ACT News

New: “ACT’s Guide to Employment for Teens and Adults with Autism in B.C.”

After over a year of research, ACT is publishing The Guide to Employment for Teens and Adults with Autism in B.C. The guide provides teens and adults with autism, and their families, with details of B.C.’s employment services, both public and privately funded. The guide also has much that is relevant to other special needs. It can be found on the ACT website as Chapter 12 in ACT’s Autism Manual for B.C. Funding for this guide was made possible by a grant from Autism Speaks Canada.

Increasingly the need for employment is being recognized as crucial to ensuring quality of life for people with disabilities. The provincial government declared September as Disability Employment Month in B.C.

600 RASP Professionals: A Milestone

In September, the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP) reached an important milestone; there are now over 600 professionals on the RASP, including Behavior Consultants, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists. To mark this achievement, here are some RASP facts:

• The RASP is the only such listing of professionals working with children under 6 with ASD in North America. Australia is the only other country that has a similar registry.
• The RASP Search Tool receives the most traffic of any section of the ACT website, with about 36% of the ACT website’s page views in September.
• The largest group of professionals on the RASP is Speech-Language Pathologists (238) and the smallest group is Physical Therapists (17).
• The most northerly B.C. city served by a RASP Occupational Therapist is Fort St. John.
• All Category A Behavior Consultants added to the RASP since 2013 had, or have acquired, certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, although it is not a requirement.
• There are fewer Category B Behavior Consultants (43) than Category A (162) listed on the RASP.

For more information on the RASP, visit www.actcommunity.ca/rasp/ 

A Reminder to RASP Professionals – Review Your RASP Listing

In September, ACT contacted all RASP professionals with a reminder that we can update availability online very quickly. We are hoping that if professionals can keep their listing up-to-date, they can save time by not having to respond to families they can’t serve. Parents often express to ACT Information Officers that they really appreciate not having to contact professionals who are not available.

If you are a professional on the RASP, you can review your record here. It is simple to update your listing online or you can contact Jeff Hoffman, RASP Administrative Assistant, at [email protected] or call 604-205-5467.

Parents can also contact Jeff Hoffman if they are not receiving a response from a RASP professional; ACT is happy to check whether the contact information is still current. Email[email protected].

RASP Professionals Can Share Criminal Record Check Results with ACT

Historically, ACT has requested professionals on the RASP who are members of professional colleges to provide new Criminal Record Checks (CRCs) directly to ACT. Recently the Ministry of Justice began allowing professionals who are members of professional colleges to share these results with ACT. Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists who are applying to the RASP can request a shared CRC through the Sharing Results area of the Ministry of Justice website. If you have questions, contact Jeff Hoffman, RASP Administrative Assistant at [email protected].

New Social Thinking Article Available on ACT in Chinese

社交思考、 整合執行功能和心理衛生： 社交、學業與情緒的相互影響 (“Social Thinking, Executive Functioning and Mental Health: The Interplay of the Social Mind, the Academic Load and Emotions”) is now available on the ‘ACT in Chinese’ page of the ACT website. 社交思考、 整合執行功能和心理衛生： 社交、學業與情緒的相互影響. The article, authored by Michelle Garcia Winner and translated by ACT Information Officer Christine Hung, briefly explains what social executive function is and how it can influence not only academics but also mental health.

Visit ACT in Chinese/自閉症社區訓練協會at: www.actcommunity.ca/act-in-chinese/

ACT is Recruiting New Event Volunteers!

Did you know that the individuals who help with registration at ACT events are often volunteers? Typical volunteer duties include on-site check-in and distributing feedback forms. Event volunteers receive free registration for the workshop and a certificate of attendance. Please note that there are a limited number of volunteer spots available for each event. Priority will be given to students, family members and para-professionals. For more information, please email Selina Lai, Event Planner, ([email protected]) or visitwww.actcommunity.ca/volunteer

ACT’s Fall Events in Kamloops and Vancouver

October 2nd, 2015 − Kamloops
Advocacy Tools for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Presented by Deborah Pugh

October 3, 2015 − Kamloops 
Positive Behavior Support: What Parents Need to Know!
Presented by Brenda Fossett, PhD, BCBA-D

October 23rd, 2015 − Vancouver 
Thriving in Youth with ASD – What Does it Take? 
Presented by Jonathan Weiss, PhD

November 7th, 2015 − Vancouver 
Positive Behavior Support: What Parents Need to Know!
Presented by Brenda Fossett, PhD, BCBA-D

