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
• 'Do these really exist in nature or not?': Latest edition of psychiatry's diagnostic manual draws fierce criticism.Of all the scorn heaped on the new fifth edition of psychiatry's manual, perhaps the most biting appeared last week in the London Review of Books, in the words of Ian Hacking, a leading Canadian philosopher who held a chair at the Collège de France.The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM], which classifies insanity much as a botanist classifies plants, is "not a representation of the nature or reality of the varieties of mental illness," Prof. Hacking writes. "It is founded on a wrong appreciation of the nature of things."Click here to read more  

• National Autism Association Video for First Responders on Wandering.  Our friends at NAA are the community leaders in exposing the life and death problem of wandering and autism; and proactively educating families, providers and, in this video, first responders. Please share this video with your local first responders. You could save a life. Click on the picture below to see the video.
  

  Autism & Wandering

    
• Opportunity for Parent Participation in New Assessment & Diagnosis of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Sunny Hill Health Centre.  It has been 10 years since the development of the Standards and Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in British Columbia. In light of this time period and the significant changes that have occurred in the world of Autism, on August 22nd and 23rd we will be reviewing the Standards and Guidelines. To do this, we will bring together a multidisciplinary team to review the literature, evaluate our program data, and review information gathered on other Canadian diagnostic clinics. This will inform the revisions to the Standards and Guidelines. To ensure the revised guidelines are fiscally responsible and provide what is in the best interest of children and families, we will need a family member of a child who has been through the assessment process at Sunny Hill in the last year to provide the family perspective while we go through the review. An honorarium will be provided for your time. If you are interested, have been through the assessment process at Sunny Hill (preferably in the last year but we may accept 2-3 years) and can commit to attending the two days listed please contact Susan Greig here.  Please send your contact information and phone number because due to the short time line I will need to conduct a phone interview and orientation. 
• If you cannot participate in the two days but would like to have a voice a number of focus groups will be held in the future regarding the autism standards & guidelines, we are gathering names and email addresses for our Sunny Hill Partners in Pajamas program.  Click here for more information
• If you sign up for this program you can participate if and when you want through email, polls and surveys on our blog here (this is a BCCH/SHHC blog) and Facebook & Twitter.  Your feedback will directly affect the programs and policies regarding autism at Sunny Hill. 

• Joshua Bennet performs spoken word about his brother Levi!  Click on the picture below to hear this performance.

  Joshua Bennett - "Levi"

   

• Derek Paravicini is many things: an incredible piano player, a blind man, an excited talker, a musical savant, and a 30-something with severe autism. Derek Paravicini and Adam Ockelford: In the key of geniusIn today's TED Talk, we get a fascinating peek into how he understands music. Paravicini - who was playing major concert halls at the age of 10 - not only has perfect pitch, that rare ability to recognize and re-create any musical note, but is also able to hear all the individual notes played simultaneously in a piece of music. Paravicini has a memory for an incredible catalogue of songs, and is able to transpose them into any key at will. But while Paravicini has been called "The Human iPod," his longtime piano teacher Adam Ockelford says that this description misses the point.Click here to see this story! 

• Brain differences found between Asperger's and autism.  Children with Asperger's syndrome show patterns of brain connectivity distinct from those of children with autism, according to a new study. The findings suggest the two conditions, which are now in one category in the new psychiatry diagnostic manual, may be biologically different. Click here to read more 

• Brain Chemistry in Autism Changes with Age.  Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have distinct brain chemical changes that differ from children with other developmental delays as well as typically developing children, according to researchers at the University of Washington.  And these changes seem to resolve themselves after 10 years of age.Click here to read more 

   

• Gastrointestinal problems have ties to autism.  The bacteria in your guts are like a baseball team. Let's call them the Biomes. If the players are out of sync, the team will suffer. But if the manager (you) puts a good mix of players on the field (and in your gut), you'll see better results.Click here to read more   

• Children with autism may have elevated immune response to gluten.  Children with autism displayed increased immune reactivity to gluten proteins compared with developmentally healthy children, recent findings suggest. The increased immunoglobulin G antibody response appeared to be related to gastrointestinal symptoms commonly found in children afflicted by the disorder, but there was no connection to celiac disease.Click here to read more  

