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February 11, 2011 REACH Parent Network Weekly Newsletter.
Check out our new item category – TECHNOLOGY!
To submit for our newsletter or have a question for Pam to research please contact her at parentnetwork@reachdevelopment.org or 604-946-6622 ext 359
You can sign up at the Reach Child and Youth Development Society website to receive this newsletter directly.
1. Help a parent! Need to know something? Want to contact other parents? This is YOUR space:
· I’m wondering if any of you have a solution for this.... on accessible washrooms. I was at grouse mountain dropping my son off (13) for skiing...he needed to use the bathroom and needed help getting out of all the gear...the only accessible washrooms available were either in the men's washroom (which I’m sure the men wouldn’t be happy for me to go into nor would I want to) or the women’s washroom (which I don’t think I should be taking my 13 year old boy into (or better yet a 25 year old male if he is with a female worker and needed help) ). So how does accessibility work when you have a child or a client of the opposite sex. I approached the supervisor at the base of the mountain and posed the question to her and she had never thought of it so she took my concerns and said she would bring it to the managements attention ....so if you are a dad with your daughter going skiing....which bathroom do you use?.... I also noticed this at Costco when we needed to use the washroom there and when I asked them about it I got a blank look......and as I look around it appears to be quite common.....so. Are accessible washrooms really accessible? Please respond to momsonthemove@telus.net
2. NEWS
· In honour of International Anti-Bullying Day, two schools came together to create a message of Acceptance and challenge others to use social media as a positive tool. Spread the word! Anti-Bullying Flashmob January 2011 VANCOUVER BC Click here to watch the video!
· Click here to find out about PINK SHIRT DAY February 23, 2011 - Anti-Bullying Day
· Saviours in the Shadows: Grandparents Raising Kids. In BC alone, 10,000 children live with grandparents, many struggling for support. A special report. Click here to read more.
3. Reach Child and Youth Development Society
Reach News
CONGRATULATIONS REACH!
Reach on Facebook
Reach on Twitter
4. AUTISM
· Are you an adult with autism, or a family member of an adult with autism? Is the adult with autism in your family looking for a “Place to Call Home” or for permanent employment? Are you concerned about the future of your child/adult family member with autism; after you are no longer there to support them or care for them? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may want to attend this meeting. The Silver Lining Autism Cohousing Society is holding an introduction/information meeting on March 15, 2011 at 7:00pm, at the ABA Learning Centre, #1110-6900 Graybar Road, Richmond, B.C. V6W 0A5. Silver Lining Autism Cohousing Society was recently formed by five families who want a better future for the adult lives of their children. Click here to see the website for more information.
· An Outreach Clinic for ASD, ADHD and Mental Disorders will be held in Burnaby on Saturday April 30, 2011, hosted by the Great Plains Laboratory and Dr.Bratt. For more information and registration contact www.greatplainslaboratory.com
· POPARD is hosting a transition resource fair for families of secondary students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the professionals who work with them in Delta, Surrey, Langley and Richmond. The transition resource fair will be held on Tuesday April 12th from 6-9 PM at the Delta Manor Education Centre 4750 57 Street Ladner. If you have any questions or would like to participate please contact me at the telephone or email address listed below. Joanne Marshall Education and Behaviour Consultant Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders 4746-57th Street Delta , B.C. V4K 3C9 Tel: 604-946-3610 Fax: 604-946-2956 jkmarshall@delta sd.bc.ca www.autismoutreach.ca <http://www.autismoutreach.ca>
· Presented by POPARD “Fighting the Worry Bug” Group for Children with
10 to 12 Saturday sessions that will include small group activities to help
children learn about worry or fear and ways to cope with it. Facilitated by educators with expertise in ASD. Children will learn new skills to fight worries. Parents will learn strategies to support their children at home.
Children 11 to 14 years old who have a diagnosis of ASD and who experience worry or anxiety
Saturdays including March 5, March 12, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 30,
May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, and June 4 from 12:30 to 2:00 pm.
