ACT News and Resources

June News Round-Up

ACT News

New RASP Category – Supervised-Speech Language Pathologist

The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has approved a new RASP category, Supervised Speech-Language Pathologist (Supervised S-LP), effective June 30, 2015. The intent is to increase capacity by allowing S-LPs new the area of autism the opportunity to gain experience with children with ASD under the age of six, under the supervision of an SLP who has experience. The Supervised S-LP will be able to invoice the Autism Funding: Under 6 program.

New Autism Video @ ACT

Navigating Puberty, Adolescence and Beyond: Supporting Individuals with Neuro-Developmental Challenges – available free of charge, and on demand!

Presented by Joy Becker, RN, BSN

Joy Becker uses humour and insight to provide parents, caregivers, and professionals a foundation for teaching individuals with ASD and/or other special needs about sexuality and their bodies. This video is geared to individuals with age-appropriate language skills and includes information about the sexual development of children, and the information they should understand at various stages of their development. It is designed to address the anxieties caregivers and parents may experience when they discuss sexuality with their children. Education can help children and young adults develop safe relationships and protect them from sexual exploitation, which is more likely to happen if children with special needs are not provided information.

Joy Becker, RN, BSN is a nurse educator who draws on many years of experience in educating teenagers with special needs. She emphasizes the importance of parents as the primary sexuality educators of their children. Ms. Becker has two sons on the autism spectrum and lives in Nanaimo.

Access all 16 of ACT’s videos online at www.actcommunity.ca/videos. These free videos can be viewed on your computer or mobile device. Each video is edited into smaller chunks, so you can watch a few segments at a time on a range of topics including:

Job Posting – Information Officer

ACT Information Officers provide information, support and referral services to families raising children with ASD. This position, based in our Burnaby office, is full time, temporary to November 2016. There is potential for it to become a permanent position. Ideally, the successful candidate will begin work in August 2015. If you have any questions, or to request a job description, [email protected]. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “ACT Information Officer” in the subject line.

Accessing Services in Smaller or Isolated Communities.

We know that large areas of British Columbia are underserved, without enough local professionals available. Below, you’ll find a few suggestions – if you have any other ideas please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Pool Your Autism Funding to Bring in Professionals

Travel is expensive: instead of families each paying travel costs, consider bringing up a professional to see multiple families over one or two days, sharing the travel and hotel costs. You can search the RASP to find who is willing to travel.

FaceTime or Other Videoconferencing

As technologies improve, electronic communication can be used to maintain support between visits. Some families and professionals consult by video conferencing on their tablet or smart phone. Did you know that you can search the RASP for professionals who use videoconferencing?

Call our office and ask to speak to an Information Officer for more ideas on connecting with parents and professionals (1-866-939-5188).

Upcoming Live Events (July – October)

July 10 & 11, 2015 − Vancouver

Early Intervention with Very Young Children at Risk of ASD – regular rated deadline July 2
Presented by Laurie Vismara, PhD, BCBA-D
An excellent presenter, Dr. Vismara is a leading clinician and researcher and one of the developers of the Early Start Denver Model. This event is highly recommended for all early interventionists. Bursaries are available.

July 29 & 30, 2015 − Vancouver
SMILE – Structured Methods in Language Education: A Multisensory Language Learning Program – Regular rate deadline – July 20th
Presented by: Enid Wolf-Schein, Ed.D., CCC-SLP & Rhonda Bachmann, M.S. Ed.
SMILE is a practical, fun, multi-sensory program that has been highly effective in helping children with a wide-range of special needs learn to read and speak.

July 31st, 2015 − Vancouver
Strategies for Working with Young Children with Autism: Supporting Slower Responders – Regular rate deadline July 20th
Presented by: Richard Stock, Ph.D., BCBA-D

August 13 – 15, 2015 − Vancouver
PEERS® Certified School-Based Training – July 9th deadline for regular rate and to apply for optional certification.
Presented by: Elizabeth Laugeson, PsyD

September 17 & 18, 2015 − Vancouver
Social Thinking and Mental Health Frameworks – Blending Strategies to Reach Our Students
Presented by: Nancy Clements, MA, CCC-SLP & Nancy Cotton, PhD, Social Thinking Collaborative

Informing ASD Research with Stakeholder Input

Dr. Weiss is the Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research, based at York University in Toronto. To find out more about Dr. Weiss’s work see this the video: “We want our research to resonate with people with ASD and their families.” Dr Weiss will be speaking for ACT in Vancouver on October 23rd: Thriving in Youth with ASD – What Does it Take?

