REACH Parent Network Information Exchange.

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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Quick Links

Reach News 

Help a Parent?

 Autism

 ADD/ADHD

 Down Syndrome  

Education  

FASD

Medical and Mental Health 

 Sensory   

Technology

Ministry Information

Workshops and Training

Seasonal

Other

Submissions and Questions?  

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Reach News 

• Save the date for Reach`s 54th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
  Saturday October 19th, 2013
  10:00 am - 2:00 pm at The Surrey Nature Centre 14225 Green Timbers Way, Surrey
  Join us in the morning for a presentation on the importance of social and emotional health across the age span with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, Applied Developmental Psychologist and Associate Professor at UBC. Stay for lunch & help vote in our new leadership. Children are invited to come for a morning & afternoon of fun and nature-inspired activities during child minding (lunch provided.) Our AGM is FREE to all families who attend Reach programs and to our membership. Registration is required. More details to come.
  To book your spot early call 604-946-6622 ext.0 or email here 

• New Support Group for Reach Parents at Two Locations

  Thanks to everyone who has come to the new parent support groups at Reach. This is a place where parents of children can come to talk and share ideas, stories and solutions. Whether you are new to diagnosis, treatment, advocacy and adjustment to your child's additional needs or you are an experienced parent who can give new parents a helping hand or you are struggling at any point in your journey, come and share with us. 
  Here are the dates and times (you can come to both):
  North Delta 
  Every second Tuesday of the month 
  6:30 - 8:00 
  11425 84th Avenue (Play & Learn Centre)
  South Delta 
  Every fourth Wednesday of the month 
  6:30 - 8:00 
  #3 - 3800 72nd Street (Reach main site near Boundary Bay Airport)
  Call if you want more information  (604) 946-6622 Ext 347  See you there!! 

         

• Reach Support Groups - Summer Schedule

  North Delta Group (11425 84th Ave, 6:30 to 8:00)

  -        July 24

  -        August 28

  -        September 25

   

  South Delta Group - cancelled until further notice.

   

  Please call if you want more information on either of these groups.

  Yvonne (604) 946-6622 Ext 347

    
• Parent Circle: Parent Support Circle is a free, monthly, confidential parent gathering with a focus on parenting children with ADHD or behaviour challenges. Led by trained facilitators. The last Friday of every month from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.at Reach, #3 3800 72nd street Ladner
  To register call Lisa at 604-946-6622 ext.342 or email here
  or call Bella at 604-569-3110 or email here 

• 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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• NEW DSM V Controversy

• Eye Contact - One Autistic's Insight By Judy Endow, MSW. A challenge I am continually faced with as an autistic adult is the misinformed presumption and resulting behavior of neurotypical people when I do not look at them in the way they expect, want or demand of me. It is challenging because society has put the onus on me to change. Often it does not matter to others why I am different. They just want me to stop being different. Recently I was told directly, "If you want to be treated like a real person then act like one!"  Click here to read more! 

• David Mitchell: learning to live with my son's autism. Novelist David Mitchell looks back on the heartbreak - and joy - of learning that his son had autism. Plus, below, an extract from the book by a young Japanese boy that helped him. So. The child psychologist across the desk has just told you that your three-year-old is "presenting behaviour consistent with that of an individual on the autistic spectrum". You feel trepidation, sure, a foreboding that your life as a parent is going to be much tougher than the one you signed up for, but also a dash of validation. At least you now have a 10-page report to show to friends and relatives who have been insisting that boys are slower than girls, or that late language is to be expected in a bilingual household, or that you were just the same at that age. It's a relief that your child's lack of eye contact, speech and interest in picture books now has a reason and a name.Click here to read this amazing piece! 

• Autism: After 20 years, he finds his way out of the silence.  Watson Dollar's parents loved him. But did heknow? Twenty years would pass. 'I love you, Mom. Very much,' he typed on her iPad, holding her hand. He knew. The last word Watson Dollar spoke before autism erased his ability to do so was "lights." The chubby cheeked toddler lay in his father's arms as anesthesia, administered for an ear-tube surgery, dimmed his consciousness. Head lolling back, body going limp, Watson gazed at the fluorescent lamps above him, uttering the one-syllable noun. Then he closed his eyes and never spoke again. That was 20 years ago.Click here to read more and see a video! 