• Dating on the Autism Spectrum.  What it's like to look for romance when "a big smile can be frightening".The way to Paulette Penzvalto's heart is through her Outlook calendar. "Honestly, if you want to be romantic with me, send an email through Outlook and give me all the possible dates, locations, and times, so that I can prepare," she said. The former Miss America contestant and Juilliard-trained opera singer knew she had a different conception of romance than her previous boyfriends had and, for that matter, everyone else.Click here to read more 

• Aspienwomen: Adult Women with Asperger Syndrome. Moving towards a female profile of Asperger Syndrome. The following list is an official working document consisting of the unique characteristics and traits of adult women with Asperger Syndrome, or Aspienwomen. This list comes from the many adult women I have worked with over the years. I have assessed, observed, diagnosed and worked with hundreds of girls and women of all ages. This document is based on my clinical anecdotal evidence and research by other well-known professionals. I will be modifying and/or updating this list from time to time. This list was written from my reflections, observations and experience, and is written in no particular order. No-one person needs to have every trait, and it is rare that a person would identify with every trait. Click here to read more 

• Autism breakthrough at Sick Kids . Groundbreaking pilot study finds genetic risk in 50 per cent of autistic cases.New research has identified genetic risk in 50 per cent of autism cases, bringing scientists closer to unravelling the mysteries of the neurological disorder.

  Previously, doctors only had the ability to identify about 20 per cent of the genetic risks of autism, a condition that strikes one in 88 people and is considered a growing public-health challenge. Click here to read more 

• What Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?  One of the questions I am most commonly asked as a psychiatrist specializing in child psychiatry is, "What causes autism?" The dissatisfying, but truthful answer is that nobody really knows. It is probably due to a variety of factors, including genetic and environmental influences. My answer, however, often leaves the questioner feeling a little bit shortchanged, especially with the current surge of new reports linking yet another "risk factor" to autism. In the last couple of months alone, air pollution, gluten sensitivity, maternal antibodies, a lack of folic acid and a number of genetic mutations have all emerged as possible causes of this spectrum disorder. Hence the question arises: why is it so difficult for doctors and scientists to pinpoint the cause for this growing and serious condition? Click here to read more 
   
• Autism Research: August 4 Week in Review. Siblings of special kids probably have dysfunction too, parental survey reveals A study that surveyed parents of children with disabilities has revealed that the siblings of their children are more likely to have problems in schoolwork, behaviour, recreational activities and relationships. Anthony Goudie, the lead author said that he was convinced the problem was due to family situation that is affected by having a child with special needs. 'Click here to read more 
   
•  With Training, Most With Autism Land Jobs. When offered intensive, specialized training, a new study finds that young people with autism - even those with challenging behaviors - can be highly successful on the job. Researchers followed a group of high school students, some of whom received traditional special education offerings while others were provided with specialized training and internships through a program called "Project SEARCH with Autism Supports." Click here to read more 

• Non Verbal Autistic Kids with Cameras Discover a way to Communicate.  Many children diagnosed with autism have difficulty articulating their thoughts and feelings, relating socially to other people, and processing information, especially in a typical classroom setting. But this hasn't meant autistic individuals have nothing to say or don't want to communicate. It doesn't even mean that they can't communicate.Click here to read more 

• Deaths of wandering autistic kids prompt action.With the death last week of an 11-year-old Minnesota boy, there are now at least 14 children with autism known to have died in the U.S. this year after slipping away from their caregivers. The tragic phenomenon goes by various names - wandering, elopement, bolting - and about half of autistic children are prone to it.  Click here to read more

   

• More Residential Support needed for adults with Autism.From diagnosis and therapies, to job placement and residential options, parents of autistic children are often faced with difficult decisions.Today, the number of children suffering from autism spectrum disorders stands at 1 in 88, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As these children grow older, one of the primary challenges for families lies in finding appropriate housing options for autistic adults.  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!

