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Maureen St. Cyr
Member***THERAPIST NEEDED for WEST VANCOUVER team***
Fabulous opportunity to work with one of the leading consultants of our time on one of the most experienced teams in B.C.
Our 12-year-old daughter's Lovaas-ABA program is 8 years strong and still growing. This gorgeous, affectionate, energetic girl is a challenge and a pleasure to work with, and you will likely learn as much as she does along the way.
Programming is under the supervision of Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam. Currently available are two afternoon shifts, with mandatory semiweekly team meetings, every other Monday.
Lovaas-ABA experience is preferred but high energy and a fun, upbeat attitude are essential!
Interested candidates, please email a resume with your phone number and a good time to reach you to ATeam93@shaw.ca
MemberThe Early Autism Project (EAP) is doing another round of
their line therapist training sessions, if anyone is interested
or knows someone who is interested. There is an
introductory/junior course and an advanced course. Details
are:Junior/Line Therapist class:
When: January 31, 2004 from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Where: The Early Autism Project, ULC, 103-3991 Henning
Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N5, 604-473-5011What: For therapists performing early intervention
treatment for children with autism. This class will address
several topics that outline the basic foundation for junior
therapists to increase their skills in Lovaas-style ABA
therapy. Therapists will learn the basics of Discrete Trial,
information on very basic behaviour modifications, tips on
reinforcement, etc. This is not a class to teach probing
techniques or a forum to troubleshoot specific case
information. Completion of the class does not imply that
EAP endorses the therapist nor does it prepare the therapist
to be a Senior Therapist. It is a basic, informational training
course designed to sharpen therapy skills. Therapists
should come prepared with paper and pen to take notes.
The Line Training Class will take approximately four hours
to complete; two hours of discussion and two hours of
participation. We will cover not only the areas listed above
but also provide a chance for therapists to get individual
work time with an EAP Supervisor in order to hone their
skills and ask questions regarding therapy or working with
children with autism. The class will hopefully be an
invaluable tool to new therapists and those already hired.How: Contact Sean Bozosi at EAP – 604-473-5011
How Much: $50 by credit card or cheque made payable to
Early Autism Project, ULC.Advanced Line Therapist class:
When: February 21st, 2003 from 9 a.m. -1 p.m.
Where: The Early Autism Project, ULC, 103-3991 Henning
Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6N5, 604-473-5011What: For individuals performing early intervention
treatment for children with autism. In order to attend this
class, an individual must either have attended the first Line
Training Class with EAP, have one year of experience
performing Lovaas-style early behavioural intervention and
currently be working with two children diagnosed with an
ASD, or have consent from the senior staff at EAP.
This class will not only cover higher-level discrimination
training but also delve into advanced prompting and
reinforcement strategies: such as shaping, chaining and
reinforcement assessments. In addition, a brief overview on
how to effectively carry out play programming will also be
provided. This class will not present an opportunity to
troubleshoot specific case questions. Completion of the
class does not imply that EAP endorses the therapist nor
does it prepare attendees to be Senior Therapists. The
goals of the course are to sharpen therapy skills, broaden
the knowledge of techniques used in the ABA format, and
increase the effectiveness of each individuals therapy.
Therapists should come prepared to take notes.
The Advanced Line Training Class will span four hours; two
of which will be discussion and the other two hours are for
practical application exercises. During the participation
time, attendees will work directly with an EAP Consultant to
ask questions and receive feedback on their
demonstrations.How: Call Sean Bozosi at 604-473-5011
How much: $50 by credit card or cheque made payable to
Early Autism Project, ULCMemberHi all…I've been asked to pass this along by the folks at
EAP. The Early Autism Project have been consultants to my
daughter since they were still all based out of Wisconsin,
and I am frankly thrilled that they moved here. BC needs
more Lovaas consultants of their integrity and character,
and this posting is a golden opportunity for any therapist
who fits the requirements and wants to make a career out
of helping our kids. Just my two cents worth — here's the
posting from EAP:———————
The Early Autism Project (EAP) is hiring for the position of
Supervisor. Intern training will begin on February 17th,
2004 and will run through May. Those accepted into the
training will go through a comprehensive four to five month
training program. The training protocol consists of working
with four or five children and their therapy teams under
weekly supervision, instruction in social, behavioural and
clinical programming for children with autism via Applied
Behavioural Analysis and weekly meetings with each Trainer
to go over feedback and discuss training as a whole.
