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 

• Reach Presentation: Positive Parenting: The Basics and Beyond. Two Tuesdays - November 19th and 26th from 10am - 2pm. An interactive approach to creating a positive, supportive atmosphere for your family interactions.  You will learn:

  • positive strategies for dealing with
    difficult behaviour
  • how to diffuse power struggles
  • offer appropriate choices
  • be consistent
  • provide consequences

  model appropriate behaviour and much more!

  Fleetwood Library

  15996 - 84 Avenue

  Surrey,BC

  Time:               10am - 2pm

  Date:               Tuesdays November 19 & 26

  Cost:                $20 per person for both sessionsCash or cheque at the door 

  Please plan on attending both sessions

  Water and snack will be provided. Please bring a nut free lunch or purchase a lunch during the 30 minute lunch break

• For more information and to register please call: Pam Collins by email here or call  604.946.6622, ext. 359 

• Reach Presentation: Sharing the Autism Diagnosis with your Child. Tuesday December 3, 2013 6:30 - 8:30pm.  

  Sharing the autism diagnosis with our children can be scary. What will they think? How will they react? When is the right time, the right age? What do we say? Who else do we tell, when and why?Come and learn how you can positively share this information with your child so they can feel great about themselves and learn to become their own advocates.

  Target audience: parents or caregivers of children & youth with special needs aged 5 - 17 years old. Facilitated by Pam Collins, Behaviour Consultant/Parent Educator.

  Where:            Reach ABA Boardroom

  Time:               6:30 - 8:30pm

  Date:               Tuesday December 3, 2013

  Cost:                $20 per person

                          Cash or cheque at the door 

  Water and snack will be provided.

  There is no child-minding during these sessions.

• For more information and to register please email:

  Pam Collins here or call 604.946.6622, ext. 359 

• Social Smart Group(SSG)- Learning Social Skills and Using them! Social skills are one of the most important skills that children need to learn. More importantly, children need to have the opportunity to use the social skills they have learned. Social Smart Group is a program that provides a natural setting where children with Autism and Special Needs will be learning and practicing the social skills through playing, chatting, snacking, outings, and more.Social Smart Group is a 1.5-hour program that runs once a week for 10 weeks. There will be 6-8 children in the group, programmed by one behaviour consultant and one group facilitator. Throughout the 10 weeks, our goal is to help strengthen your child's social skills by guiding, coaching, and supporting their social interaction with their peers.
• Who: Grade 2 - 4 boys and girls Time: Wednesday, 6:00pm - 7:30pm Dates: Jan.8th -March 12th, 2014 Location: 10921 82nd Ave, North Delta Cost: $700 per child for 10 weeks
• Who: Grade 5 - 7 boys and girls Time: Tuesday, 6:00pm - 7:30pm Dates: Jan.7th- March.11th, 2014 Location: 10921 82nd Ave, North Delta Cost: $700 per child for 10 weeks
• Registration - Monisha Jassi: TEL: 604-946-6622, ext 315 or Email here. **Most families use the autism funding to cover the cost of the program

• FINDS - Thriftshop at REACH! Raising funds to help support Reach programs 
  Open Every Monday 9:00am - 11:30am with Extended Christmas Shopping Days
  Saturday, November 16 & December 14 CASH ONLY purchases (no credit cards or debit cards) #3-3800 72nd Street, Delta, BC 604.946.6622 ext. 300
  Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm
  Please bring in your clean, resalable quality items for children 12 years and under: children's clothing, shoes, bedding, books, toys, DVD's, and games including functioning electronic games. We will also accept and sell maternity wear. 

• REACH PARENT SUPPORT GROUP  
  This group is for you if you are a parent or guardian of a child with additional needs who would like to talk with other parents about your struggles, concerns, successes and strategies. We meet to talk about certain topics and local resources, but mostly we are meeting to support each other in our journey with our children.
  Led by clinical counsellor, Yvonne McKenna, this monthly drop-in group might just be what you need.
  Where: Reach Play and Learn Centre, 11425 84th Ave, Delta
  When: The 2nd Tuesday of the month - 6:30 to 8:00 pm
  Fall Schedule
  November 12 - Setting Positive Limits
  December 10 - Celebrating Achievements
  Call (604) 946-6622 Ext 347 for more information. If you come or call, Yvonne will email you monthly to remind you of the upcoming event and other resources.  