    
• Breakthrough Study Reveals Biological Basis for Sensory Processing Disorders in Kids.Sensory processing disorders (SPD) are more prevalent in children than autism and as common as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, yet the condition receives far less attention partly because it's never been recognized as a distinct disease.Pratik Mukherjee, MD, PhD. In a groundbreaking new study from UC San Francisco, researchers have found that children affected with SPD have quantifiable differences in brain structure, for the first time showing a biological basis for the disease that sets it apart from other neurodevelopmental disorders.  Click here to read more
          
•  Autism's Unexpected Link to Cancer Genes.  Researchers studying two seemingly unrelated conditions - autism and cancer - have unexpectedly converged on a surprising discovery. Some people with autism have mutated cancer or tumor genes that apparently caused their brain disorder.  Click here to read more 

• 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

• Do You Resent Your ADHD Teen? Guilt, anger, and grief are natural responses to raising a child with special needs. Take care of yourself - and protect your relationship with your child - by managing those feelings appropriately.  Parenting is not for the weak of heart. Even before your baby comes home from the hospital, you've already earned a merit badge for getting through pregnancy and labor (or years of waiting, if you've adopted).Click here to read more

• When Your Teen Takes Over. It's natural for a teenager to want to take charge of his life. But what's a parent to do when he turns down help with managing attention deficit?

  "I'm tired of this whole ADHD thing. I just want to be myself. I'm gonna go it on my own from now on.""But Justin," his mom responded, "you're in 11th grade. This is the year that's crucial for college. You know that. Don't you want to make sure that you do your absolute best?" Click here to read more  

• Discipline Your Teens Can Live With. Discipline strategies that will leave parents and ADHD teenagers on talking terms.The best way to prevent discipline problems in the ADHD teen years is to instill good behavior at an early age - I know, I know, why didn't I tell you that seven years ago? - and reinforce it as your child grows.While there are no quick fixes for discipline problems in adolescence, the following rules can help establish the groundwork for cooperation and peace at home. Click here to read more 

• ADHD Teachers and Parents: Teamwork Tips. A school teacher and mother of an ADHD child shares her strategies for building a good relationship with the school. I'm a teacher who has worked with attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) children, and I'm a mother whose son has ADHD, so I have seen ADHD from both sides of the desk. Here are some of my strategies to create a winning relationship with your child's teacher and school:   Click here to read more 

• ADHD in the Classroom: Change School or Request New Accommodations? Is your ADD/ADHD child having trouble with school work? Sometimes, knowing which accommodations to ask for can be just as effective as changing schools.  Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) can learn -- often as well as many of their classmates -- but when they struggle to manage their symptoms, they flounder in the classroom. One of my students, Joseph, was an active, creative 10-year-old, but before he received the appropriate ADD/ADHD treatments and ADD/ADHD school and classroom accommodations, he frequently called out in class and changed gears arbitrarily. He would gather his scattered materials and chat with his classmates when he should have been working on an assignment. It was hard for him to settle down and focus on homework or classwork. He lagged behind his peers in everything that required executive function skills. Click here to read more  

      

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   Down Syndrome  

• The CDSS, in partnership with Civitan International Foundation of Canada, is proud to announce our latest information booklet, the Educator Package. The Canadian Down Syndrome Society has put together this resource to assist educators and parents in their journey towards a fully inclusive classroom. It features information on inclusive education, tips on how to best support students with Down syndrome, and real life stories of inclusion from a student with Down syndrome and from a teacher.Click here for more information

• Spain's Down Syndrome councillor makes history.  Spain's first-ever town councillor with Down Syndrome is set to start work in the Spanish city of Valladolid on Monday, but many people with her condition in Spain find themselves unable to vote because of a legal loophole.Click here to read more 
   
• Virginia woman prevails in complicated guardianship fight. Jenny Hatch, 29, who has Down syndrome, can live independently, at odds with her parents' wishes, a judge ruled.

