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Nancy Walton
ParticipantABA Support Network Parents have expressed interest in receiving training in the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis to better support their children involved in ABA programs. So, we will be offering a course called "ABA 101 for Family Members" which will be taught by consultants with degrees in ABA. The exact cost of the course will depend on how many people register and what grants the ABASN can get for this course. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn from experts in the field on how to improve your child's successes.
If you are interested in taking this parent course, please fill out this survey to help us better meet your needs as a parent. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QBSXPDV
Here is the rational (backed by research) for the course:
Children with autism may have more difficulty participating in activities of everyday family life: e.g., going out for dinner, grocery shopping, to a movie, self care skills, etc. Parents often find these activities stressful and worrying. Support from an ABA consultant can assist parents find strategies and systems that can help the child be successful. The goal of this course is to empower parents to implement effective strategies with their children to improve their quality of family life.
A large body of research has demonstrated that parents can effectively implement behavioral strategies to teach their children a variety of skills (Reagon & Higbee, 2009; Ingersoll & Gergans, 2005; Lafasakis & Sturmey, 2007); and to reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors (McIntyere, 2008; Rickert, Sottolano, Parrish, Riley, Hunt& Pelco, 1988). Additionally, increased parent involvement in the therapeutic process has been shown to result in decreased parental stress (Smith, Buch & Gamby, 2000), and improvements in generalization and maintenance of their childrens skills and improved behavior (Lovaas, Koegel, Simmons & Long, 1973).
References
Ingersoll, B. & Gergans, S. (2006). The effect of a parent-implemented imitation intervention on spontaneous imitation skills in young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities
Lafasakis, M. & Sturmey, P. (2007). Training parent implementation of discrete-trial teaching: effects on generalization of parent teaching and correct responding. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 685-689.
Lovaas, O., Koegel, R., Simmons, J., & Long, J. (1973). Some generalization and follow-up measures on autistic children in behavior therapy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6, 131-166.
McIntyre, L.L. (2008). Parent training for young children with developmental disabilities: Randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 113, 356-368.
Reagon, K.A. & Higbee, T.S. (2009). Parent-implemented script fading to promote play-based verbal initiations in children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 659-664.
Rickert, V.I., Sottolano, D.C., Parrish, J.M., Riley, A.W., Hunt, F.M. & Pelco, L.E. (1988). Trainign parents to become better behavior managers: The need for a competency-based approach. Behavior Modification, 12, 475-496.
Smith, T. Buch, G.A. & Gamby, T.E. (2000). Parent-directed, intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21 (4), 297-309.
ParticipantABA Support Network Parents have expressed interest in receiving training in the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis to better support their children involved in ABA programs. So, we will be offering a course called "ABA 101 for Family Members" which will be taught by consultants with degrees in ABA. The exact cost of the course will depend on how many people register and what grants the ABASN can get for this course. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn from experts in the field on how to improve your child's successes.
If you are interested in taking this parent course, please fill out this survey to help us better meet your needs as a parent. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QBSXPDV
Here is the rational (backed by research) for the course:
Children with autism may have more difficulty participating in activities of everyday family life: e.g., going out for dinner, grocery shopping, to a movie, self care skills, etc. Parents often find these activities stressful and worrying. Support from an ABA consultant can assist parents find strategies and systems that can help the child be successful. The goal of this course is to empower parents to implement effective strategies with their children to improve their quality of family life.
A large body of research has demonstrated that parents can effectively implement behavioral strategies to teach their children a variety of skills (Reagon & Higbee, 2009; Ingersoll & Gergans, 2005; Lafasakis & Sturmey, 2007); and to reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors (McIntyere, 2008; Rickert, Sottolano, Parrish, Riley, Hunt& Pelco, 1988). Additionally, increased parent involvement in the therapeutic process has been shown to result in decreased parental stress (Smith, Buch & Gamby, 2000), and improvements in generalization and maintenance of their childrens skills and improved behavior (Lovaas, Koegel, Simmons & Long, 1973).
References
Ingersoll, B. & Gergans, S. (2006). The effect of a parent-implemented imitation intervention on spontaneous imitation skills in young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities
Lafasakis, M. & Sturmey, P. (2007). Training parent implementation of discrete-trial teaching: effects on generalization of parent teaching and correct responding. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 685-689.
Lovaas, O., Koegel, R., Simmons, J., & Long, J. (1973). Some generalization and follow-up measures on autistic children in behavior therapy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6, 131-166.
McIntyre, L.L. (2008). Parent training for young children with developmental disabilities: Randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 113, 356-368.
Reagon, K.A. & Higbee, T.S. (2009). Parent-implemented script fading to promote play-based verbal initiations in children with autism. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 659-664.
Rickert, V.I., Sottolano, D.C., Parrish, J.M., Riley, A.W., Hunt, F.M. & Pelco, L.E. (1988). Trainign parents to become better behavior managers: The need for a competency-based approach. Behavior Modification, 12, 475-496.
Smith, T. Buch, G.A. & Gamby, T.E. (2000). Parent-directed, intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21 (4), 297-309.
ParticipantThe Surrey District ABA SW program is actually in the spirit of Hewko, in that it gave parents meaningful consultations. So, I agree with Dave Collyer, we have nothing against Hewko. I would venture to say that Surrey decided to listen BECAUSE of Hewko (although the decision hadn't been reached yet, but the court case was sending a clear message).