• 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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• Asperger syndrome in adulthood: Our kids are growing up. Relationships, Employment, Education, Lifestyle,Treatment and Support.  Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 Time: 07:00PM. SF Walker is a behaviour consultant and the co-owner of Coach Family Services. She also has Asperger syndrome and will be sharing anecdotes and insight about life on the spectrum. The event is free and open to the public.To register contact us: here 

• Friend2Friend Press Release: Local Charity Creates International Autism Demystification Program to Support Adults with Autism in the Workplace 
  Vancouver, B.C. - Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society is proud to announce the launch of their new program Demystifying Autism in the Workplace: The Friend 2 Friend Model
  "Individuals on the autism spectrum make wonderful employees and co-workers. They are reliable, hardworking, honest and bring many talents and skills to the table," says McCracken, creator of the Friend 2 Friend Model and programs and Founder/Executive director of Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society. The program teaches employers and co-workers effective, prosocial communication strategies and provides ongoing support to ensure the ultimate success of the program. Benefits for employers include gaining access to an enormous untapped talent pool of highly capable workers while at the same time creating an inclusive educated workplace.Click here to read more 

• The Vancouver Asperger Autism Union: A place where those with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can form social and support networks by connecting on line and meeting up on a regular basis. While anyone can join this group, this forum is intended for adults and families with children/teens who cope with AS and ASD every day. Click here for more information, meeting times and contacts

• Autistic Teen Scores Dream Touchdown.A McKinney teenager scored the touchdown of the season at Monday night's football game. Fourteen-year-old Braden Bingham looks like he was born to play football, weighing 259 pounds and standing at six feet, three and a half inches tall. "He's his own zip code," said Clay Bingham of his son. Click here to read more and see the video 

• Video: I am still autistic John Hall.  Autism does not have to be a life sentence. Dr. John Hall knows. As a toddler, he lived in his own private world, flipping light switches, banging pans, avoiding eye contact, and babbling unintelligibly. Today, he is the CEO of a national education management firm based in Southern California. Defying his initial "slightly retarded, low-functioning autistic" diagnosis, he pushed himself through elementary, high school, and college, earned an MBA, and was even awarded a Doctorate! He is also a father of two children, one with special needs.

  Am I Still Autistic: John Hall at TEDxManhattanBeach

    
• Managing Overstimulation and Stress in Children with Autism. Children with autism can frequently become overwhelmed or over stimulated by situations beyond their control.  As caregivers, teachers and therapists we may not always know the cause of their discomfort so its important to have a toolbox of calming strategies to help kids calm down, refocus and get back on task.  Furthermore, you can prepare for a potentially stressful event by allowing a child to choose a calming activity and use it before the event and to calm down afterwards.  Below is a list of common calming techniques you can use with the autistic children you support.  Click here to read more 

• Children who have autism far more likely to have tummy troubles. The gastrointestinal problems are linked to problem behaviors in children with autism, developmental delay.
  (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Children with autism experience gastrointestinal (GI) upsets such as constipation, diarrhea and sensitivity to foods six-to-eight times more often than do children who are developing typically, and those symptoms are related to behavioral problems, including social withdrawal, irritability and repetitive behaviors, a new study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute has found. Click here to read more 
• Wakefield was right, autism is linked to gut problems. As the discredited Andrew Wakefield observed years ago, children with autism are far more likely to suffer gastro-intestinal (GI) problems such as constipation, diarrhea and food sensitivities. In fact, autistic children are eight times more likely to suffer from a gut upset, researchers report this week.   Although Wakefield mooted that the MMR vaccine could be triggering GI problems-and was struck off for his troubles-researchers from the University of California are more non-committal, and say they don't know the cause.  Nonetheless, the association is there, as the researchers found when they examined a thousand autistic children. The children were six to eight times more likely than a non-autistic child to have a GI problem, which is linked to autistic behaviour such as social withdrawal, irritability and repetitive behaviour.  (Source: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2013; doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1973-x) Click here for link 
• GI Distress and Autism: Q&A with Pediatric Gastroenterologist Tim Buie.  In response to this week's high-profile report linking gastrointestinal distress and behavioral issues in autism, we invited the highly respected pediatric gastroenterologist Timothy Buie to answer parent questions. Dr. Buie specializes in autism care and research at Massachusetts General Hospital's Lurie Center for Autism, a member of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network. Click here to read more   