• Teen with autism finds his place in the crowd. If Nick Eveland felt anxiety, it didn't show.
  He was a model of equanimity: his expression calm, almost serene. There was an ease in his gait that defied his awkwardness as he climbed the stairs to the Comcast Arena stage and met the gaze of 4,000 people waiting for him to say something.Nick, who has autism, did not lock eyes with anyone. He knew better.  Click here to read more 

• Join us for the 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Family Photo Fundraiser

  When: Sunday September 8, 2013

  Where: Garden City Park Richmond BC 

  RSVP to book your session time: email here or call  778-822-5995

  Cost: $30 (with 50% going to Autism Speaks)

   Click here to see the Purplebutterfly website 

  Looking forward to taking your picture!

    
• Mother's determination saves autistic son from life in institution. When Julian Miozzi was two years old doctors told his parents he was severely autistic and would never speak.

  His mother believed she could prove the doctors wrong and with a lot of determination, patience and tough love, she did.  Click here to read more and see a video 

        
• Video: Steve Silberman, author of "The Geek Syndrome," speaks about autism and Silicon Valley. 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. Check back next week for part 2 of Steve's interview where he talks about autistic peoples' contributions to society. Please take a moment to watch these short videos of the interview.
  

  Autism Talk TV Ep. 6 - Steve Silberman Pt. 1

  Autism Talk TV - Ep. 7 - Steve Silberman Pt. 2

  Click here to read the original article from WIRED MAGAZINE!  
    
• Early Intervention Benefits Young Children With Autism Regardless Of High-Quality Treatment Model.  Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found that preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who receive high-quality early intervention benefit developmentally regardless of the treatment model used - a surprising result that may have important implications for special-education programs and school classrooms across the country. Click here to read more 

• Autistic Teenagers learning to Drive can be a Reality - Part 1. Learning to drive is one of those milestones in any young adult's life. It's a gateway to independence and freedom, which most of us take for granted. It's a dream for most 15-17 year olds to aspire to, and having a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) should not dampen that aspiration.

  Can a high functioning Asperger's or Autistic individual learn to drive? The answer to that question from the experts is most definitely, yes.  Click here to read more  

• Click here for part 2 

• Autism study: IU professor helps develop new approach to treat, diagnose condition. A team of researchers, including Indiana University scientists, has developed a new approach that could help better pinpoint therapies for children with autism.The method relies on a quantitative analysis of a way a person moves. Researchers say it could eventually revolutionize interventions for children who have a range of conditions, from autism to ADHD.  Click here to read more 

• A mother's denial, grief and joy at the VIP world of autism by Miranda Steffen.When Aiden was VERY young [less than a year], his father and I would talk to him in what we called our "Minnie Mouse voice." We later found out he could barely hear us due to the fact that he had repeated ear infections for, basically, his entire first year of life. Amazing enough, he could beat his spoon to any beat that he heard by the time he was 6 months old as long as it was a deep bass. We thought he was a musical genius, and would call the grandparents listen to him tap. We never mentioned all of the other milestones he was missing. He was sick all of the time - wouldn't that delay anyone? Click here to read more

   

• The BC-Alberta Coalition for Choice in Effective ASD Intervention would like your support! (Apologies for duplicated messaging) The BC-Alberta Coalition for Choice in Effective Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders is a coalition of families, community groups, concerned citizens and professionals, who advocate for the accessibility to a range of effective interventions for autism spectrum disorders and who support the right to choose interventions which meet the specific developmental needs of the individual and their family.
  Coalition Objectives
  1. To promote awareness of autism spectrum disorders as a complex disability encompassing behavioral, social, emotional and cognitive development as well as biomedical health.
  2. To support families in exercising their right to choose effective and appropriate interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders and to promote the availability and accessibility of these interventions.
  3. To increase awareness about current and emerging intervention modalities which are based on best research, clinical practices and implementation experience.
  4. To engage in a broad range of activities to support the education, training and implementation of effective interventions for families, professionals, organizations and the general public.
  5. To cultivate an empowered community of engaged individuals, families and professionals through networking, fundraising, advocacy and collaboration with individuals and organizations in other provinces and countries.
  6. To improve the status of marginalized individuals, voices and groups by improving access to a range of appropriate ASD-related resources.
  7. To improve the integration of ASD communities across current divisions, including inter-provincial, urban/rural, regional, and intervention modality.On our new website, Click here, we will have a page of Supporters. Show your support for choice in effective ASD intervention by putting your name forward, and passing this along to others. The page will read as follows: We support the BC-Alberta Coalition for Choice in Effective ASD Intervention This will be followed by a list of names of people (with credentials and/or affiliations) and of business names.
  -Kierstin Hatt, BA, MA, Ph.D., parent, Zinnia Consulting Ltd.

• REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - 2013 INTERNATIONAL NATURALLY AUTISTIC PEOPLE  AWARDS CONVENTION & FESTIVAL. October 1- 6, 2013
• Click here to see photos and read about the June Kick-off! 
• Click here for early registration - great DEAL $200 for entire 6 days! 
   
•  SAVE THE DATE - 2nd Annual Richmond Autism Resource Fair.  Featuring presentations, youth advocates, parent panel and resource booths!   November 23, 2013 McMath Secondary School, 4251 Garry Street Richmond.  9:00am - 2:30pm.  For more information contact Llaesa Brownridge at 604-279-7014 or email here  

• ASPIES CENTRAL! Click here for this blog!   

• Click here for the ABA Support Network's Calendar of courses and events   

• Click here for ANCA's live radio show!  

• Fraser Valley Autism Society (FVAS) Click here for website!  
•  The Fraser Valley Autism Society has resumed its free monthly meetings
  for the season. Meetings will alternate between Chilliwack and Abbotsford on a monthly basis.  For more information please visit Our website here or email HERE
  Karen Davis,President, Fraser Valley Autism Society
  
  
   

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ADD/ADHD

• Is It Bipolar Disorder or ADHD? Symptoms of ADHD and bipolar disorder are often confused -- and often coexist in the same person. How to make the distinction, and suggestions for treating bipolar disorder along with ADHD.  It can be difficult enough to obtain a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD), but to complicate matters further, ADHD commonly co-exists with other mental and physical disorders. One review of ADHD adults demonstrated that 42 percent had one other major psychiatric disorder. Therefore, the diagnostic question is not "Is it one or the other?" but rather "Is it both?" Click here to read more

• 4 Ways to Be a Better Parent: Raising ADHD Children.  Expert advice for parenting your ADHD children -- forging powerful connections and becoming a positive life coach. Parenting children with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) brings more ups and downs than a roller coaster. One day you're basking in your child's creativity, the next you're worried about his social isolation and discipline problems at school. You do everything you can think of to help your son or daughter, yet wonder if you could do more. Click here to read more

• It's Finally Here: The First Brain Wave Test to Diagnose ADHD. Will this new brain test make it easier to diagnose attention deficit accurately?  The Food and Drug Administration has announced its approval of the first brain wave test to help diagnose ADHD. Called the Neuropsychiatric EED-Based Assessment Aid, the device traces different types of electrical impulses - theta and beta waves - given off by nerve cells in the brain and records how many times those impulses occur each second. Click here to read more 

• End Household Clutter: ADHD Organization Help for Kids. Organization help to transform even the messiest children with ADHD into neatniks -- and help prepare them for life on their own. Clutter comes with the territory: books on the stairs...backpacks in the hall...pizza boxes on the floor...a coat draped over every chair. Are you the one who straightens up? Stop right now. Your child with ADHD must learn to clean up his own messes. After all, clutter control is a skill kids must master if they are ever to live successfully on their own. Click here to read more  

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   Down Syndrome  

• I Have Down Syndrome--Know Me Before You Judge Me.  When I first started to work on this story, I thought maybe I shouldn't do it. I thought you might see that I have Down syndrome, and that you wouldn't like me. My mom thinks that's silly. "Have you ever met anyone who didn't like you because you have Down syndrome?" she asks me. She's right, of course. (She usually is!) Click here to read more

• 2014 Mission Possible Down Syndrome Cruise Conference
  7 nights round trip to Alaska ! On board Celebrity's Solstice Ship - the Jewel of Alaska
  Departs July 4, 2014 from Seattle, Washington.Please join us for the next Mission Possible Down Syndrome Cruise Conference.  This conference will have speakers covering Education, Biomedical and Therapies for Down Syndrome.  It is open to:
  ·         Children and Adults with Down syndrome
  ·         Parents
  ·         Caregivers
  ·         Teachers
  ·         School Aids
  ·         Homeschool community ·         Therapists
  You will all benefit from our fantastic group of speakers.  The networking and connections made on this Cruise will be a wonderful experience for everyone who joins us. Click here for more information 

