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REACH Parent Network Information Exchange.
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This information exchange, sponsored by Reach, is by parents for parents. It's content is guided by Reach's mission to provide choices for families, be family centered, facilitate inclusion, and exist as a quality resource. The information is meant to meet the needs of a multitude of families' interests. We caution readers that Reach does not investigate all claims, and that claims made are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by Reach. Readers are encouraged to undertake further investigation on their own of items noted.
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 Reach News - "Over the following weeks Reach Child and Youth Development Society will be providing information for parents to help prepare their children for full-day kindergarten classes that start in September for all schools in B.C." South Delta Leader
- Full-day kindergarten: Is my child ready?
In September full-day kindergarten will a part of every school in British Columbia. The question on many parents' minds is: Is my child ready? Experts say no single factor determines whether a child is ready for kindergarten. Your child will be expected to have some level of readiness in a variety of learning areas, also known as 'developmental domains,' by the time he or she enters kindergarten. The B.C. Ministry if Education lists early learning key developmental domains as cognitive [thinking and understanding], physical, language and communication, social and emotional. Click here to read more by our Susan Gall
- Full Day Kindergarten: What is Play-Based Learning? In September 2011 all schools in B.C. will offer full-day kindergarten programs that will include a play-based learning curriculum. Some parents may wonder what this means, and how play effects the development of their child and their learning outcomes.
Play is the work of childhood and is paramount to a child's development; it is recognized by the United Nations High Commission for human rights. Yes, it is the right of all children the world over to simply play. But what is play-based learning?
Click here to read more by our Camille Netherton
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REACH is the charity of choice for the summer 2011 Tsawwassen Outdoor Movie Nights Events. That means that all money raised through fundraising efforts at these events will go towards Reach's Building for Children Together campaign to build a new child development centre in Ladner. Come for a night of fun for the whole family and support a great cause! Bring your blankets, pillows & chairs & some extra cash for goodies to purchase, (there will also be a 50/50 draw for a chance to win some cash). Hope to see you all there!
- HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Saturday, August 20 · 6:30pm, Tsawwassen Town Centre mall, 56th street Tsawwassen
- ET Saturday, September 3 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm, Diefenbaker park, Tsawwassen
- We are looking for volunteers to help us out at these fun events selling popcorn, snacks and drinks to the crowd, selling 50/50 tickets, helping at the children's crafts table or to help clean up after the movie. Volunteers get their very own green Reach t-shirt & some other goodies. If you would like to help please contact Cathy at 604-946-6622 ext. 337 or email Cathy for details. Thanks!
- We're building a child development centre in the heart of the community. Click here to find out how you can help.
Click here to see our WEBSITE!
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Help a Parent?
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Autism - Special bracelet helps find missing N.S. girl. MIDDLETON, N.S. - Police say a special transmitter bracelet helped to save the day for a seven-year-old girl who wandered away from home along Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy shoreline. RCMP and search and rescue personnel responded to the report of the missing autistic child near Margaretsville around 4:30 p.m. Friday. Click here to read the article and see the news video
- Video: In this video segment, autism pioneer Dr. Tony Attwood returns to answer questions about autism. In this installment, Dr. Attwood talks about how to assist your AS child with the death of a loved one. Click here to see the video
- Children With Autism, Connecting via Transit. Ravi Greene can tell you how to get anywhere in New York City by transit - like the beach, on the 6 train.
"The 6 goes elevated from Whitlock Avenue to Pelham Bay Park," he explains. "And at Pelham Bay Park, you can transfer for a Bx29 or a Bx12 - the Bx12 to Orchard Beach."
Ravi has drafted elaborate proposals for expanded bus service in Brooklyn, and has memorized the exact date that the W train stopped running in 2010.