• Autism Signs Spotted In First Months Of Life. Autism can be detected in infants as young as 2 months by tracking their eye movements, researchers say, marking the earliest signs of the developmental disorder ever observed. Researchers found that between the ages of 2 and 24 months, children who were later diagnosed with autism looked less and less at other people's eyes as compared to kids who did not develop the disorder.Click here to read more 

• AUTISM FILE: Budget-friendly, at-home programs to increase functional communication in children with autism...By Alix Strickland, BCaBA.  Parents as therapists. As the parent of a child with autism, you are constantly searching to stimulate and teach your child as well as learning to communicate successfully with him. Sometimes the interaction you crave with your child seems out of reach. It is essential to have a "magic box of tricks"-activities that are fun and challenging enough to increase your child's functional communication. Click here to read more 

•  SAVE THE DATE - 2nd Annual Richmond Autism Resource Fair.  Featuring presentations, youth advocates, parent panel and resource/vendor booths and the Canucks Autism Van!   Please register and receive a free lunch!!! 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  

• Specialisterne Canada is now recruiting in Vancouver.
  We are looking for people with autism to work as consultants in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY positions. If you want to know more and are interested in applying, please visit our website here and click on the  opportunities link on the home page.

• 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

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   Down Syndrome  

• Wanted!  25 sibs between 8 -13 years old to participate in a demonstration Sibshop: 4 hours of fun activities
  Saturday, November 16, 201310 am to 2 pm
  SFU Downtown Campus - Harbour Centre 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C.
  ACT - Autism Community Training and the Down Syndrome Research Foundation are partnering on a special training November 15 & 16th focused on the needs of siblings of children with special needs.
  To improve community supports for siblings, we are providing Sibshop Faciliator Training, facilitated by Don Meyer of the Sibling Support Project in Seattle. Don is an internationally recognized writer of multiple books on the sibshop approach which he developed.
  We are looking for approximately 25 siblings of kids with special needs, from between 8 to 13 years old, to participate in a demonstration Sibshop.
  Treats for the siblings and their parents:The kids will have a fun filled four hours (including a kid-friendly lunch!) Kids will receive a $15 iTunes gift card as a thank you for participating.
  The parents who transport them will be given a $50 gift voucher towards an ACT event or online video.ACT will provide full supervision. Parents are not required to stay as it has been found that siblings appreciate an opportunity to engage with their peers without a parental presence!If you are a parent whose child without a special need is an interested sibling, please contact Vivian Walker, ACT's event planner, before November 1st for more information. Vivian can be reached at 604-205-5467 or by email here 

• 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

• BEST BUDDIES: Yesterday, the first chapter event of the year for Best Buddies was held at UBC. They recruited twenty UBC volunteer 'Peer Buddy' students, but only four 'Buddies', young adults with intellectual disabilities, have registered.  If you have a young adult who would like to be part of this international friendship organization, you can find out more about them on the Canadian website: here 
  If interested, fill out an online application.  The UBC volunteer student program coordinator is Aman email here.  You have to register online every year. Make sure you do not leave any spaces blank. If you do not know what to fill in... School, host agency...just select something in the drop-down menu and then write your situation in the comments box. The Down's syndrome Association is one of our area host agencies. My daughter has had Peer Buddies for several years. It is the ONLY social connection she has to anyone close to her age. She is ecstatic every time she hears she will be connecting by Skype or will be meeting with her Peer Buddy. 
  Sign up right now...peer volunteers are available, events are being planned. Aman needs to create matches between peer students and applicants. Best regards,CF 

• Autism File goes Digital!! Click here for the first copy dedicated to education issues, IEP's to Classroom Technology!  