• You are Invited to a Delta Down Syndrome Support Group meeting: OUR GOALS ARE
  · To provide guest speakers (Reach therapists, community
  professionals and other programs) to discuss common issues
  · To provide support and information to families in Delta who
  have a child with Down Syndrome
  · To help connect parents of children with Down Syndrome
  · To provide monthly meetings for parents and their children
  · To provide on-site child minding while you attend the
  discussion
  When: First Thursday of each month
  Where: Reach Developmental Preschool North Delta
  10921 - 82nd Avenue, Delta, BC
  Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
  Cost: No charge
  Light refreshments provided
  Please RSVP to Sarah Garnham at 604-946-6622 extension 321.
  or email here 

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Education

• Measure for measures: What do standardized tests really tell us about students and schools?  Education leaders need to think deeply about the role of standardized testing in public schools. While many people agree that some system of accountability is essential to maintain school quality, there is disagreement about the role of high-stakes testing in that system. In this Usable Knowledge video interview, HGSE Professor Daniel Koretz shares insights about the strengths and limitations of standardized tests from his new book, Measuring up: What educational testing really tells us.  Click here to read more      

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FASD

• Check out all the latest information at Reach's Delta Connex!  Click here to see!

• 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 and Mental Health

• Living with OCD By Lucy Wallis. OCD is a term that many are familiar with on a passing level, but few understand the consequences that sufferers contend with. Twenty-two-year-old Josh Cannings has suffered from symmetry OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder for nearly 10 years. It is a condition that has had a massive effect on his day-to-day life, but one that is often trivialised by society. "I have to touch everything with my left and right hands, my left and right feet an equal amount of times everywhere I go, 24/7. It's constant," says Cannings. Click here to read more  

• BC Epilepsy Current Newsletter - Click here 

• The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and the FORCE Society for Kids' Mental Health are pleased to announce an amazing lineup of educational events  To find out more about the dates, topics, and how you can join in, view our poster or visit our website HERE .
  Time Thursdays, 12-1pm (PST)
  Registration PHONE 604-875-2084 or 1-800-665-1822
  EMAIL HERE
  WEB HERE  
• Click here for the current KELTY newsletter!  

• Complex Child - July Edition - Home Nursing Care 

• Mind Matters e-newsletter provides new resources and programs offered by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division and is committed to the mental health of British Columbians. Click here for the current edition    

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Technology

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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 disabilitie. 

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Workshops and Training 

• Click here to see all of ACT's Upcoming Presentations 

• Click here for Child Care Options Spring Professional Development Calendar 

• Click here for all upcoming workshops by Delta Assist   

• BC Council of Families Professional Development Calendar - CLICK HERE 

• Kelty Pinwheel Mental Health Series!  
• September 26 - School Anxiety
• October 17 - Social Support
• November 14 - Cannabis
• December 5 - nutrition and mental health  
• How to Join:
  In person: Click here to register. 
  Telephone: Join us through the telephone by dialing 1-877-291-3022 and entering the access code 4611577#  - no registration required! 
  Telehealth: Please contact your local Telehealth coordinator and book a videoconference room and forward this invite with your location name, room number and the ISDN/IP Address/Alias of your site to here , two days before the event. For questions, please contact Olivia Stewardson, Telehealth Coordinator at email here.   

• ACT: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders: Practical Applications (POPARD) - August 2013.  Presented by: Kenneth D. Cole, Ph.D., R.Psych.
  Consultant with the Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related DisordersMonday to Friday, August 12 - 16, 2013 - Vancouver. This 30 hour course has recently been revised to reflect current research and evidence-based practice in teaching students with ASD. Instruction includes pre-readings, practical hands-on training through instructor demonstration and coaching. In addition, course participants complete applied exercises in the key elements of teaching and supporting students with ASD.  Click here for more information 

   

• COMMUNITY - An Introduction to Home Sharing.  Tuesday, 13 August 2013 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PDT) Maple Ridge, BC .WJS Training Division is excited to bring you this course designed specifically for persons wishing to care for individuals in their own home! "COMMUNITY" is a certificate course that will help prepare you to share your home, and life with an individual in care. This Certificate Course provides an understanding of:

  • The responsibilities and liabilities of a home share provider,

  • Building community, personalized planning and enhancing the quality of life of a person,

  • Reporting requirements,

  • Contractual relationships and responsibilities, and

  • Accessing supports and services in the community.

