jaswant Singh]

This is a special request to all parents and experienced ABA therapists:

A family from South Vancouver (near Main & Marine) URGENTLY needs some help in finding 1 or 2 experienced ABA therapists to help their 6 year old son for the month of August.

Our son will be entering Grade 1 full time this September and his therapy hours will be cut back accordingly. August will be our last chance to really work with him intensively to help him be as prepared as possible for his new school year. Unfortunately, we're going to be seriously short of therapists in August due to a variety of odd reasons. We're looking for some short term help from experienced ABA therapists who may have some extra capacity next month.

If you are a therapist who can possibly help us out, it would be sincerely appreciated if you can contact me at " c d r a n u @ y a h o o . c o m "

Or if you are a fellow parent who may know of a suitable person, please email me or pass this message on to your therapist(s). Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Jaswant

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