  Virginia woman prevails in complicated guardianship fightJenny Hatch, 29, who has Down syndrome, can live independently, at odds with her parents' wishes, a judge ruled.  Click here to read more 

      
• Silencing the extra Chromosome 21.  Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have discovered a scientific breakthrough that suppresses the effects of the extra chromosome that causes Down Syndrome. But some worry this new research further marginalizes people with Down syndrome. Could this be the beginning of the end for the genetic condition?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

• The Surprisingly Simple Change That Totally Turned One School Around. There's a widely held assumption that hiring more security guards (with guns!) will solve violence and other problems in our schools. After one school churned through five principals in seven years and become known as a "dropout factory," a principal decided to turn that idea on its head. The results are absolutely miraculous.   Click here to read more  

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FASD

• FASD impacts brain development throughout childhood and adolescence not just at birth.  Medical researchers at the University of Alberta recently published findings showing that brain development is delayed throughout childhood and adolescence for people born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).Click here to read more

• 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

• Sun, Aug 11 - Imagine the need to eat constantly. It's a rare but real disorder known as Prader Willi Syndrome that affects one in 15 thousand Canadians, including a little Ladner girl. And that has her family hoping you'll join them in their fight to find a cure. Ryan Sang reports.  Click here to see the video 

• New Hope for Families Coping with Severe Mental Illnesses. Family caregivers in Canada for people with psychotic illnesses have recently been given a rare reason to celebrate. The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) has released its new guidelines for involving families in the mental health system. Since family caregivers for people with psychotic disorders often supply the majority of mental health support, these efforts to create a more family friendly mental health system represent a huge step forward. Click here to read more  

• Social Security To Drop 'Mental Retardation'.The Social Security Administration will become the latest federal agency to start using the term "intellectual disability" in lieu of "mental retardation."In a final rule published in the Federal Register on Thursday, Social Security officials said they approved the change in terminology citing "widespread adoption" of the term "intellectual disability.""Advocates for individuals with intellectual disability have rightfully asserted that the term 'mental retardation' has negative connotations, has become offensive to many people, and often results in misunderstandings about the nature of the disorder and those who have it," Social Security indicated. Click here to read more  
   
• COMPLEX CHILD - August Edition - Palliative Care NEW

• 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!  

• 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

•  Find The Perfect App. With over a thousand apps now available to help individuals with special needs it has become increasingly difficult to find and choose the right special needs app. The Friendship Circle App Review gives you the ability to find the perfect special needs app for your child.  Click here to read more 

   

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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.   

• 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 Groups® 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 Groups® and Friend 2 Friend Models
  Presented by Dr. Pamela Wolfberg and Heather McCracken

  This specialized two-day seminar brings together the Integrated Play Groups® (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 

• Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7 - 9PM
  The Use of the iPad for Special Needs Students
  Nadine Trottier, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) for the Burnaby School District, and Bridget Gaster, Elementary Teacher in an alternate program providing support to students with ASD, will discuss using iPads in a meaningful way with special needs students.  
  Friday, October 25, 2013, 9 - 10:30AM
  Asperger's Syndrome and Mental Health
  Dr. David Worling, Clinical Director of Westcoast Child Development Group, will discuss a number of common mental health challenges that can coexist with Asperger's Syndrome.
  Friday, October 25, 2013, 10:45AM - 12:15PM
  Functional Approach to Challenging Behaviour
  Tina Linton, Clinical Director of Family Canted Practices Group, will provide a better understanding of why children with ASD engage in challenging behaviours, as well as a process for establishing strategies to better address and diminish behaviour challenges.
  Panel Presentation on the Autistic Child in the Classroom - 12:45 - 2PM
  Workshops will be held at the University Women's Club at Hycroft, 1489 McRae Ave (at 16th and Granville) Vancouver, BC.
  Parking available on The Crescent and side streets.
  Cost: Thursday October 24 - $35
  Friday October 25 - $110
  Early Bird Special for Both - $130 (before Sept 30)
   More information, online payment and registration available here Inquiries: email here

• "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 

• Save the Date: November 22: Restraint and Seclusion: Hear our Stories. Inclusion BC, with Family Support Institute and Douglas College will announce the results of our provincial survey on restraint and seclusion, and hold a viewing and discussion of the film "Restraint and Seclusion: Hear Our Stories" on November 22.