  For More Information Contact the WJS Canada Training Division 604-465-5515 x 116 Click here for more information 

   

• MENTAL HEALTH & HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM GUIDE TRAINING. In collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Dr. Stan Kutcher, the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, has developed the Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide and corresponding training program. The curriculum and training are designed to support secondary school teachers to better address education about mental health and mental illness in the classroom. The objectives of this training program will be achieved in a 1-day session on August 21, 2013 in the Scarfe Auditorium at the University of British Columbia.  Click here for more information 

• Summer Institute - August 27, 2013 - Registration open. Calm, Alert, and Learning: Classroom Strategies for Self-Regulation.  Recent research tells us that one of the keys to student success is self-regulation - the ability to monitor and modify emotions, to focus or shift attention, to control impulses, to tolerate frustration or delay gratification.

  But can a child's ability to self-regulate be improved? Canada's leading expert on self-regulation, Dr. Stuart Shanker, knows it can and that, as educators, we have an important role to play in helping students' develop this crucial ability. For those who are new to self-regulation or practitioners already incorporating the understandings into their practice, this session will support and enhance learning around the principles of self-regulation in the classroom. Click here for more information

• Think Like an O.T. An Occupational Therapy Course for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Special Needs. Are you looking for ways to enable your child to do the things he/she needs to do, wants to do or is expected to do? Would you like to learn about and practice occupational therapy strategies that are relevant to your family? Do you want to know how to turn your ordinary, everyday activities into therapeutic moments? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this course is for you!
  Date: Saturday, September 21, 28, Oct 5, 19, 26, Nov 2, 2013
  Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  Location: Surrey Christian Primary Campus 9115-160th Street, Surrey
  Participants: For parents and caregivers of children ages 3 years and up with special needs.
  Cost: LMDSS Members: $135.00 non-member: $200.00 (includes 1 in- home visit, assessment, and a Sensory Profile assessment) Registration deadline: August 24 , 2013 Call LMDSS at: 604-591-2722; or email here

• Welcoming & Celebrating Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in Families: From Preconception to Preschool
  Vancouver - September 23  |  Victoria - September 25
  Welcoming LGBTQ people and families into programs and services can mean taking practical steps such as re-designing intake forms, putting up posters, or incorporating books that reflect diversity. It can also mean deepening your understanding of how assumptions about gender, sexuality, and family composition shape your everyday practice. Price: $125 early bird rate (before July 30)
  *Lunch & light refreshments will be provided
  If you have questions, or require more information about this training, please contact the Program Coordinator at 604 678 8884 ext 222 pilaro@bccf.ca  or visit our website at here
  Click here for Vancouver Registration 

• Hey! My Brain Doesn't Work That Way! Understanding Sensory Processing

  Promoting Self-Regulation Supporting Stress Management by Marc Landry
• Full Day Workshop Friday September 27 2013
• Click here for more information   
    
• Integrated Play GroupsŪ Conference Sep 27 & 28, 2013 Vancouver, BC, Canada.  Fostering Peer Play and Friendships for Children and Teens on the Autism Spectrum
  Blending the Integrated Play GroupsŪ and Friend 2 Friend Models
  Presented by Dr. Pamela Wolfberg and Heather McCracken

  This specialized two-day seminar brings together the Integrated Play GroupsŪ (IPG) and Friend 2 Friend (F2F) models to address the social, communication, play and friendship needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. Drawing on evidence-based practices, these complementary models enhance socialization, communication, emotional regulation, peer play and imagination in children and adolescents while building meaningful relationships with typical peers in inclusive school, community and therapeutic settings.  Click here for moe information 

   
• Introduction to "Positive Behaviour Support" for Children with ASD and Other Developmental Disabilities (in Cantonese) 正面行為支持"與自閉及發展障礙兒童 【廣東話】
  2013 年10月4日，星期五 - 溫哥華
  Friday, October 4, 2013 - Vancouver
  Presented by Dianna Yip, M.Ed., BCBA 教育系碩士, 國際認證行為分析師 葉曉欣 主講 Parents and main caregivers will be empowered to use practical strategies of Positive Behavior Support to prevent and change problematic behaviors in children with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
  家長及主要照顧者能透過此講座了解"正面行為支持"的實用對策，進而預防及改變孩子的問題行為。Click here for more information

• David Pitonyak, in Vancouver, October 18th!  David Pitonyak - A Toolbox For Change. The Changing Role of Community Supports. Reclaiming joy, purpose and commitment in the helping profession with David Pitonyak, Ph.D.