Community Notes

Inclusion BC Survey for Youth & Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Is your family supporting an adult son or daughter with a developmental disability or a youth transitioning out of high school? Inclusion BC wants to better understand your experiences accessing funding or services for your son or daughter with developmental disabilities, in order to inform government decision makers of how people with developmental disabilities and their families access the funding and supports they need and deserve. Fill out the five minute survey here.

New Autism Wing at Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre

Congratulations to the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre on the opening of the new autism wing. Located in Williams Lake, the autism centre includes a component which mimics the layout of a family home to allow for the teaching life skills including, cooking and laundry. For more information, read this local news story.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks – Burnaby, Sept 27th

Join the free family fun at Walk Now for Autism Speaks Canada, which will be held at Swangard Stadium, in Central Park in Burnaby on September 27th. There will be a huge Kids Zone, free snacks, entertainment – more than ever before! Sign up a team and receive a captain’s keep sake!www.autismspeaks.ca

Free Lending Library at Canucks Autism Network

Did you know that the Canucks Autism Network has a library of over 800 autism-related books, games, manuals, and DVDs for parents, teachers, service providers, children and anyone looking to learn more about autism? They will ship resources to anyone living in BC, free of charge. To learn more and browse for resources, connect to CAN’s Library.

The Autism Society of BC Celebrates 40 years!

To commemorate 40 years since it was founded by a group of parents, keen to improve the lives of their children, the Autism Society of BC is offering free membership on its recently re-launchedwebsite. ASBC also welcomes Anya Walsh as the new Director of Operations. For more news and events: www.autismbc.ca.

Sensory-Friendly Screenings from Autism Speaks Canada

See the Cineplex website for upcoming Sensory Friendly Screenings in Langford, Langley and Richmond.

Post-Secondary Opportunities

Online Autism Training through Douglas College

Seats still available for Fall 2015. Are you a BI working with a child/youth in British Columbia? The MCFD sponsored Online Autism Training now accepts applicants from Vancouver and Victoria as well as rural and remote locations. Parents who want to support children with behaviour interventions based on the science of ABA are also welcome to apply: www.douglascollege.ca/autism-outreach

ABA Program at Capilano University

The Applied Behavior Analysis – Autism Department at Capilano University is still accepting applications for Fall 2015. They offer both a Bachelor’s and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in ABA-Autism and courses are available on-line for distance learning. For more information see their website or contact Dr. Richard Stock BCBA-D at [email protected]

Disability Tax Credit

The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps persons with disabilities or those who support them reduce the amount of income tax they may pay. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/dtc or call 1-800-959-8281.

Autism in the Media

New Autism Video @ ACT – Navigating Puberty and Beyond

Navigating Puberty, Adolescence and Beyond: Supporting Individuals with Neuro-Developmental Challenges

Is available free of charge, and on demand!

Presented by Joy Becker, RN, BSN

Joy Becker uses humour and insight to provide parents, caregivers, and professionals a foundation for teaching individuals with ASD and/or other special needs about sexuality and their bodies. It is geared to individuals with age-appropriate language skills and includes information about the sexual development of children, and the information they should understand at various stages of their development. It is designed to address the anxieties caregivers and parents may experience when they discuss sexuality with their children. Education can help children and young adults develop safe relationships and protect them from sexual exploitation, which is more likely to happen if children with special needs are not provided information.

Joy Becker, RN, BSN is a nurse educator who draws on many years of experience in educating teenagers with special needs. She emphasizes the importance of parents as the primary sexuality educators of their children. Ms. Becker has two sons on the autism spectrum and lives in Nanaimo.

Watch more free videos online

Access all 16 of ACT’s 16 videos online at www.actcommunity.ca/videos. These free videos can be viewed on your computer or mobile device. Each video is edited into smaller chunks, so you can watch a few segments at a time on a range of topics including:

Accessing Services in Smaller or Isolated Communities

We know that there are clear concerns that large areas of British Columbia are underserved, without enough local professionals available. These are issues that are of great concern to ACT. Here are a few suggestions which have worked with families in some communities. If you have any other ideas please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Pool Your Autism Funding to Bring in Professionals

It is expensive to fly or drive around B.C. Instead of five families each paying the travel costs, consider bringing up a professional to see multiple families over one or two days, sharing the travel and hotel costs. You can search the RASP to find who is willing to travel. You can call ACT and one of our information officers can help you in this search.