And he is only 5 years old. Click here to read more
- Dragon slays one bad habit for child with autism. Eli had been going to school since he was 3 years old. By first grade, many of his habits were well ingrained and difficult to change. That was because the boy was not able to communicate, and tantrums had become his way of getting what he wanted. But when Eli was placed in a specialized unit for children with autism, he blossomed. The child progressed steadily during most of his elementary school years. Then, the unthinkable happened. Eli began to regress.Click here to read how the DRAGON helped!
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- New CMU brain imaging research reveals why autistic individuals confuse pronouns
Impaired communication between brain areas further supports neuroscientist Marcel Just's theory that frontal-posterior underconnectivity causes autism and disrupts concept of 'self'. PITTSBURGH-Autism is a mysterious developmental disease because it often leaves complex abilities intact while impairing seemingly elementary ones. For example, it is well documented that autistic children often have difficulty correctly using pronouns, sometimes referring to themselves as "you" instead of "I." Click here to read more
- Video: Jack Robison and Alex Plank sit down with Wired Magazine writer Steve Silberman, author of the article "The Geek Syndrome" that chronicled the rise of autism in Silicon Valley and the tech industry. Click here to see the video
- Video: Dr. Stephen Shore, professor of special education at Adelphi University, and who also has Asperger's, discusses his perspectives on when and how to tell your child about his/her diagnosis. He breaks this down into a four-step approach. Click here to see the video
- Why the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome will disappear. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is now in the process of developing and finalizing the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Version 5. The DSM is used by doctors to decide whether a particular group of symptoms qualifies for a specific diagnosis. In May 2013, when the DSM 5 is put into practice, autism spectrum disorders as we know them will change radically, and many people who are now considered to be "autistic" may find themselves with a brand new diagnosis. Unless something changes between now and then, as of 2013, Asperger syndrome will no longer exist as a diagnosis.Click here to read more.
- Take a few moments to watch the first of four trailers for the upcoming Medicare for Autism Now! documentary which will be released in mid-September. Click here to see the first two trailers for the film
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- How NOT to Play a Board Game with a Child with Autismby Kathie Harrington
Children with autism don't usually like board games because they don't know how to take turns and they don't like rules. Board games also rely on interacting with people-now there's a threat to children with autism. However, when a board game is played alone, without rules, without interaction with other people, without taking turns, is it still a board game? I don't really know the answer to that, but here's a little story for you between my son and me that took place several years ago."I want to be blue," I requested as I sat down on the floor by Doug. Click here to read more
- Wouldn't It Be Good. Another appointment. Another bag of snacks and drinks packed. Another refill of the diapers, wipes and a change of clothes to the backpack I lug everywhere. Another mad scramble out the door. Even though I've packed to go out, and have been ready at least an hour before wherever it is we have to be, it still comes down to a craze-filled 'get in the car or else!' rushed moment. This is the life I lead as the mother of five children, one of whom has special needs. Click here to read more
- A family history of pink disease is a significant risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), new research from Swinburne University of Technology has found. Pink disease was a form of mercury poisoning prevalent in the first half of the 20th century. Affecting 1 in 500 young children with a hyper-sensitivity to mercury, it caused a range of severe symptoms including loss of speech, loss of interest in usual activities, hypersensitivity to light, pain and, in up to 20 per cent of cases, death. When mercury was identified as the culprit and removed as an ingredient in teething powders in the 1950s, the disease was essentially wiped out. Click here to read more
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- Sunday September 25, 2011 at the Nat Bailey Stadium Walk Now for Autism Speaks are fun-filled, family friendly events that bring together members from across the autism stakeholder community. Families, friends, teachers, service providers, corporate teams, researchers - all walking together to raise money to fund vital research, support family services programs, and raising awareness about autism and the issues facing local, provincial and national communities.Click here for more information
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ADD/ADHD - Under the Spell of Hyperfocus
Ned Hallowell speaks out on the joys of hyperfocus for those of us with ADHD.