The POPARD office in Ladner: 4746 57th Street, Ladner (next to the Delta
Manor Education Centre) Cost? There is no financial cost to families. Families will also receive parent and child resource books. Time Commitment 10 to 12 sessions from March until June 2011
We will ask you and your child to participate in an interview so that we can
collect information about the best way to set up and teach this group. If you
sign up your child, we will let you know more about this. How do I sign up my child or find out more? By phone - Call 604-946-3610 (POPARD office) or By email - lmackay@deltasd.bc.ca
· NEW Autism Naturally - ANCA - February Newsletter - Click here!
· Richmond ASBC Parents Group Meeting March 14, 2011 Bohdanna Popowycz Kvam, B.Sc., M. Ed. Topic to be announced May 30, 2011 Jessica Fung, OTR/L Incorporating Occupational Therapy into a Behavioural Therapy Program
5. ADHD
· From the BC Down Syndrome Society -We are pleased to advise that we have added "Down syndrome & Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)" as a new module to the main page of our website <http://www.bcdsc.org/> . This is a good start for us and we hope to add more information as it becomes available to us. We have more information on this topic to put on the new blog we are currently setting up as well.
7. FASD
· Using Fruit Flies To Figure Out Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Drinking excess alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) due to the damaging effects of alcohol on a developing baby's brain. Despite its harmful effects, pregnant mothers continue to drink alcohol - up to 3 in every 1000 babies are born with FAS, which causes intellectual disabilities, behavioural problems, growth defects and abnormal facial features. How alcohol causes these effects is unclear, but researching the problem is difficult because of ethical barriers to studying human fetuses. Ulrike Heberlein and colleagues from the University of California San Francisco decided to study FAS using the fruit fly, a commonly used organism in biological research. Their results establish a new system for studying how alcohol causes harmful effects during development and open the door to further genetic and molecular studies of FAS. Heberlein and colleagues publish their results in Disease Models & Mechanisms on February 8, 2011. Click here for more information
· Study: "FASD Professional Development Program for Elementary School Teachers". A research project examined the effectiveness of a year long mentoring program for elementary school teachers on FASD. The research was conducted in the 2008-9 school year in one BC school district by researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia. The professional development program was developed by British Columbia’s Provincial Outreach Program for FASD. It includes an initial two day training, four half day workshops and a year-long mentorship. It was observed that the program changed the way teachers perceived and responded to disruptive and off task behaviour of students diagnosed with FASD. This change in teaching practice led to improved classroom behaviour of students diagnosed with FASD. POPFASD is currently producing a training package that British Columbia school districts can use if they want to implement the professional development program. The project was funded by the Victoria Foundation’s FASD Action Fund. For more information please contact Kathi Hughes (KHughes@sd57.bc.ca), Stacey Wakabayahsi swakabayashi@sd57.bc.ca or Erica Clark eclark5@interchange.ubc.ca
· Click here for the ASANTE January 2011 Newsletter
Event Date: 03/02/2011 - 03/05/2011
When: March 2-5, 2011
Location: Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC
Cost: TBA
UBC Interprofessional Continuing Education and the Canada Northwest FASD Partnership invites you to the 4th International Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, The Power of Knowledge: Integrating Research, Policy, and Promising Practice Around the World.
Conference Description:
Our understanding of FASD is entering a period of rapid expansion and change, dramatically increasing our comprehension of the breadth and depth of the global impact of this lifelong disability. This 4th International conference will provide an advanced forum for emerging and cutting edge research, policy and practice that will assist governments, service systems, service providers, parents and caregivers, as we strive to address the complex issues of FASD. This new knowledge will be an impetus for critical action in supporting women, individuals, families, and communities around the world. Click to find out more.
· FASD Ontario Fall newsletter - Click here.
8. Medical
· Click here for the February Edition of COMPLEX CHILD Sleep (or Lack Thereof)
· Mental Health
o ANXIETY
· Force Society For Children's Mental Health Click on the link to find out about New monthly parent information and network sessions. Sessions will be offered through in person, teleconferencing and media site.