Things to consider:

  • The professional will have to be flexible enough to meet the needs of all the families involved. If they specializes in only one approach, they might not be the professional the community needs.
  • Meeting other families: is there a local Facebook or community group you can join? If not, start one (download our chapter on Building a Community Group).
  • Another great source of support is your local MCFD office which could circulate a request from a parent to others in your region providing the organizer’s contact information.

Call our office and ask to speak to an Information Officer for more ideas on connecting with parents and professionals (1-866-939-5188).

FaceTime or Other Videoconferencing

While the RASP professional could fly to smaller communities every several months, as technologies improve, electronic communication can be used maintain support between visits, and cost effectively. We are starting to hear more about families and professionals who consult using their tablet or smart phone. Did you know that you can search the RASP for professionals who use videoconferencing?

Things to Consider:

  • Sound quality: ambient noise can make it difficult  to hear. If possible, keep noise from TVs or radios down.
  • Following the action: it helps if you can “team up”, with one person interacting with the child, and another holding the tablet to track the action.
  • Light: Filming in daylight, or having more lights on will make it easier to see what’s going on. A dimly lit room can be hard to see participants.
  • If you are watching: the bigger your viewing screen, the better! If you can watch on a desktop monitor, you’ll get a much better view of what’s going on.
  • You might both be new to teleconferencing. You’ll learn what works best for each of you, and in the beginning, expect some bumps!

More ACT Events in Smaller Communities

ACT would like to travel and bring more workshops to a larger number of communities. However, the costs of travel for staff and speakers is very expensive and we do not receive any subsidies to provide this training. Sponsorships can make a big difference in helping us bring workshop to more communities across the province.  If you know of a company or organization that would be willing to sponsor us, please help us connect! We cannot accept sponsorship from organizations providing for-pay autism services as there may be a conflict of interest in ACT’s role in managing the RASP. Email [email protected] with your suggestions.

Job Posting – Information Officer with Knowledge of the South Asian Community

ACT Information Officers provide information, support and referral services to families raising children with ASD. This position is based in our Burnaby office and involves developing autism awareness and outreach to the South Asian community. Strong spoken Punjabi language skills and a knowledge of autism are requirements for this position. This contract position is 30-35 hours per week to the end of 2015, with the possibility of an extension. This position is funded through a grant from Autism Speaks Canada. If you have any questions, or to request a job description, contact [email protected]. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “ACT Information Officer” in the subject line.

May News Round-Up

ACT News

Funding for Online Mental Health Training Program for Professionals

BCLogoThe BC Government has announced that ACT – Autism Community Training is being funded to develop an online training program to help qualified health professionals to better recognize the mental-health challenges that often impact children and youth with autism.

ACT will work closely with the professional community to develop this online training resource to help meet the high level of demand for mental health professionals who are prepared to provide services for children with autism. We will report to the autism community on progress as the project takes shape.

ACT Events this Spring & Summer

act-events-iconACT is hosting many great events over the next few months; register early and save with early bird rates. Download the new ACT Calendar of Events (May – December 2015) or see below for upcoming summer events:

See ACT’s Live Events page for a full listing of 2015 events and to register online. Visit our website for information on bursaries and payment with your Autism Funds.

Job Posting – Information Officer with Knowledge of the South Asian Community

ACT Information Officers provide information, support and referral services to families raising children with ASD. This position is based in our Burnaby office and involves developing autism awareness and outreach to the South Asian community. Strong spoken Punjabi language skills and a knowledge of autism are requirements for this position. This contract position is 30-35 hours per week to the end of 2015, with the possibility of an extension. This position is funded through a grant from Autism Speaks Canada. If you have any questions, or to request a job description, contact [email protected]. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “ACT Information Officer” in the subject line.