• Channel Boisterous Energy at Recess! Click here for Barry MacDonalds current newsletter Mentoring BOYS!
  
   

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FASD

• Thunder Bay bar unveils pregnancy test dispenser. Group hopes dispenser prompts women to learn about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. A Thunder Bay bar is now first in Canada to offer pregnancy tests in its women's washroom. The dispenser installed at The Outpost at Lakehead University was provided by the group Healthy Brains for Children with the hope of preventing future cases of 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

• Children's Mental Health Research Quarterly - Focus ono troubling trends in medication - click here    

•  COMPLEX CHILD: Orthopedic Issues 

• 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

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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    

• Reach Presentation: Positive Parenting: The Basics and Beyond. Two Tuesdays - November 19th and 26th from 10am - 2pm. An interactive approach to creating a positive, supportive atmosphere for your family interactions.  You will learn:positive strategies for dealing with
  
  • • difficult behaviour
    • how to diffuse power struggles
    • offer appropriate choices
    • be consistent
    • provide consequences

    model appropriate behaviour and much more!

    Fleetwood Library

    15996 - 84 Avenue

    Surrey,BC

    Time:               10am - 2pm

    Date:               Tuesdays November 19 & 26

    Cost:                $20 per person for both sessions. Cash or cheque at the door 

    Please plan on attending both sessions

    Water and snack will be provided. Please bring a nut free lunch or purchase a lunch during the 30 minute lunch break

  • For more information and to register please call: Pam Collins by email here or call  604.946.6622, ext. 359 

    
• 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 

• Understanding and Caring for Adults and Adolescents with FASD . WJS Canada Training Division Wednesday, 20 November 2013 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (PST)

  Maple Ridge, British Columbia. FASD is an invisible disability. The challenges with learning and functioning experienced by the person living with FASD are caused by brain damage. Although individuals learn strategies to cope with their everyday challenges, the brain damage is permanent. The prenatal effects of alcohol vary and therefore the strengths and needs of those living with FASD vary widely and may fluctuate from day to day and situation to situation. Supports need to responsive, respectable, creative, and flexible. All individuals have strengths that need to be recognized, identified and nurtured. Theresa Grech has worked with adolescents and adults with FASD, PDD, and developmental disabilities, and their caregivers and families for fifteen years, in the capacity of counselor, behavioural therapist, and educator. Click here for more information and to register  
   
• Cities Fit for Children 2013 Conference
  November 21 - 22, 2013 Guildford Sheraton Surrey BC
  
  Surrey is proud to host Cities Fit For Children 2013 - See more here 
  Cities Fit for Children 2013 Conference is a provincial summit to bring together municipal, child development, and other professionals to share expertise and ideas in making communities fit for children and youth.  

• 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  

• Asperger syndrome in adulthood: Our kids are growing up. Relationships, Employment, Education, Lifestyle,Treatment and Support.  Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 Time: 07:00PM. SF Walker is a behaviour consultant and the co-owner of Coach Family Services. She also has Asperger syndrome and will be sharing anecdotes and insight about life on the spectrum. The event is free and open to the public.To register contact us: here

• Pivot Point Presents: FASD 101: An Introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
  Langley Events Centre  7888 200 St, Langley.  Thursday November 28, 2013 From 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM. Presenter: Roxanne Hughes has been an FASD Key Worker, with PCRS, for the past 7 years, since the inception of the program in BC. She provides support to families who are parenting youth (ages 12-18) who have FASD or Complex needs (difficulties similar to FASD). In addition to one to one family support, Roxanne also facilitates monthly parent support groups and offers training to a broad range of community partners. She is also involved with the FASD Collaboration Roundtable, which is comprised of professionals from a broad range of community agencies who work collaboratively to identify, advocate and provide training in regards to FASD. She has a Bachelor's in Social Work and is currently working on a Master's in Social Work degree. Click here to register  

• LGBTTTIQQA: Where is your agency at?  Vancouver | December 5
  Noted Canadian LGBTQ advocate and educator Rachel Epstein comes to BC this December to conduct a one-day workshop that explores practical strategies for making programs and services more welcoming and accessible for same-sex parents and their children. This workshop focuses on getting your agency ready to serve and support LGBTQ communities.
• Chinese Cultural Centre, Vancouver
  $125* (Lunch & light refreshments provided)  Click here to register 