9. Education
10. NEW Technology!
· Click here to read The New Era of Communication: Part 1: Introducing the iPad
· Microsoft introduces Pixtalk
· iPhone, iPad and iPod touch Apps for (Special) Education
11. Ministry Information
Ministry of Children and Family Development: Responsible for providing a range of services and supports for children and youth with special needs and their families.
Community Living British Columbia: Responsible for delivering services and supports for adults with developmental disabilities
Ministry of Housing & Social Development: Responsible for education and support payments, work programs, bus passes and health and dental benefits for persons with disabilities.
11. Workshops & Training (in order of date)
Each year, the BC Epilepsy Society hosts Speaking of Epilepsy, a series of lectures on a wide variety of epilepsy related topics. In recent years topics have been as diverse as treatments, active living, epilepsy and learning, stress management, siblings of children with epilepsy, surgery, women's health, employment, and human rights issues. The 2010-2011 Speaking of Epilepsy lecture series includes:
February TBA Ask the Expert Panel Discussion April TBA Women With Epilepsy May TBAAnti-Epileptic Medications June TBA Epilepsy Research in BC All lectures are held at the Chan Auditorium in the Education and Research Building at the Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of BC located on 4480 Oak Street at 28th Avenue. Lectures run from 7-9 pm. Please contact us at 604-875-6704 or at info@bcepilepsy.com to reserve your seat and confirm dates. Admission is free to current members of our Society and only $10 for each lecture if you are not a member. You can take out a membership at the start of any lecture and receive free admission.
· Parenting Expert & Best Selling Author Mary Gordon will be at this years Children the Heart of the Matter Conference, February 4, 2011 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm a the Bell Centre For Performing Arts 6250 144 Street, Surrey Cost : $10.00 Call for Tickets 604-572-8032 Limited number of tickets availble at the door GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
· A three-day international conference on concurrent disorders, Lost in Translation: Seeking answers in addiction, mental health and concurrent disorders is being held at UBC [University of British Columbia] Point Grey Campus on February 15ˆ17, 2011. Register click here for the flyer and learn more here. lostintranslation program spreads
· Presented by KIDSMATTER: "Practical Solutions: Supporting Children with Special Needs", taking place at the Walnut Grove Lutheran Church (20530 88th Avenue, Langley BC) Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19, 2011. This is a great opportunity for professional development and training or if you are a parent to learn more about different therapies that are available to your child. The tools learned over the two days will provide you with practical skills and information that you can take back with you, whether you work with a child or are the parent of one. This 2 day event features Keynote speakers Dr Sandy Johal (http://www.panoramaoptometry.com) who will discuss Vision Therapy and developmental optometry and Dr Anita Bratt (http://www.drbratt.com) who will be discussing how Diet Therapy in the treatment of Autism .
There will also be presentations by Brian Lai (http://senseabilityot.com) who will discuss how to help children be "Sensory Smart" and Jodi Tucker (http://www,kidsmattercanada.com) will be presenting on RDI® (Relationship Development Intervention) a parent-based intervention program where parents are provided the tools to effectively teach Dynamic Intelligence skills and motivation to their child.
· Where Walnut Grove Lutheran Church 20530 88th Avenue Langley, BC V1M 2Y6
· When: Friday February 18, 2011 at 9:00 AM PST - 4:30 pm PST and Saturday February 19, 2011 at 9:00 am- 4:30 PM PST
Toll Free: 1-877-882-9090 Local: 604-882-9090
www.kidsmattercanada.com
· Building Bridges Forum: Planning and Preparing for the Future Date: Feb. 18 - 19, 2011 CanAssist, together with its community partners, is hosting a two day forum that will bring together families, educators, and health/social service providers to undertake joint planning that supports children with special needs. NOTE: There will be a particular focus on the middle years (ages 10-14) but there will be a range of workshops/topics that will be relevant to supporting children of any age group. We encourage any parent with a special needs child of any age and their caregivers, service providers and educators to participate in our Forum. Location: Spectrum Community School 957 Burnside Road West, Victoria, BC Registration: Registration is NOW open!