For example, the choice to have a criteria of 1000 hours was Surrey parents choice. It works for our district. We have no intention of imposing our choice on your district, Ducky, so you don't have to offend us for making that choice. What we do hope for other districts is that they consult meaningfully WITH PARENTS to design what works best for their children. So that systemic changes can take place that benefits all ABA children in the district.
Surrey parents advocated for their children just like anyone before us and anyone after us. Roxanne was the best of them. It was thanks to Roxanne's advocating that they hired the therapists before the course was taken. If she was prickly in her post, it's because she may have felt offended by comments that imply we do not advocate (I think Dave Chan just got caught in the cross fire). I'd like to point out to you, Ducky, that Roxanne put countless hours into the Medicare for Autism campaign, including leaving her children behind to go across the country during the last federal election.
It is important to learn to advocate. Jean's course is important. I, personally, am heartened to see it fill up. Because, quite frankly, the other districts are not getting the point. And, because if a parent does get an SEA or an ABA SW who does not have instructional control we want the parents to know how to get things changed.
The hard decision for parents in districts without ABA programs is what do you want to advocate for? What kind of policy or system do you want in place? Or do you want to simply have the right to your own therapist (which means families who don't have therapists have to go without)? When you decide on what you want to fight for, you have think about what will this look like 5 years from now? Every therapist who gets hired into the system, can not be fired when you are through with them. Do you think we'll abolish CUPE in 5 years? In 10 years?
There are, perhaps, two forms of advocacy. Fighting for your own child and fighting for all our children. I have focused on fighting for all our children, because if I were to die tomorrow, there will be no-one out there advocating for my child. Having said that, if anything goes wrong with my child, while I'm still alive, I'll be there to fight for him.
ParticipantThanks Dione,
I'd just like to add two things:The Surrey School district will hire a therapist BEFORE they have taken the Surrey College course. The therapist can take the course while already working in the schools. There are thus two categories, the Interim ABA Support Work (without course work) and the ABA Support Worker (who has completed course work).
Secondly, the website for the ABA Advisory to the Surrey School district is
http://sites.google.com/site/abaadvisory/
What makes Surrey different from the other districts? We had someone in the district who listened to us and then allowed us to be part of building the ABA Support Worker program. We are very grateful to Rick Ryan for being brave enough to change the entrenched traditions of how the school system deals with children with disabilities.
ParticipantThursday night, this week
The ABA Support Network Presents
The Birds and the Bees and ASD
Guest Speaker:
Kathryn Theroux, MS, RCC
ABLE Developmental Clinic
Kathryn Theroux, behavior consultant and registered clinical counselor, will join ABA Support Network on Thursday April 28 to discuss the challenging subject of sexuality and autism spectrum disorders. She will address whether and when to have "the talk," what to say, and how to say it, leaving plenty of time for audience input and questions.
Please join us to learn about this key aspect of human development and its impact on the treatment, education, and quality of life of individuals with ASD. Kathryn is well known for her informative, interactive presentations.
Date: Thursday, April 28, 2011
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex, 16555 Fraser Hwy
Use Arena entrance and go up stairs to MP Room #2
RSVP: dione@abasupportnetwork.comThe ABA Support Network is a parent run, non-profit society. Our mission is to improve access to Applied Behavioral Analysis support and treatment in the home and community for children, youth and adults who need it.
This is a free event.
Donations can be taken at the door or made on line at http://www.abasupportnetwork.com
Thank you for your support!
ParticipantHi everyone,
I'd like to welcome our new members to feat and thanks to the older members who have pitched in their experiences and have given the newer parents hope. A common theme is that it's important to network and important to get educated.The ABA Support Network and the Autism Society of BC hold monthly meetings with guest speakers. At these meetings, parents can educate themselves on ABA and parenting children with autism, and they can also meet other parents and get support.
At a recent ABA SN meeting, Katie Allen showed us recent research on three topics, one of which was how to best tackle eating problems. I have been heavily involved with my son's ABA program for 11 years and I learn something new at every talk that is presented.
I would like to encourage parents to join the ASBC and the ABA SN (the latter is free) and come to our meetings. The ABA SN also has neighbourhood groups where you can get support and guidance from others.
I know how busy it is when running a home based ABA program, but getting out to presentations and meeting other parents will be the best support you can get.
Hope to see many of you soon,
ParticipantAndrew, tell us where you live and give us a contact. Thanks.
ParticipantI have a teacher colleague who lives in Chilliwack and is interested in learning to do ABA. Please contact me if you are in need of a tutor. wiklo (at) shaw.ca
ParticipantShashi, I'm glad you like that website. We are all thankful to the dad who put this website out there for us.
Another good website is http://www.abasupportnetwork.com. The ABA Support Network is a parent run organization devoted entirely to supporting parents setting up home based ABA programs and improving access to quality ABA in all aspect of our children' lives. We have monthly presentations and have organized neighbourhood network groups. You can join for free and receive our notices for any ABA events or news.
ParticipantHi Sashi. I believe we got our doctor to fill out the form and I do not see why you would not be eligible. Also, you can backdate the disability credit to birth I think.
But I just want to pass on to you that there is great information on http://www.asdfunding.com regarding funding and tax issues in BC. Make sure to check it out.
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