  How do organizations move towards person-centered supports? How do caregivers maintain their sense of purpose, joy, and commitment in times of growing complexity and changing expectations? This is a day-long workshop focused on specific strategies for transforming system-centered organizations to person- and family-centered organizations while never losing track of joy. Target audience: leaders, aspiring leaders and community support workers of all sorts.  Feel free to have lunch on your own at one of Oakridge's many restaurants.  Morning and afternoon coffee and snacks are included.  

  Objectives:  At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have developed knowledge in the following areas:

  A basic understanding of the contrast between traditional and person-centered supports;

  Tools for establishing an agency vision steeped in detail;

  Tools for localizing decision-making;

  Tools for staying focused as an organization and keeping track of the importance of joy Click here to register 

    
• POPARD Conference OCTOBER 18, 2013 | VANCOUVER, BC
  Overcoming Deficits in Executive Skills.  Do your students lose assignments and forget to hand in homework? Are their workspaces disorganized? Would you describe their backpacks and lockers as "black holes" ? presented by Dr. RICHARD GUARE
  Dr. Guare is co-author of the books, Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents,
  Smart but Scattered and Coaching Students with Executive Skill Deficits. He is a
  Registered Psychologist and BCBA-D.  Participants will leave this seminar with a set of tools that includes strategies for task modifications, skill development through cognitive behavioural techniques and creation of incentive systems for use in regular classrooms.  This presentation is targeted towards professionals who already have knowledgeand experience in the field of ASD.This would be considered an intermediate level session, would be appropriate for teachers, allied professionals and para-professionals.  Click here for more details 

• "What Works" in Therapy: Translating 40 years of Outcome Research into Strategies
  for Effective Clinical Practice.For today's practitioner, finding reliable information about "what works" in therapy-separating fact from fiction-can be challenging. "So, "what works?" Drawing from a comprehensive review of 40 years of outcome research in his best-selling book, The Heart and Soul of Change: Delivering "What Works" (with Bruce Wampold and Barry Duncan [APA Press, revised 2008]), Scott D. Miller, Ph.D. will identify core factors responsible for therapeutic success regardless of theoretical orientation or psychiatric diagnosis. The research on "what works" will be carefully translated into practical, common sense, and empirically-supported therapeutic skills that can be used for the efficient and effective resolution of problems clients bring to treatment. Finally, participants will learn a simple, valid, and reliable method for maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment based on using ongoing client feedback to empirically tailor services to the individual client needs and characteristics. Guest Speaker: Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
  is a co-founder of the Center for Clinical Excellence, an international consortium of clinicians, researchers, and educators dedicated to promoting excellence in behavior health.
• October 25, 2013 La Perla Ballroom , New Westminster, BC #230 - 810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC
• Click here for more information and to register 

• Autism Canada Annual "Changing the Course of Autism" Conference
  It's official!  Autism Canada's annual conference will be held this year on October 24th and 25th in Victoria, British Columbia at the Mary Winspear Centre (Sidney, BC). We will be partnering with the Victoria Society for Children with Autism.   Whether you are a parent, educator, medical professional, researcher or individual dedicated to improving the life of individuals with autism, you will not want to miss this 2-day conference/webcast. 
  James Adams, Doreen Granpeesheh, Jim Tanaka,  Heather McCracken, Dave Humphrey,  Eunice Lee, Dave Malterre, Lois Jean Brody, Wendy Edwards.  CLick here for more information 

• Functional Analysis and Treatment of Severe Behavior Disorders - Methods for Educators and Clinicians Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26, 2013 Vancouver, B.C. Presented by Brian Iwata, Ph.D. Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Florida.Functional analysis is considered a "best practice" for identifying the causes of problem behavior such as self-injury, aggression, stereotypy and noncompliance. Dr. Iwata will provide a review of currently used techniques and will illustrate the assessment-treatment continuum using handouts and case examples. The emphasis will be on translating research findings into practical application relevant to clinicians and educators.  Click here for more information and to register  

• Science of Making Friends: Helping Socially Challenged Teens and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Friday, November 1 & Saturday, November 2, 2013. The UCLA Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relationship Skills (PEERS) is a manualized, social skills training intervention for adolescents and young adults. It has a strong evidence-base for use with teens and young adults with ASD, but is also appropriate for teens and young adults with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other socioemotional problems. Elizabeth Laugeson, Ph.D., Director,   PEERS Program, University of California Los Angeles. Click here for more information and to register