• Zones of Regulation!!  Leah Kuypers Friday February 28, 2014 and Judy Endow Saturday March 1, 2014.  Autism Awareness Centre is very proud to bring these two  speakers to Richmond BC!
• Friday February 28 - Zones of Regulation by Leah Kuypers:

  This presentation provides teachers, therapists and parents with hands-on knowledge on the nature of self-regulation and strategies for improving self-regulation and emotional control in individuals of all ages. The presentation addresses topics such as: the brain's involvement, typical development, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and executive functioning.

  Audience participants will learn an explicit, stair-stepped method and tools to guide individuals in utilizing The Zones framework across situations and environments to regulate sensory needs, impulses, and emotional states to social demands. Visuals and student work samples are highlighted to illustrate numerous learning activities. A variety of tools (sensory supports, calming techniques, and thinking strategies) are explored to help individuals recognize their internal emotions, sensory needs, and thinking patterns in each zone, when shifting from one zone to another, and then to self-regulate within zones. Participants explore ideas on how to teach, when, why, and how to use tools effectively. The Zones of Regulation presentation also incorporates core concepts from Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking® framework to help teach individuals about perspective taking so they better understand how being in the different zones impacts the thoughts and feelings of other people around them.

• Saturday March 1 -Outsmarting Explosive Behavior by Judy Endow 

  This presentation, based on the book Outsmarting Explosive Behavior, a Visual System of Support and Intervention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, describes an effective way to support individuals with explosive behaviors by using a visual system of four train cars to depict the stages of explosive behavior along with stop and go signs to show effective support strategies to use during each stage in the explosive behavior cycle. This model has been effectively used with numerous students (Early Childhood through Adulthood), continues to be a part of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Autism Training Project and has been published by AAPC Publishing as a three part kit (facilitator manual, visual system and student workbook).

  Practical Solutions to Stabilize Students With Classic Autism

  Based on Judy's publication, Practical Solutions to Stabilize Students with Classic Autism to Be Ready to Learn: Getting to Go, this presentation clearly delineates the nuts and bolts of what Judy does when she is called in to consult for a student with classic autism. Included are many practical strategies for supporting a student to be all he can be - his best version of self and most available for learning. This application of this information has been many a student's ticket onward to eventual placement in a more inclusive educational setting.

• Click here for more information and to register  

• Summer Institute 2014 Creating the Future- Partnerships for Inclusive Learning is a summer conference designed to provide a robust learning environment that will facilitate strategic approaches to inclusion and belonging for all students in B.C.'s elementary and secondary schools.
  Many of the support calls that FSI gets in our office and through our volunteer network are school based challenges. Many of our families want for their kids to be included, adored, have access to a good solid education, and have a network of friends who celebrate their abilities and accomplishments. We know schools are filled with educated well-meaning professionals who are looking for tools to help them deal with the complexity of classrooms and diversity. We have designed this Summer Institute to bring school based team members from all over BC together to look at ways to create inclusive schools for all kids.Registration is now open!

This three-day conference will take place on August 25-27, 2014  at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Participants will include administrators, teachers, parents, paraprofessionals, therapists and other members of a school based team.

This year's chosen topics of study are Universal Design for Learing (UDL), Positive Behaviour Supports (PBS), Literacy, Transition, Inclusion in the BC Context, Parent-Professional Relationships, and Social Networks.

Cost is $250 per person (15% discount to teams of 3 and more from the same school). Early bird $200 by April 30th, 2014. Click here for more information 

 

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Seasonal 

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Other                

• QUOTE of the day:  

• KIDSMATTER: Our Social Skills Programs are an intensive developmental intervention. These evidence-based, after-school programs teach children with developmental disabilities the skills they need to be fully included members of their community. Participants are provided with one-to-six staffing  as they learn to navigate a wide variety of activities, to engage in satisfying peer relationships and to interact with small and large groups.