Training expectations also cover attending mandatory
classes at the EAP Clinic twice weekly (Monday and
Wednesday mornings), assignments, exams, and
miscellaneous clinical and administrative aspects.Any interested applicant should contact the Early Autism
Project clinic at 604.473.5011 and speak with Kathy Schutt,
EAP Administrator. Kathy will then schedule a first interview
with Jennifer Newland and Sean Bozosi. First interviews are
being held on January 13-14th. The deadline for
scheduling interviews with Kathy is January 7th, 2004. Prior
to applying, each applicant must have an undergraduate
degree in a related field as well as 2000 hours of
experience performing ABA therapy with children diagnosed
with an autism spectrum disorder.Before scheduling an interview with Kathy, each applicant
must submit, in one envelope or folder, the following:
o A resume with cover letter
o A list of children they have worked with that should not
include names but should include:
– Age of child at start of employment
– Gender
– Length of employment with each child
– Therapist status with each child (if a Line, Senior, etc.)
– Consultants and/or Treatment Providers worked with
o Background check
o Three letters of reference
– Two must be from current or previous families of
employment
– At least one from another professional (teacher,
consultant, etc.)We look forward to meeting those that are interested in
advancing their career with a team of clinicians in the field
of Applied Behavioural Analysis. If you have any questions
feel free to contact the EAP clinic and ask to speak with
either Jennifer or Sean. Thank you for your interest.Sean Bozosi Jennifer Newland
Senior Supervisor Senior Supervisor
Early Autism Project, ULC Early Autism
Project, ULCMemberI know you've probably tried this already, Nancy, but have
you asked around your local schools? Both of those titles
you mentioned are games that my twosome had access to
in their school. You might be able to at least take a look at
them that way. The other suggestion I can make is to hit the
malls and look for one of those games stores — they come
in different names by area. Some of them are set up so kids
can try out the games before buying it — there's nothing
saying moms can't try them out too :-)Avery
MemberMore nice news today from our friends in the east. From
today's Toronto Sun newspaper:————————————
Autistic kids win injunction
Therapy to continue until ruling on funding
By KEVIN MASTERMAN, TORONTO SUNIntensive specialized therapy for 10 autistic children should
continue, an Ontario court ruled yesterday in another blow
to government policy to cut off funding for the youngsters
when they turn six. It is the second such injunction granted
to maintain therapy while cases launched by the children's
parents are pending in court."The evidence satisfies me that each of the minor plaintiffs
will suffer irreparable harm if the injunction were not
granted," wrote Madam Justice Backhouse in her decision.She wrote that although the government has concerns due
to "scarce resources," they must continue therapy during
the wait for a January court date."Although money is an important concern, it is not
anywhere near as an important concern as the welfare of
these autistic children," Backhouse wrote. "A 2 1/2-month
interruption in their therapy could prove disastrous."Families with autistic children continue to fight the
government policy in a lawsuit and in human-rights
complaints, claiming the policy is discriminatory and runs
contrary to the principles of medicare.A member of the latest injunction case, Carolyn Borgstadt,
said her son, Cameron, who faced having funding cut off in
two weeks on his sixth birthday, will now continue
treatment.At 30 hours a week, the therapy costs over $50,000 a year.
The government picks up half the tab."I've seen people going broke, selling houses, and some
having to stop and seeing their children suffer," said
Borgstadt, who was the only member of the lawsuit to still
have funding in place for her child.Cameron, diagnosed with a moderate case of autism at age
three, needs the sessions to keep focused on learning, his
mother said.In two more years he'll be able to attend normal classes,
she said.MemberWhen looking for consultants, try not to be scared off by
their waiting lists. The best and brightest will always have
waiting lists for obvious reasons. First of all, once you find
some names you respect, get on ALL of their waiting lists.
You can take the one that comes up first, and remember
you aren't MARRIED to your consultant. If it doesn't work
out to be best fit for your child, you can move on and no
bonafide consultant will do anything other than wish you
well. If you have a particular consultant you really want,
then go after them and waiting list be damned. Remember,
things change. They may have a child move out of town
tomorrow and suddenly have an opening. Or a new
consultant joins their group and suddenly they have room
to clear the waiting list. It happens. Call every couple of
weeks and see how things are going. SELL them your kid (I
kid you not). Consultants are human beings too — wouldn't
you rather work with a child who has parents you know are
motivated to do the best job possible, rather than, as
Shelley Davis once put it, parents who think Lovaas-ABA is
like skating lessons? Go for it. Instead of worrying about the
length of the waiting list, just get on it now. You'll probably
find it's the fastest route to success. Just remember lesson
number one — never panic and accept the "help" of one of
the government's pack of quacks…that kind of "treatment"
is worse than none at all.Cheers,
Avery
Ariel's Dad
Sixth Year, Third Consultant, Loving Every Minute of ItMemberWell, it's rather serendipitous to see your post today,
Michelle, since you and we shared consultants way back
when we were still residing in the same province, and since
it's Ariel's birthday today…The little monster is 10 years
old, which means she's now been in program for a little
more than 6 years. Where does the time go? I'm not
generally one to talk a lot about Ariel here, but today was
just so damn fine I have to crow a little.Ariel is in grade four now. Her aide is fantastic, and her
classmates love her to bits. Today they sang Happy
Birthday and Ariel actually blew the candles out. She came
home happy as a clam and then went off to her swimming
lessons, which she can't get enough of and is actually
learning to swim this time (third time in lessons). Earlier
this year she started learning to bicycle in earnest –
probably still not as expert as Aaron, but getting there. And
have I mentioned she's actually asking for things she wants
now? In English and everything?You should know this is not a child who was "mild" on the
spectrum. The so-called experts told me she'd never talk
and tried to bully me into augmented communication
devices and sign language "so she'd be able to
communicate her needs."It's been a long hard climb, and it's not over yet by a long
shot, but my little darling is talking to me, and learning,
and laughing, and getting more independent every day. It's
9:30 now, and Ariel has already opened her presents,
played with them, and just trundled off to bed for the night.