Attention deficit disorder is all about distraction...until it's not! One of the most surprising aspects of ADHD is hyperfocus-a person's ability to home in on a specific task, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else. Someone with an interest in computer programming may happily hunt for a bug in thousands of lines of code, regardless of the fact that he usually can't sit still. A musician may write a symphony in only a few weeks.Click here to read more
- ADHD Back-to-School Prep: 10 Talks to Have for a Great School Year. Set the tone for a successful school year for your ADHD student by having conversations with your child, his teachers, doctors, and the other important people in his life. Find out what to discuss here. The beginning of the school year is a great time to sit down and have conversations with your ADHD child and the other important people in his life to make sure you're all on the same page when it comes to managing his ADHD symptoms. Not sure where to start? Use the following topics as your guide for who to call, and what to discuss: Click here to learn more and see more Back-to-School Articles
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Down Syndrome
- New York Times: A Father's Search for A Drug for Down Syndrome: Early in the evening of June 25, 1995, hours after the birth of his first and only child, the course of Dr. Alberto Costa's life and work took an abrupt turn. Still recovering from a traumatic delivery that required an emergency Caesarean section, Costa's wife, Daisy, lay in bed, groggy from sedation. Into their dimly lighted room at Methodist Hospital in Houston walked the clinical geneticist. He took Costa aside to deliver some unfortunate news. The baby girl, he said, appeared to have Down syndrome, the most common genetic cause of cognitive disabilities, or what used to be called "mental retardation." "From that day, we bonded immediately," he told me during one of our many talks over the last year. "All I could think is, She's my baby, she's a lovely girl and what can I do to help her? Obviously I was a physician and a neuroscientist who studies the brain. Here was this new life in front of me and holding my finger and looking straight in my eyes. How could I not think in terms of helping that kid?" Click here to read more
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Volunteers Sought for Research Project entitled:
Perception-Action Coupling in Infants. This study is being conducted by Dr. Naznin Virji-Babul ((Dept. of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia) and Dr. Janet Werker (Department of Psychology, UBC).The purpose of this project is to study how the brain works in infants with and without Down syndrome.Infants with and without Down syndrome between the ages of 4-9 months of age are sought to participate in this study. Participation will involve spending approximately 1-1.5 hours at BC Children's Hospital.
A cap with small disks (electrodes) will be placed on your infant's head (see picture below). He/she will sit on your lap and watch short video clips of actors performing movements (such as reaching, walking, etc) on a monitor. Brain waves will be recorded from your infant's scalp while he/she looks at images on a screen.If you are interested in participating in this study please contact:
Dr. Naznin Virji-Babul Dept. of Physical Therapy
University of British Columbia nvb31@interchange.ubc.ca
All participants will be given an honorarium to cover parking and travel costs.
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DSRF is expanding to Abbotsford, BC! DSRF is expanding to the city where "dreams and families grow" in Abbotsford, BC! We have recently been fielding many calls and emails from families living in the Fraser Valley area who are interested in our educational programs, but are unable to make the long commute to our Burnaby facility. Click here to learn more.
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FASD - Shaw Media To Launch Canadian Edition of Series 'Intervention'. Shaw Media in association with Open Door Co. and Insight Productions are thrilled to announce that Intervention Canada - the Canadian version of the Emmy-Award-winning A&E series Intervention - will premiere on Slice this fall. Intervention Canada is a gripping one-hour documentary series that explores the terrifying reality of Canadians whose addiction to drugs, alcohol or other compulsive behaviour is threatening their lives and destroying their families. "Intervention is a powerful series that sheds much light on how individuals and families cope in the face of addiction," says Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President of Content, Shaw Media. "The Canadian edition enables us to share with our viewers impactful true stories from across our country, exposing a far too common reality yet also sharing a vital message of hope."Click here to read more
- Langley - FASD adoptive and foster parents. Monthly support group meetings for those with children who have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Info: Jamie, 604-530-5917.