• Sibshop Training - Building Community Support for Siblings of Children with Special Needs Friday, November 15th &  Saturday, November 16th, 2013 Vancouver, B.C. Presented by Don Meyer, Director Sibling Support Project, Seattle. With the exception of perhaps mothers, siblings spend more time with children who have developmental disabilities or chronic health impairments than any other family member. And, because the sibling relationship is the longest-lasting relationship in the family, brothers and sisters are likely to experience concerns throughout their lives. Despite their importance, siblings' concerns are too often ignored. For everyone's sake, parents and providers must learn more about life as a brother or sister of a person with special needs. Click here for more information 

• The 6th Annual FASD Fall Conference: Understanding Trauma, will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Douglas College in New Westminster. Registration will open in early fall 2013. Click here for more information  

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Seasonal 

• SPECIAL NEEDS DAY AT Aldor Acres Family Farm 
  Who:  Families with special needs members 
  Where: Aldor Acres Family Farm 
  What: Hayrides, Petting Farms, and 
         Good ol' Fun on the Farm! 
  When: August 25, 2013 from 10am - 4pm    
  Click here for more information 
  604-888-0788 24990 84th Avenue Langley, BC 
  ***By Donation Only***   All Proceeds will go to help support BC special olympics athletes   
• Rock Stars Volunteer Program
  SF Walker                                     Jennifer Burrowes

  vancouverfern@me.com               jenniferburrowes@me.com

  604.789.3568                               778.288.5691
  The music program is an adapted program designed for teens with a desire to share, improve or discover their talent! The program includes education and learning about beats, rhythms, types and styles or music, improvisation, group and solo performance. With each enrolment, registrants will also be involved in one day of volunteering at Fraserview Mennonite Brethren Church in Richmond.
   
• Free Outdoor Movies Vancouver 2013: Complete Metro Vancouver Schedule.  Free Outdoor movies have become part of Vancouver's summertime tradition. Last year, we saw a lot more movies screened outdoors throughout Metro Vancouver and it's making a comeback for 2013! Vancity Buzz's comprehensive list for summer 2013 is categorized by location and municipality, and will be updated with the specific time, location, and movie titles as soon as they are announced. So, make sure to bookmark this and keep checking back with us! And remember to bring a blanket, lawn chair and some snacks. Click here for the schedule   
   
• Adapted Sportball: At Sportball we believe that good health and fitness achieved through sport is essential for everyone. The Adapted Sportball program provides an array of skill-building opportunities for participants with additional needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and other developmental delays. This program was created by modifying and adapting the Sportball methodology to suit the needs of each participant. The instruction and approach are closely monitored and regularly evaluated. The children and young adults that participate in Adapted Sportball are able to enhance their physical and social skills, improve their self-image and self-concept, while developing their attention and listening skills.Also, you can let families know that I would need about 4-5 interested families before  we could choose a date & time that would work.  Adapted Sportball is for ages 5-17, although we typically like to group children together with similar developmental levels.  Click here for more information  
   
• For all Grandparents RAISING granddhildren (GRG). We are planning an exciting picnic for you this year at Queens Park and hope to have a fun surprise or two. This year the promotion will be extremely clear about who the picnic is for. At registration, only GRG families will get their names entered for the prize draw. We hope those two steps will prevent the same problem from arising again. We think it will be a grand event this year and we are all looking forward to seeing you and enjoying a fine day together. If you have any questions or suggestions please send them directly to me or to this year's picnic coordinator, Nicole Molinari email here   
• See you August 18. More details coming very soon.   

• Check out Eureka Camp Programs here! 

• SUMMER JAMBOREE. Jamboree is an incredible opportunity for children on the spectrum to gain experiences, and engage in opportunities in a wide range of Social and Community skills. Camp leaders are experienced BI's and the Camp is run by a certified BCaBA. We use public transit to make our way throughout the city and the children get to practice social and community skills to, from, and during, our daily activities. 
  The camp runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9-4. Children are also required to have a bus pass or tickets and a lunch for each day of camp.  
  Prerequisite Skills for camp: 
  ·        Doesn't require naps 
  ·        Toilet trained 
  ·        Child is at least 4 yrs of age 
  ·        Child has functional language skills (sign, picture, verbal, or other forms) 
  ·        Free Pre-Interview for new families to ensure a good fit for them   
  For more information please contact Kristen Kringhaug email here or Call 778-889-2221. 
   