Somehow the 10th anniversary of her entry into this world
seems like a good time for reflecting how we've gotten to
here from there.Thank you Jean, for sitting at my dining room table for two
hours that afternoon long ago, telling Maureen and I what
we needed to hear…and what no one else was saying.Thank you Michelle, for helping us afford those early days
by splitting the cost of flying consultants from far away
Yankee cities…and for showing me how resourceful one
can be when one needs to be.Thank you David Chan, for being the cheerleader you are,
and keeping up that incredibly positive attitude no matter
how much crap came your way.Thank you Dave Bridges, and Nancy Walton, and Debra
Antifaev, for training Ariel's school aides so well…I owe you
all…Thank you Barbara Rodrigues, for being the gutsiest of us
all…I still don't know how you do it…and to Robin for
blazing a trail and always keeping the faith, right up to
now.Thank you Rachel, for that first training workshop that
trained Ariel's first team, all at once, and me to boot, and
for making me laugh at the same time…Thank you Catherine for overseeing our greenies when we
couldn't find a senior and thank you Janet for finding the
keys to getting stubborn Ariel on side…and thank you
Claire and Denise and Tracey and Elisa and Aliya who were
there for Ariel in those earliest days, and everyone who
came afterward, up to Noel and Yanina and Brandy today.Thank you Shannon, wherever you are, for starting the task
of programming a life for Ariel. Thank you Jennifer for
proving my little girl was indeed going to talk, and for
always being here for my family.Thank you Chris and Birgitta, for doing more for all of our
children than anyone *without* a child with autism ever has
or will.Thank you to all the marvelous FEAT families I have met
over the years…you have been an inspiration to me.And last and most, thank you Sabrina and Isaac. In the
midst of doing for us all, and doing for your own, you
always find the time to do for Ariel and me. I will always be
grateful.Avery
MemberScanner tip: Back to our materials thread for a moment, this
is a little trick for scanning one side of a sheet that's
printed on two sides — for example, a newspaper page,
magazine page, catalog, etc. If you just slap the sheet on
the scanner bed, you'll find the back side of the sheet
bleeds through on the scan. The cure is to simply place the
sheet you want to scan on the bed, then place a sheet of
black construction paper on top of it, then close the
scanner. The black sheet behind the scanned sheet keeps
the backside of the page from bleeding through.MemberThis is really turning out to be a fabulous thread on tips for
creating materials. I think there's a lot of stuff here that
new parents could really use…I'm going to wait a day or
three and see how many more of us want to chime in with
hot tips, and then I'll volunteer to assemble them all into a
single PDF that can be made available to new parents…or
old parents looking for new tricks — I've picked up a few
already (Clear Mac Tac? Who knew? I thought it only came
in 'Rumpus Room Wall Paneling' :-)…Avery
MemberThis must be my me-too day :-)
Laminators are very handy, especially if your darling one
likes to handle materials as much as Ariel does. Couple of
things I've learned over the years…First make sure you get
a laminator that does full width lamination pouches —
letter size or legal size. They cost a little more, but you can
use the big pouches, which means laminating a whole sheet
of cards at a time. You can cut them up afterward and the
cost of doing 6-8 cards on a single sheet is a lot less than
buying card-size pouches and using 6-8 of them. Another
place you can sometimes save money is at school. Many
schools have industrial size laminators on site, and if your
child is already in school and needs materials there, your
aide should be able to get use of it, as well as the use of
printers and etc. If you have to, you will send materials to
school, but these are legitimate expenses for the school on
your child's behalf, so don't do it before you ask them to
foot that bill.One last note about printers — laser printers are coming
down in price all the time. They are still much more
expensive than inkjets, but an inkjet printer is like a razor
— they'll basically give you the handle because they know
they'll be hosing you on the blades. Ink costs much more
per page than laser toner, and you can make it even
cheaper by getting your toner cartridges refilled. For black
and white materials, I strongly recommend a laser printer,
as they are not really that much more expensive than an
inkjet. If you can afford to spring for a color laserprinter,
like the HP 1500 or 2500, do — especially if your child is
just starting out. I must have gone through a thousand
dollars in ink cartridges before finally biting the bullet and
going laser. -
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