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Medical - Teen girls hit hardest by binge drinking. Binge-drinking can have a long-lasting negative effect on the brains of teenage girls, hitting them harder than it does young boys, a study released Friday shows. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and Stanford University found that girls who binge-drink -defined as having four or more drinks for women and five or more for men -showed less activity in several brain regions than teetotalling teenagers, both girl and boy, the study said. Click here to read more
- We are pleased to announce the third annual Rare Disease Foundation Family Picnic. Sunday August 28 from 11- 3 Maritime Museum, Vancouver
Fun, food, raffle prizes! This is a special occasion for parents who have children with rare diseases to meet with other parents and other children. It will also be a great opportunity for the whole Rare Disease Foundation community to meet, socialize and have fun! We are inviting parents, friends, neighbours, relatives, medical workers and researchers and their families to come together. There will be free admission to the Maritime Museum for picnic attendees. Come on out and have a great time! We would appreciate knowing numbers to arrange for food so please RSVP here We look forward to hearing from you. Rosemarie Rupps, MSc, CGC
Genetic Counsellor
Rare Disease Foundation
- Stress and Youth Part 1: Recently I had the opportunity to view "Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of America's Achievement Culture," a riveting documentary that is receiving much-deserved publicity throughout the United States. Concerned school and community groups have arranged to show this movie as a catalyst for parents, educators, childcare professionals, and community members to engage in a dialogue about the epidemic of unrealistic expectations, pressures, and stresses that are confronting today's youth. I watched the movie with hundreds of others at the Charles River School in Dover, Massachusetts and then served as the moderator for the lively discussion that followed. Click here to read more
- NEW Complex Child - Current Issue - SEIZURES
- NEW MIND MATTERS - Canada's Mental Health e-magazine - July issue
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Education
- How to Build a Better Learner. Scientific American: Brain studies suggest new ways to improve reading, writing and arithmetic--and even social skills. Be sure to check the supplemental information Click here to read more
- New School! Purpose Conductive Education School and Purpose Secondary School. What is Conductive Education?Conductive Education (CE) is a complex educational approach to teaching children with motor impairments. It works with the whole personality of the child and addresses physical, social, emotional, personal, cognitive and academic development. CE is grounded in the belief that no matter the severity of the disability EVERY child can learn new skills. CE focuses on the ability of the child and the teaching method is adapted to suit each child's learning style and enhance motivation and active participation. With every new skill learned, the door opens for more. Therefore CE does not only achieve potential - it creates it. Click here to learn more
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Ministry Information
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Workshops and Training - Surrey Early Childhood Mental Health Family Parenting Programs starting Fall 2011
- Right From the Start (RFTS) is a parenting program for parents of children ages birth to 1 year. Parents will have the opportunity to develop their skills in interacting with their baby and foster parent-infant interaction security. You will see video segments of common experiences and problem solve with other parents. This group is for everyone who wants to be the best parent they can possibly be.
- COPEing with Toddler Behaviour (CWTB). An 8 week parenting course designed to help parents of 12-36 month old children with effective parenting strategies using an active learning model.
- Triple P is a parenting program for those with children 3 - 6 years of age that promotes good communication and strong relationships between parents and children. This approach helps parents manage their children's behaviour in a constructive and caring way. Triple P helps parents recognize causes of common child behaviour problems and encourage desirable behaviour in their children. This course is for everyone who wants to be the best possible parent they can be.
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There is no cost to take these courses
Child minding will be provided on a limited basis, bus tickets will be provided for those with transportation issues, and refreshments will be available.
To register please contact The Children's Foundation 604-586-3351 or
Surrey North Family Service Centre Direct line: 604-586-3363
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ACT WORKSHOP Addressing Autism Across the Lifespan: A Symposium on Building a British Columbia Where Adults with ASD Can Thrive. Opening presentation by Dr. Anthony Bailey, UBC With panel members: Dr. David Batstone, Dr. Jill Calder, Dr. Jonathan Down, Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen, Tamara Kulusic,Chris McIntosh and Arlene Zuckernick
Friday, September 9th, 2011
Registration: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Workshop: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC
Early Bird Deadline - August 4th, 2011Click here for more information
- David Pitonyak, Sept 26 at the Centre for Peace: Supporting a Person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Dr David Pitonyak returns to Vancouver for a workshop on identifying PTSD and supporting people with disabilities and those who support them who suffer from this. Click here for more information and to get tickets!