• Eat, Drink and Be Well - a GAPS™ Camp July 28 -August 3, 2013. Come solo, with friends or family, and prepare to be nourished! Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified
  GAPS practitioner, Kate Hutchinson, works nationally and internationally with families with
  special needs children, helping them to optimize the health and development of their children, and themselves, using nutrition based on the principles of the GAPS diet protocol. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in discovering new possibilities through this five-day course while the children are welcomed into an inclusive childrenʼs play program with wonderful supportive guides. For more information about the course contact Whole Family Nutrition (604) 708-8205 or click here 

• KIDSMATTER SUMMER CAMPS 2013 (variety for different ages and locations) 
  1 Week programs for children with ASD and other Developmental Disabilities for Abbotsford, Langley and Surrey July and August 2013. 
  6-10 year olds 9:30am- 12:20 pm 
  11-15 year olds 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 
  Includes Gluten and Casein free snacks (GFCF), and all required materials. 
  REGISTER BY PHONE OR E MAIL!! 
  Toll Free: 1 877-877-897-0633 LOCAL: 604-746-4331  
   E MAIL: Here  
   
• Friend2Friend Summer Play Camps  Learn more about our Summer Camp Play Groups programs by clicking here.
  Register now by contacting our office here  
• FREE Summer Programs for Expert Players! 
  Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society invites Expert Players (children with advanced social, communication and play skills) ages 4-11 to join our Integrated Play Groups Summer Camps FREE of charge at our state-of-the-art Friend 2 Friend Play Centre.If your child would like to play and make friends at the Friend 2 Friend Play Centre, located at 2941 Kingsway, Vancouver, please contact us 

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Other                

• QUOTE of the day: "The experience of loving a child who thinks differently changes you. A filter is removed from your world lens. And you begin to realize the world is even bigger than you thought -- for all the people you now see used to be invisible".  Flappinessis.com  
   

• Join us for the 2nd Annual Autism Awareness  Photo Fundraiser

  When: Sunday September 8, 2013

  Where: Garden City Park Richmond BC 

  RSVP to book your session time: email here or call  778-822-5995

  Cost: $30 (with 50% going to Autism Speaks)

  Click here to see PurpleButterfly website! 

  Looking forward to taking your picture!

    
• Please click here to see some famlly story videos from FSI!  
• Click here to read Family Support Institute's current Kindling Support Bulletin - filled with great information 

• My name is Melissa Anderson and I work with my grandparents on our family
  farm, Aldor Acres, just east of Fort Langley. We are best known for our
  pumpkin patch in October but we also have a variety of different farm
  animals and open up to the public throughout the spring and summer to allow
  them the "hands-on" farm experience. The reason I am writing to you today is that we are holding a Special NeedsDay on the farm where we will open our gates to families with special needs members. There will be different animal displays set up, a petting farm
  area, hayrides, and just in general a great day out in the country.Admission to the farm will be by donation only with all proceeds going to a charitable organization. The organization that we have chosen is the Special Olympics of BC. The date of the event is Sunday, August 25th from 10am-4pm. Click here for more information  

• Click here for the current edition of Special Needs Magazine  
• Check out the story on page 24 about keeping our children safe in community!
• page 36 - Letting GO!  letting your child have some independence! 

• Family Support Institute is having its' 6th annual Trivia Night on November 1, 2013 (7:30pm-10:00pm - doors open at 7:00pm) at Marlborough Elementary School (6060 Marlborough Avenue in Burnaby).If you are in town, come join us for a night of fun, laughter, food and prizes. The funds raised will help FSI to strengthen and support families faced with the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a family member who has a disability. A limited number of tickets will be sold so get a team together (table of 8) or buy a ticket individually. Come and challenge the FSI board of directors!  Please see the attached flyer for details.  If you would like more information please contact the FSI office at 604-540-8374 (extension 523) / toll free at 1-800-441-5403
• Click here to read Possibilites - FSI Summer Newsletter! 

• Langley Parent Support! The FiT Network Society A Social Educational Network created to get Families in Touch. Monthly FiT meets, seasonal family fun events and casual coffee nights provide opportunities for families who have children with special needs to "Get FiT*" - *Families in Touch. Click here for their website and current events

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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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