November 20th, 2015 − Vancouver 
Advocacy Tools for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Presented by Deborah Pugh

November 21st, 2015 − Vancouver 
Taking Control of the Future – Planning for Families with Special Needs 
Presented by Blair Dwyer & Layli Antinuk, Dwyer Tax Law, Victoria

December 5th, 2015 − Vancouver 
Faster than a Speeding Bullet: iPads in Autism Intervention
Presented by Brenda Fossett, PhD, BCBA-D

Free Events in Punjabi

These free evening events will be presented in Punjabi at the SFU Surrey Campus, adjacent to the Surrey Central Skytrain Station. This series has been organized by ACT’s South Asian Autism Awareness Committee. Thanks to Manpreet Singh, Parbs Bains, Kavita Kamat, Sheija Abraham, Preetinder Narang, Balbinder Gill, and Raminder Kaur for their assistance. Download the poster for details. Register online for free at www.actcommunity.ca/events or call 604-205-5467 to reserve your seat.

These events are sponsored by a grant from Autism Speaks Canada.

October 13, 2015 – Surrey, ਸਰੀ, BC
The Individualised Education Plan (IEP)—what the school is supposed to do and how the parent can support the IEP process (in Punjabi). Presented by Raminder Kaur, Behaviour Consultant, posAbilities

November 17^th, 2015 Surrey, ਸਰੀ, BC
Advocacy Tools for Parents— how to help your child get the services they need (in Punjabi) Presented by Deborah Pugh, Executive Director, ACT

December 1st, 2015 Surrey, ਸਰੀ, BC
One Parent’s Journey in Autism— the important role that family plays in supporting their child with autism (in Punjabi) Presented by Sunita Braich, Integration Support Teacher, Surrey School District.

The MCFD Parent Handbook – New Policies on Eligible Expenses

The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has updated the MCFD Parent Handbook, including revisions of the Eligible and Non-Eligible expenses. The new travel expense policy allows families to claim up to $150 a night of their autism funding for hotel costs when travelling for therapy or training. There is also a new section on information for Service Providers. The MCFD Handbook is available online.

A Teen’s Guide to Understanding and Communicating with People with Autism – a short film

Alexandra Jackman, a 16 year old from New Jersey, has created a 14 minute film, A Teen’s Guide to Understanding and Communicating with People with Autism. The video promotes understanding, acceptance and empathy toward individuals with autism, especially teenagers. Alexandra’s goal is to embrace all persons with autism as valuable. ACT has reviewed the video and we think it is suitable as an anti-bullying and awareness tool in middle and high schools. It is available on the Autism Information Database (AID): www.actcommunity.ca/resource/2623/

Post-Secondary Opportunities – New ABA Courses at Capilano University

Starting in January 2016, Capilano University is offering two new courses in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA):

• ABA 100 Introduction to Behavior Principles is an excellent course for parents, SEAs, BIs, and others interested in learning about the science of human behavior.
• ABA 101 Observation Practicum will allow students to sample a variety of clinical settings including early childhood/preschool, school aged, adult services and a recreational setting.

For more information on these courses and how to apply, contact Dr. Richard Stock, BCBA-D, ([email protected]).

Community Notes

Sensory Friendly Screenings (Oct 10, Nov 13, Dec 12, Jan 9)

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

BI Training in Kelowna (October), Surrey (November) and Prince George (November)

Registration is open for the Autism Society of B.C.’s (ASBC) fall Behavioural Interventionist Basics Training workshop series. The two-day training event, which cover the basic and intermediate levels of the implementation of behavioral autism treatment, will be held in Kelowna (October 17^th/18^th), Surrey (November 7^th/8^th) and Prince George (November 28^th/29^th). Members receive discounted rates but space is limited – sign up online.

UBC’s CIRCA lectures (Oct 29, Nov 17, Dec 8)

UBC’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) is hosting three lectures this fall.

• October 29^th – “Dotted or Horse Spotted”: Adventures in Pragmatics
• November 17^th – In Their Own Words: The Experiences of Students with High-Functioning Autism Attending College or University
• December 8^th – An Overview of Comprehensive Applications of Behavior Analysis to Schooling (CABAS®)

For details, download the CIRCA notice (pdf).