• Best Me I Can Be... Our 'Best Me' programs are designed for children ages 5-12.  Our groups cover everything from how to introduce ourselves to peers and how to communicate our likes and dislikes. We practice maintaining conversations, staying on topic, interpreting facial expressions and cues as well as how to demonstrate active listening.  Social Thinking skills and perspective taking are a constant in our groups.  This winter session will focus on self-care and will introduce the children to being social media aware. *Available in Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack beginning the week of January13- till the week of March 14th, 2013

• Teen Community Awareness...Our Teen Groups are designed for ages 13-19.  As well as presenting typical life skills and social thinking tools,   the teens experience a variety of community outings, allowing them an opportunity to communicate and explore the community, guided by a facilitator always supporting from the sidelines.

  *Available in Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack beginning the week of  January 13- till the week of March 14th, 2013.

• Contact information:

• Toll Free: 1-877-897-0633 Local: 604-746-4332
  Email: here
  Mailing Address: Ste 401, 151-32500 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2T 4W1  

    
• Click here for the Coach Family Service November Newsletter!

• Parents/Caregivers of Special Needs Children in Surrey!
  If your child has "special needs" (any special need, diagnosed or not), you are invited to come to Surrey Kids Voice. Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 20, 2013 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm The meeting will be held at: Surrey College Room 110, 9260 140 Street, Surrey, This month we are pleased to welcome Michelle Schmidt, District Principal for Special Needs, Catherine Remedios, Director of Instruction, Education Services, and Juanita Jackson, who is the new District Principal focusing on the EA Planning Tool. They will be meeting with us to discuss the questions we provided them, based on questions solicited from group members. We appreciate their coming to this meeting (as well as meeting earlier with a group rep to receive the questions). Please note the dates for the rest of our meetings for the school year: Jan 15, Feb 19, April 16, May 21 and June 18.Currently, childcare is not available. See you there! No need to pre-register. For more info, please contact Cheryl at 604-690-5649 or email here.  

• Click here for Barry McDonald's Current Boysmarts Issue 
• "Look at me when I am talking to you" - the issue on EYE CONTACT!  
   

• New, simplified application process for young people with developmental disabilities who are applying for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) assistance.  Click here to see the video

• We're officially open! CWR Lodge now welcomes guests for respite and retreats On Saturday October 19th, Abilitas celebrated the Grand Opening of the Cold Water Ranch Lodge. It was a wonderful celebration of a huge milestone! Our neighbours of the Cold Water Indian Band welcomed us to their traditional territory. And after several moving speeches, we celebrated 5 years of hard work and generous support from our community with the official cutting of the ribbon.Abilitas Foundation presents: rest * recharge * reconnect | The Cold Water Ranch Lodge is a fully accessible lodge, created by Abilitas Foundation. Kids and adults living with disabilities can use this lodge at no charge, together with their families. A place to rest, recharge, and reconnect, for those who need it most.

  your help is needed | Phase I is now complete and families are already enjoying the benefits of the lodge. This is wonderful progress! But, the lodge cannot be completed without the support of great people like you. Please help us make a difference.

  book your stay | The lodge can be booked for respite and for retreats. A respite booking can be made by eligible families and disability groups only and is free of charge. Corporate and other groups can book a retreat, which supports the ongoing maintenance and operations of the lodge. Click here for the most up-to-date information  

    
• Family Support Institute's Possibilities Newsletter - Click here!      

•  REACH PARENT SUPPORT GROUP This group is for you if you are a parent or guardian of a child with additional needs who would like to talk with other parents about your struggles, concerns, successes and strategies. We meet to talk about certain topics and local resources, but mostly we are meeting to support each other in our journey with our children.
  Led by clinical counsellor, Yvonne McKenna, this monthly drop-in group might just be what you need.
  Where: Reach Play and Learn Centre, 11425 84th Ave, Delta
  When: The 2nd Tuesday of the month - 6:30 to 8:00 pm
  Fall Schedule
  November 12 - Setting Positive Limits
  December 10 - Celebrating Achievements
  Call (604) 946-6622 Ext 347 for more information. If you come or call, Yvonne will email you monthly to remind you of the upcoming event and other resources.

• 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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