- Putting the "Fun" in Functional: Effective Treatment for Toddlers with Autism
Children are being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as young as 18 months
old. The traditional structure and focus of ABA based therapies need to be modified to
target the specific needs of this young population. This introductory workshop is
designed for parents of recently diagnosed children with Autism who wish to learn
more about Autism, identifying goals appropriate for this age group, and strategies on
effective ways to interact with young toddlers with Autism. Examples of key
components of a toddler program are referencing, eye contact, social referencing and
developing a social relationship with the child.
Date: September 28, 2011 Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: ABA Learning Centre
1110-6900 Graybar Road
Richmond, BC
To Register please contact Tricia Bailey via EMAIL or phone: 604-232-4122
- Great Expectations: South Delta BABY FAIR! Saturday October 1, 2011
- 10am - 2 pm Ladner Community Centre - 4734 51st Street, Ladner
- This event is free for those who are expecting a baby, for those who have a new baby, and for all who are supporting families with very young children.
Over 20 exhibitors featuring trendy and useful products, tons of prizes, local programs, services and resources and fabulous demonstrations, such as Baby Massage instruction! - Contact Muriel Kerr at 604.267.7380 or email here to receive more
information.
- BCACL is thrilled to launch community living month by hosting world-renowned community development leader Peter Block in an exciting one-day seminar on October 6, 2011. This workshop is a must for anyone wanting to learn about the nature of real inclusion and community transformation and what kind of leadership is required to achieve it. Click here to learn more
- Whole Health for the Whole Family: A Family Nutrition and Physical Health Workshop
Whole Foods for the Whole Family Workshop is designed to give families an
introduction to optimal health and wellbeing through food, environment and
physical health.Here is what you will learn:
. The building blocks for optimal nutrition
. The foods to enjoy and the foods to avoid
. Why to eat and what to eat with seasonal organic foods
. The power of role modeling
. Keys to successful meal planning and staying within a budget
. Autism and the diet connection
. Recipes for success
. The importance of physical health
Date: October 11, 2011 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: ABA Learning Centre
1110-6900 Graybar Road
Richmond, BC
To Register please contact Tricia Bailey via EMAIL or phone: 604-232-4122 -
- BCACL is happy to announce The Ripple Effect 7: a retreat for families supporting a child with special needs, coming October 14 - 16 2011. This fall's retreat will be held at the Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort in the West Kootenays.
The Ripple Effect is a chance for families to join facilitators from the BC Association for Community Living and other families from across B.C. for a FREE thought-provoking and educational retreat, exploring the power of advocacy and community development. Families who attend will learn about the history of the community living movement, learn concepts of community development, individual advocacy, and systems change, and learn practical steps to help advocate for their children.
For full details and to register, Click here!
- Save the date! Speaking of Kids 2011, Friday Oct 21
Speaking of Kids conference 2011 is being held in Vancouver, BC, at Killarney Secondary School on October 21, 2011 (a province wide teacher's professional development day).
Everyone attending will be treated to some surprises. The day will start out with everyone receiving 'goodie bags' plus having their name automatically entered into a draw for a gift..
The 'Teacher Talk' series with Dr. Sam Goldstein, will kick off the morning. Following that will be a refreshment break (free refreshments provided) and then back to the auditorium for the guest speaker, Cloris Leachman!
Ms Leachman will then move to a different room for autographs (available for all conference registrants). 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! Click here for registration and more information - October 21, 2011 Pro-D Day Speaker: "How To Reach The Stuggling Student: Providing Brain -Based Instruction To Accommodate Learning Difficulties" will be presented by Dr. James B. Hale Associate Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Victoria. This speaking engagement is hosted by the Learning Disabilities Association - Fraser South Chapter on Oct 21, 2011 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. and is open to all teachers and parents. Registration is available by calling 604-591-5156 or emailing to info@ldafs.org. Cost $20.