· Pacific Community Resources Annual Prevention Forum
DATE: Friday February 18th, 2011
PLACE: Aldergrove Community Secondary School
ADDRESS: 26850 29th Avenue, Aldergrove, BC
TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
REGISTRATION: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
SPACE IS LIMITED - Please register as soon as possible. Registration Deadline is Monday January 31st, 2011. Cost for the Forum is $20.00. Please bring payment on the day of the forum. Receipts will be provided. Contact: Melita Caissie mcaissie@pcrs.ca
· NEW Topic: Comparing Intervention Approaches for Children with Autism: A View from Inside the Autism Spectrum with Dr. Stephen Shore.
Speaker: Dr. Stephen Shore
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2011
Time: 6PM Pacific (9pm Eastern)
Description: Stephen shares personal experiences on the autism spectrum as well as comparing promising interventions for for children on the autism spectrum with the goal of matching best practice to the needs of those with autism.
Don't forget to attend this free webinar, hosted by Dr. Stephen Shore who will answer your questions. As always our webinars are free to attend. You can use your computer or phone to listen in. Register for free and post your questions by clicking this link below: Click here to register!
· THE BIRDS AND THE BEES REVISITED: Supporting the Sexual Development of Low Incidence Adolescents
This all day session will focus on how school personnel can facilitate, support and intervene with low
incidence students around the following:
o sexual development
o sexual issues
o developing appropriate language to talk about sexual issues
o masturbation
o fostering appropriate boy/girl friend relationships
o good and bad touching
o sexual vulnerability risk factors for low incidence students
o Audience: Grade 6-12 Special Ed Resource & Classroom Teachers, SSA’s, Support Staff
o working with Low Incidence Students in program & mainstream settings
o Presenter: Margaret Newbury Jones, Sexuality Educator-SHADE Consulting Ltd.
o Date: Friday, 2011 February 18
o Margaret has been teaching K-12 students with special needs since 1988. She has worked with people with developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities, brain injury, physical disabilities, mental illness and hearing impairments. Click here for registration information.
Our understanding of FASD is entering a period of rapid expansion and change, dramatically increasing our comprehension of the breadth and depth of the global impact of this lifelong disability. This 4th International conference will provide an advanced forum for emerging and cutting edge research, policy and practice that will assist governments, service systems, service providers, parents and caregivers, as we strive to address the complex issues of FASD. This new knowledge will be an impetus for critical action in supporting women, individuals, families, and communities around the world.
· NEW COMING TO YOU ONLINE. The Basic Course on
THE GREENSPAN FLOORTIME APPROACH ™ for professionals and parents. Through video lectures recorded by Stanley I.Greenspan, M.D.
Register Now Available to registered participants for ten weeks from March 5 through May 15, 2011 Click here to find out more information or to register
· The 2011 Special Education Conference will be held at the Shoreline Conference Center (greater Seattle area) on March 9-11, 2011. We have “gone green” and will not be sending out conference programs. However, you may download a brochure at our website at http://www.rehabseminars.org
Delta Community Living Society, & the Delta Family Alliance Network
Invite you to attend: Thinking in the Future Tense:
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and Personal Networks
(re-scheduled from November 20th 2010)
Date: 10:30am - 3:00pm, Saturday, March 12th 2011
Presenter: Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)
Venue: Delta Community Living Society, Scott Road Connections #105-7953 Scott Rd. (Behind the Greek Village Restaurant) N Delta, BC V4C 6P6
Target Audience: Parents and family members of youths or adults with developmental disabilities.
Details of Workshop:
Registered Disability Savings Plan.