  When: Friday, November 22nd, 2013. 5-9 pm (light supper included)

  Where: Douglas College, Lecture Theatre, Room 2201 700 Royal Avenue New Westminster,  

  Speakers include: Dr. Pat Mirenda, UBC - Postive Behaviour Support; Dr. Vianne Timmons, U of Regina - Benefits of Inclusive Education for all. Contact: Karen De Long 604-777-9100 or email here 

   
• 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 

• Outdoor gatherings, trips to the beach, even heading out for a hike may seem simple enough, but for parents whose children may be prone to wandering away from a safe environment, any summertime activity can feel like a game of "what if."While extreme elopement cases may require extreme precautions, most autism families can- and should-enjoy fun in the sun without fearing the worst. Here are 11 tips to help keep your kiddos safe this summer:  Click here to read more 
   
• Click here for Fall Social Skills Programs from Kids Matter Inc.

• 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

• Special Stars Dance Program. An inclusive dance program for students with special needs. Our Special Stars Program is designed for Students with special needs in mind. This class provides an opportunity for all students to enjoy dance. Classes will combine ballet and jazz technique to create a dynamic class that offers opportunities for self expression. Our Special Stars Dance Program has 5 major goals:  
  1. To share the love of dance with all members of our community and use dance as a tool to allow all students to express them selves and develop positive self concepts.  
  2. To help students develop their coordination, stamina and agility. Through fun dance activities that encourage the use of several muscle groups.  
  3. To give students to opportunity to share their love of dance through community performances, 
  4. To bring together students from all walks of life through dance.  
  5. For students to develop positive relationships and connections with those in their community. 
  Our instructor has 5 years of experience teaching dance as well as 6 years working with children of all abilities. Miss Amanda has taught adaptive dance classes for Surrey Parks Recreation and Culture and is excited to welcome the Special Stars to A4D. She has worked with students with a variety of challenges, including developmental delays, downs syndrome, autism, vision impairments and hearing impairments. Classes will be a mixture of ballet and jazz technique. We welcome students of all abilities. Our only requirement for this program is that Students are able to walk and run unaided. Miss Amanda will work with the parents to develop a plan of how best to work with each individual students.We will also have both student and community volunteers to act as a buddy for each child who would like one to assist them as needed.Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.Unit # 108-19292 60 Ave Surrey BCV3S 3M2 Phone: 604-427-3331
  E-mail: here  
   
• 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   
   
• 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.   

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Other                

• QUOTE of the day: "I have a dream that people with autism will be accepted and loved for who they are and not for who they are not.
  I have a dream that people with autism are loved as themselves, not to be 'fixed' or 'cured.'
  I have a dream that people with autism will have real jobs with real money, not sheltered workshops.
  I have a dream that people with autism will be treated with respect when it comes to employment and not prejudice and discrimination.
  I have a dream that people with autism will be expected to learn in the classroom like any other student, but in their own ways.
  I have a dream that all of God's children can live together with respect and dignity for all."
  Paul John Bovee.
   
• Looking for a Speech Language Pathologist? Jill Topp has a message for you!  I hope you have had a great summer. As summer is starting to come to an end, I have been preparing my caseload for the fall. I wanted to inform you that I am now accepting new clients, starting in September. Should you know of anyone who is searching for a qualified speech-language pathologist, I can help. Potential clientele can learn about me and my services here, on my website. My phone number is 604 277-6906. Your referrals are greatly appreciated!All the Best, Jill Topp

• Registered Disability Savings Plan Info Session
  Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm  Richmond  

  Location: Richmond Centre for Disability, 100-5671 No. 3 Road, Richmond

  About the Event: The Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) is offering free RDSP Information Sessions. Join us to learn about the RDSP, the Canadian Disability Savings Grant and the Canada Disability Savings Bond. The RDSP helps Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. You should consider opening an RDSP if you have a long-term disability and are under age 60 (you must apply before the end of the calendar year in which you turn 59); a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number (SIN); eligible for the Disability Tax Credit; and looking for a long-term savings plan.

  For more information please visit the Richmond Centre for Disability website or call 604-232-2404

   

• 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!

• 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  

•  Teaching the Toileting Hidden Curriculum.  When at a restaurant this week, I went to use the bathroom. Luckily, I speak French and knew the difference between femmes and garçons so could navigate which bathroom to use. Had my two children with autism been confronted with that on the doors, they wouldn't have known which door to choose. It got me thinking...how to do we teach the symbols for toilet, which one to use if you're male or female, and general washroom etiquette?  Click here to read more  
• 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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