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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Reach News 

Help a Parent/Parent Support?  

 Autism

 ADD/ADHD

 Down Syndrome  

Education  

FASD

Medical and Mental Health 

Sensory   

Transitions

Ministry Information

Workshops and Training

Seasonal

Other

Submissions and Questions?  

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Reach News

• REACH 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 Robyn at 604-946-6622 ext.328 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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ADD/ADHD

• 10 Things You Should Never Tell Your Child. "What were you thinking?" "You're not even trying!" Parents aren't perfect - we all wish we could take back some of the harsh things we've said. But here are 10 phrases that parents of ADHD kids should absolutely, positively never say out loud. People say some pretty insensitive things. ADHD myths and misinformation don't help. People blame us or our kids for behaviors controlled by the condition, and we know it's wrong. But sometimes frustrating behaviors can push even the most loving parents to say things we quickly regret. Here, our readers shared some of the words that should never be used to discipline an ADHD child - no matter what. Click here to read more
   
• The Truth About Learning Disabilities: Myths, Signs, Solutions. Could your child have a learning disability? Get expert advice on identifying and managing learning disabilities to prepare your LD child for a lifetime of success.What Are Learning Disabilities? The term learning disabilities (LD) is used to describe a group of disorders that affect how someone learns. When you have a learning disability, you have difficulty in reading, writing, mathematics, listening, and/or speaking. There is usually a large difference between what is expected based on your intelligence and your actual performance.  Click here to read more

• 12 Everyday Anxiety Solutions For some of us, anxiety is a constant companion to ADHD. We feel it at the grocery store, in meetings, and sometimes all night long. But that doesn't mean we need to let it dominate us. Reclaim control of your mental and emotional health with these simple, everyday practices for relieving anxiety. You know the drill: Your heart begins beating faster, blood pounds in your ears, and your pulse nearly bursts through your veins it's pounding so hard. Your body is in a state of overall physical discomfort because your nerves are sending an alert message to your brain. Generally speaking, this is a good thing. It's an innate survival skill that you need: the fight or flight response. The problem is that you're not running from a bear or bungee jumping. You're speaking at a PTA meeting or watching the news, stopped in your tracks by a constant dull humming in the background or a heart-pounding, knee-wobbling panic attack. Click here to read more

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   Down Syndrome  

• Extra Ordinary. A glimpse into the lives of two young individuals with Down Syndrome living happy and fulfilling lives. With the goal of increased acceptance for the Down syndrome community, this film was created to challenge the associated stigmas. People with Down syndrome can, and do, lead meaningful, happy lives.Click here to see this film

• 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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FASD

• Moment to Moment: Teens Growing Up With FASDs explores the lives of four adolescents with FASDs and the effect that prenatal alcohol exposure has had and continues to have on their journeys to finding independence, fulfillment, and understanding the world around them. The film takes an intimate and eye-opening journey into the lives of those affected by FASDs, their families and friends, and captures the challenges that families must overcome as children with FASDs reach maturity and attempt to strike out on their own as young adults.  Click here to learn more

• Langley - FASD adoptive and foster parents. Monthly support group meetings for those with children who have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Info: Jamie, 604-530-5917.

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Medical and Mental Health

• 9 Things Every Parent with an Anxious Child Should Try. As all the kids line up to go to school, your son, Timmy, turns to you and says, "I don't want to take the bus. My stomach hurts. Please don't make me go." You cringe and think, Here we go again. What should be a simple morning routine explodes into a daunting challenge. Click here to read more

• 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 their current newsletter   

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Transitions  

• The Vancouver Parents Transition Group (VPT)bis an education and support group for parents of youth with disabilities who are transitioning to adulthood. The group meets once per month and features guest speakers who provide information and support to families. Click here to learn more!
• Our 2015 flyer is ready with dates and topics of our upcoming meetings. If you would like a copy, please email here For 2015, we have a new Eastside location, as we have outgrown the space at Britannia Community Centre. Developmental Disabilities Assn has kindly offered to let us use the facility at their Kaslo hub for our March and May meetings. Next meeting is on Saturday January 31st, 2015 at the Vancouver Resource Society (VRS), which will remain our Westside location. See you all then!
  Yuko and Liz
   

• Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation Improving Services to People with Developmental Disabilities Click here to learn more and see a video showing how to apply for services!  