- Mary Kealy in Vancouver, Oct 26 and 27th - Save the dates!
Mary Kealy, from County Clare, Ireland, visits Vancouver for two inspiring days of sharing her passion for individualised, person-centered options and natural supports for people with disabilities. A personable, friendly speaker these should be interesting days for many involved in the support of personal networks. Click here for more information
- The 15th annual Children the Heart of the Matter conference will be held on February 3rd & 4th 2012. This conference is gearing up to be another excellent event with keynote speakers Gordon Neufeld and Charlotte Diamond. Click here for more information and on-line registrtation
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Fifth National Biennial Conference on Adolescents and Adults with Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Social Justice - Moving Forward
April 18 - 21, 2012
The Hyatt Regency Vancouver, British Columbia Click here for more information
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Seasonal - City of Surrey - Outreach and Support Services. We are looking into setting up a pilot Adapted Swim program in the South Surrey area and need your feedback. Please take a moment by clicking here. Your answers can remain anonymous if you wish and it will only take a maximum of 5-10 minutes of your time.
- We are pleased to announce the third annual Rare Disease Foundation Family Picnic. Sunday August 28 from 11- 3 Maritime Museum, Vancouver Fun, food, raffle prizes! This is a special occasion for parents who have children with rare diseases to meet with other parents and other children. It will also be a great opportunity for the whole Rare Disease Foundation community to meet, socialize and have fun! We are inviting parents, friends, neighbours, relatives, medical workers and researchers and their families to come together. There will be free admission to the Maritime Museum for picnic attendees. Come on out and have a great time! We would appreciate knowing numbers to arrange for food so please RSVP Click here to email We look forward to hearing from you. Rosemarie Rupps, MSc, CGC
Genetic Counsellor Rare Disease Foundation
- Back To School, Student Tips For Anxiety, Perfectionism And Worry. Feeling Anxious. Get to know your anxiety. Before you can take steps to reduce your anxiety, it is important to understand the nature of your discomfort. Here are examples of some questions to ask yourself:-- What triggers my anxiety? Are there particular situations that make me uncomfortable? Making friends at school? First day of classes? Giving presentations? Being stared at by others? Speaking with my professors? Click here to read more
- Semiahmoo House 17th Annual Picnic:
- Where: Peace Arch Park, 138 Peace Arch Drive, Surrey
- Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm
- Date: Thursday, September 15, 2011
- Please join us for a fun-filled day jam packed with great food, games, contests* and music!
- Please RSVP by September 2, 2011 with the number of people attending to: Semiahmoo House Society, 15306 24th Avenue, Surrey BC V4A 2J1
- By Phone: 604-536-1242 Fax: 604-536-9507 or email to: z.peden@shsbc.ca or d.brady@shsbc.ca
- SHS Programs: Please include the name of your program and total number of staff and participants attending Click here for more information
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Other - New Event - October 1st- The South Delta Baby Fair"Great Expectations" This event is free for those who are expecting a baby, for those who have a new baby, and for all who are supporting families with very young children.
Over 20 exhibitors featuring trendy and useful products, tons of prizes, local programs, services and resources and fabulous demonstrations, such as Baby Massage instruction!
10am to 2pm
Ladner Community Centre
- 4734 51st Street, Ladner For more information Contact Muriel Kerr at 604.267.7380 or at email here.
- ARTSHOW for BC People with Development Disabilities October 27, 2011 sponsored by posAbilities! Click here for more information
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Submissions or Questions?
To submit for our newsletter or have a question for Pam to research please contact her at
Parent Network
or 604-946-6622 ext 359.
You can sign up at the Reach Child and Youth Development Society website to receive this newsletter directly.
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Reach | danl@reachdevelopment.org | delta, BC |
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