Search ACT’s Autism Information Database (AID) for Summer Recreational Fun

submit-a-resourceLooking for a summer camp or other recreational activities for your child?  To see what is available in your community, check ACT’s very searchable online Autism Information Database (AID). There are over 130 listings to choose from, each with a short summary and current contact information.  Search using your postal code or city to find activities close to home!   If you know of a good summer program, that we haven’t listed, send it to us.

Call for Advisory Council Members for the Pacific Autism Family Centre (PAFC)

pafcThe Interim Executive Committee of the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation is forming a new Advisory Council for the Pacific Autism Family Centre Society. The Advisory Council will be the strategic body advising the Interim Executive Committee on service delivery and program design during the construction period of the Centre. There are opening for nominated members. For more information on the process, see the PAFC website.

Facing Your Fears: Free Anxiety Treatment Group

The Neuropsychiatry Clinic at B.C. Children’s Hospital invites applications for the “Facing Your Fears” therapy group specifically designed for the needs of 8-12 year olds with autism and clinically significant anxiety. They will begin screening families over the summer for groups running in the fall. Children, aged 8-12, must have average or above average verbal skills and a caregiver who can participate in the group. For full information, and to apply, call Julia Eng at 604-875-2345 ext. 2719. Questions? Call Dr. Melanie McConnell at 604-875-2345, ext. 5576.

Autism in the Media

Reports and Research

International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)

With over 1800 attendees from 30 countries, the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) is the largest research-focused autism conference in the world. Held each May, it is where autism researchers meet to share the results of their studies.

See some of the interesting results featured this year:

Study demonstrates that parents notice early signs of ASD

Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, one of Canada’s leading autism researchers, has provided further evidence that diagnosticians should pay attention to parental concerns when considering an autism diagnosis. Read more about this University of Alberta study.

Post-Secondary Programs

Bachelor or Post-Bac in ABA at Capilano University

capilano-university-logoCapilano University offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Post-Bac Diploma in Applied Behavior Analysis – Autism. There are still seats available for Fall 2015. Occasional students are also welcome and many classes are available on-line! Graduates of this program have very good job prospects and a high rate of acceptance to UBC’s Masters Program in Special Education. For more information, contact Dr. Richard Stock, BCBA-D at [email protected].

ASD programs at Douglas College

douglas-college-logoDouglas College also has four ASD related programs: Behaviour Intervention, Classroom and Community Support, Disability and ABA, and Employment Supports Specialty. Application deadlines are extended to June, most classes begin in September. All programs are for academic credit and can ladder into another as you move forward in your career. For more information: [email protected]

Douglas College’s BI Training Now Available in B.C.’s Urban Centres, Open to Parents

Are you a Behavior Interventionist working with a child or youth in British Columbia? Douglas College is now accepting applicants for their online autism training program from urban communities in B.C. This program, subsidized by BC’s Ministry of Children and Family Development, was originally limited to applicants from rural and remote locations but has been expanded. Parents who want to learn more about behaviour interventions based on the science of ABA, in order to work with their own children, are also welcome to apply.

Community Notes

Walk Now with Autism Speaks

autism-speaks-logoThere are ‘Walk Now’ walks in many communities throughout BC. Check the Autism Speaks website for all walk info and don’t forget to sign up for the Vancouver/Burnaby Walk Sept 27 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. www.autismspeaks.ca

Inclusive Education Award Winners

To highlight National Inclusive Education Month and to bring attention to the many positive examples of inclusive classrooms and schools across the country, the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) created a national certificate of recognition to be bestowed upon recipients who have made positive contributions to inclusive education in their province or territory. See the five 2015 winners here.

Canucks Autism Network participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge

Join CAN Sunday, June 28th at the Scotiabank 5K or Half Marathon. The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a fun opportunity for runners and walkers to raise funds for charities within their community. Canucks Autism Network is once again participating in the event. Run or walk while supporting families living with autism in British Columbia.

Free Apps4Kids Hackathon

ipad_mini_3_handJoin students, developers, physicians, parents and parent groups at the Apps4Kids Hackathon, a free event on June 12-19, 2015 at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UBC, in collaboration with professionals from the Department of Paediatrics at UBC and the Child Family Research Institute. The hackathon features groups of participants creating and refining apps that aim to solve medical care challenges for children and youth with chronic care needs, including children with autism.  If you are interested in participating or would like some more information, please visit hackathon-workshop.eventbrite.ca.

 

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