Learn about a financial tool that allows a person with a disability to save money for their future without interfering with their PWD. Learn how the federal government can contribute up to $90,000 to the plan. Understand the implications of the RDSP specific to your family's needs. Receive a Step by step guide
Personal Networks
Understand the key elements of a social support network for your relative getting started on a circle of friends
Closing date for registration: Friday, 26th February 2011.
Workshop fee: $10.00 (inc. lunch & refreshment).
604-946-9508 ext. 222.
· THINKING IN THE FUTURE TENSE
A workshop for parents and family members of youths or adults with developmental disabilities
date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
time: 10:30am—3:00pm
Registered Disability Savings Plans
Learn about a financial tool that allows a person with a disability to save money for their future without interfering with their PWD. Understand the implications of the RDSP specific to your family’s needs and receive a step by step guide.
Personal Networks.
Understand the key elements of a social support network for your relative getting started on a circle of friends.
For more information on the workshop contact:
Si Stainton, Family Service Liaison, Delta Community Living Society
604.952.6490 or sstainton@dcls.ca
· Attention Teachers, Educators, Professionals, and Parents, We are very excited to announce the 3rd upcoming conference Autism Biennial Congress 2011, Vancouver BC, April 8-9, 2011 < <Click here for Registration Form> <Click here for a downloadable registration form to print out> Over 18 World's foremost autism experts, including Eustacia Cutler (Temple Grandin's mom), Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, Dr. Stephen Shore, Jerry Newport, Keri Bowers, Bill Davis, Julie Matthewss, Dr. Tasreen Alibhai, David Kirby, Karen Simmons, Dr. Anita Bratt, Mark Bulgutch, Elaine Hall "Coach E", Shannon Kenitz, Dr. Lauren Underwood, Dr. Sheila Wagner, plus many more! April 8 - 9, 2011, Vancouver, BC Vancouver Convention Centre East, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC www.AutismVancouver.com
· DRN Conference 2011 Join us for the Disability Resource Network of BC Forum 2011 “ Mission Possible: Syncing New Technology with Current Practices” Monday and Tuesday, May 30 and 31, 2011 Vancouver Museum 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, BC Click here for more information
· NEW FRIEND 2 FRIEND Fall workshop OCT 21 & 22, 2011 - click here! Fostering Peer Play and Friendships for Children and Teens on the Autism Spectrum: The Integrated Play Groups™ and Friend 2 Friend Models SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver, BC
· Save the date! Speaking of Kids 2011, Friday Oct 21
Speaking of Kids annual conference will take place in Vancouver on Friday October 21, 2011. This one-day event will feature a celebrity guest speaker plus other engaging and knowledgeable speakers. Tickets will go on sale starting in March, 2011; and ticket prices have been kept at the minimal fee of $55! Out of town conference attendees will also be offered lowered hotel rates. LDAV conference committee members are fast at work obtaining 'goodie-bag' items and a raffle draw prize. This year's event will be the best one yet! Stay tuned as we'll be announcing our celebrity speaker in February.
(info and pictures from past conferences...)
· See All ACT Upcoming Events
12. SEASONAL
· *** VALENTINES *** Click here for more ideas
· *** VALENTINES *** Click here for some last minute ideas!
· *** VALENTINES *** Click here for more crafts from FAMILY FUN
· Valentine Day Enrichment Activities at the Vancouver Zoo Saturday, February 12th to Monday, February 14th, Greater Vancouver Zoo, 5048 – 264th Street, Aldergrove Animals can be affectionate too! Valentine’s Day at the zoo showcases some animal’s courtship rituals – here and in the wild – and how they keep mentally stimulated. Visit the Enrichment centre and don’t forget your camera. Entrance is free with admission. www.gvzoo.com/Special-Events
· Medieval Monsters Saturday, February 12th, 10:30 am – 12 noon, Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey The medieval world was full of magic and wonder! Find out more about unicorns and dragons, as well as the weirder vegetable lambs and cockatrices, as you create a medieval bestiary in a box you can take home. Must pre-register at 604-592-6956. www.surrey.ca
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