CommunityWorks Registration Opens November 23^rd at CAN

Canucks Autism Network (CAN) is the B.C. partner for the federally-funded, national CommunityWorks Program . CommunityWorks provides an opportunity for teens (15-21yrs) with autism to volunteer alongside typical peers in a variety of community settings to develop work skills and build communication and social skills. Registration will be open for the winter session of CommunityWorks from Monday, November 23rd at noon until noon on Friday, November 27^th. For more information see the CAN website.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks Canada

Sunny weather and a beautiful venue at Swangard Stadium set the scene for a brisk walk to support Autism Speaks Canada in Burnaby’s Central Park on Sunday, September 27^th. ACT’s Executive Director, Deborah Pugh spoke to the crowd about the ACT projects that Autism Speaks Canada has supported over the last four years. Currently, these include:

• The work of ACT’s South Asian Autism Action Project (ASAAP) which is holding three events this fall in Surrey (see above ordownload the poster), as well as publishing the Next Steps Guide in Punjabi (already available in Chinese).
• Guide to Employment for Teens and Adults with Autism in B.C., Chapter 12 of ACT’s Autism Manual for B.C.

Watch for all of the new Walk Now for Autism Speaks Canada’s community walks in neighbourhoods all over BC! Checkwww.autismspeaks.ca for updates on towns and venues.

Autism in the Media

• Autism’s Hidden Gifts (The Atlantic)
• ADHD symptoms can delay autism diagnosis for years (Autism Speaks)
• Mom says she was duped by stranger after posting ‘amazing’ video of autistic son (CBC, Go Public)
• Weakness? Forget that. Autism is his strength (The Now newspaper)
• Adult, Autistic and Ignored (Opinion, New York Times)
• Third grader explains his autism to class in moving speech (Global News)
• We’ve spent $1bn on autism research – but the tangible benefits are elusive (The Guardian)
• My son with autism started texting and it’s brilliant (blog posting at Autism Speaks)

Follow ACT on Facebook to receive these stories and more.

ACT News

Funding for Online Mental Health Training Program for Professionals

The 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 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:

• June 6, Prince George Positive Behavior Support: What Parents Need to Know! With Brenda Fossett, PhD, BCBA-D – using PBS to make a difference in quality of family life and inclusion at home and in the community.
• July 10 & 11, Vancouver Early Intervention with Very Young Children at Risk of ASD with Laurie Vismara, PhD, BCBA-D (BC-ABA will be offering 5 CEUs per day for this workshop).
• July 20 – 24, Vancouver Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders – Practical Applications for School-Age Children (POPARD) with Dr. Kenneth Cole, R.Psych – a 30-hour, hands-on course reflecting current research and evidence-based practice. A requirement for teaching assistants in many school districts.
• July 29 & 30, Vancouver SMILE – Structured Methods in Language Education with Dr. Enid Wolf-Schein and Rhonda Bachman – teaching speech, reading and writing skills to children with diverse special needs.
• July 31, Vancouver Strategies for Working with Young Children with Autism: Supporting Slower Responders with Dr. Richard Stock – refining ABA techniques for the needs of individual learners. (BC-ABA will be offering 6 CEUs for this workshop.)
• August 13- 15, Vancouver PEERS® Certified School-Based Training – Laugeson is back by popular demand – PEERS Certification available for qualified attendees.
• August 17 – 21, Vancouver Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders – Practical Applications for School-Age Children (POPARD) with Dr. Kenneth Cole, R.Psych – 30-hour, hands-on course reflecting current research and evidence-based practice.
• September 17 & 18, Vancouver Social Thinking and Mental Health Frameworks – Blending Strategies to Reach Our Students with Nancy Clements, MA, CCC-SLP and Nancy Cotton, PhD, both from the Social Thinking Collective. How the iLaugh model, the Four Steps of Communication and Four Steps of Perspective Taking can help with social processing difficulties.

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

Looking 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)

The 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

• Who decides where autistic adults live? (The Atlantic)
• Ottawa hospital spends millions to house people with autism (CBC News)
• UBC students’ invention can warn parents of autistic meltdowns (Globe and Mail)
• Kate Mouland’s photos show autistic child’s view of world (CBC News)
• Music helps DJ with autism find his voice (CBC)
• Pilot makes emergency landing to kick autistic girl off plane (Global News)
• Autism reveals problems in how we measure success (Time Magazine)
• Autistic man finds niche at Bastion Square (Victoria News)

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:

• Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI)
• Autism Speaks discussed the following studies
  • Brain Imaging Produces New Insights into Autism – Anxiety Connection
  • Autism Study Associates Success in Adulthood with Self-Care Skills
  • Autism Creates Greater Behavioral Change in Girls

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 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 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

There 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 28^th 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

Join 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.