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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 disabilities.
• PWD earnings exemptions starting January 2015

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Workshops and Training 

•  CLick here for the FALL CCRR Training Calendar of workshops! 

• Click here for information on RDSP presentations 

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

• Click here for all upcoming workshops by Delta Assist   

• Click here for upcoming events sponsored by the BC Council for Families  

• Kelty Centre's Pinwheel Series: The pinwheel series are a group of free, all inclusive monthly education events open to anyone in BC. The aim is to provide learning opportunities for the public on key mental health and healthy living topics, and host a forum where people can engage in dialogue with experts and persons with lived experience.

  All Pinwheel events take place on Thursdays from  12-1pm (PST). You can join us:

  • In person: Room P3-306, Mental Health Building #85, BC Children's Hospital, 4555 Heather St., Vancouver, BC
  • Telephone: Dial 1-877-291-3022 and enter the access code 4611577#
  • Telehealth: Contact your local Telehealth coordinator to book a videoconference room and get them to forward your location name, room number and the ISDN/IP Address/Alias of your site to here . For questions, please contact Aazadeh Madani, Project Coordinator here 
  • Jan 22 2015 - 12:00 pm  Bipolar Disorder
  • Feb 19 2015 - 12:00pm  Binge Eating Disorder 
  • Mar 26 2015 - 12:00pm Self Harm & Healthy Coping Tools 

    Apr 16 2015 - 12:00pm Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 
   
• CHILDREN the heart of the Matter Conference
  Bell Performing Arts Centre
  6250 144 Street Surrey, BC
  January 16th & 17th & 18th 2015
  Friday Night Keynote by Dr.  Laura Markham! Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting plus so much more! Click here for more information 

• Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning | Jan 24, 2015

  Date : 2015-01-24

  Time : 9:30am-12:00pm

  Location : 105-7953 120 Street,Behind the Greek Village Restaurant, Please park (free) at the rear of the building, North Delta [ Map ]

  This workshop is for parents and family members of adults with developmental disabilities.Click here to read more

  
  
   
• NEW  OCD in the Classroom:Designing a tool box for teachers
  Presented By Dr. Katherine Martinez
  Friday, January 30th, 2015
  Vancouver College Alumni Room
  5400 Cartier St., Vancouver,This workshop is designed to help teachers, counselors and administrators better understand and support children and youth aged 5-18 who struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The first portion of the workshop will provide information about OCD, including diagnostic criteria, myths and misconceptions, how OCD impacts the child, and what OCD can look like within the classroom setting. Participants will also learn about how other anxiety disorders may co-present with OCD and how this impacts the child. The second portion of the workshop will help participants gain knowledge of
  various cognitive-behavioural strategies that can be employed to help support students with OCD in the classroom. Participants will have the opportunity to apply their learning in a practical way through role-play and video demonstration to help bring concepts to life and to allow participants the opportunity to build practical skills and knowledge relevant to their students. There will also be time allotted throughout the workshop for ongoing question and answers and discussion.Click here for more information
  
   
   
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the Role of Occupational Therapy in Autism Treatment.  Saturday, January 31st, 2015.  During this workshop, three experienced occupational therapists will talk about their profession, its scope of practice and the importance of having an occupational therapist on the child's interdisciplinary team, from the time of diagnosis through to adulthood. They will explain how occupational therapy can addressing many of the practical challenges of raising a child with ASD from learning to tie shoe laces, handwriting to pre-employment skills! Click here for more information
   
• Autism Awareness Centre Presents the February 2015 Conference! Friday,
• February 27 Joyce Cooper-Kahn
  Late, Lost and Unprepared:  How to Help Youth Build Better Executive Functioning
  Executive functioning is an umbrella term for the mental processes that serve a supervisory role in thinking and behavior.  Individuals with autism spectrum disorders, attention disorders and learning disabilities all have weak executive skills.   For example, they may be disorganized and have trouble with planning, have weak ability to monitor their own behavior and performance, and struggle with situations where they must shift flexibly from one thought or behavior to another.  We can help these young people by creating plans that include both short-term supports for daily success and long term strategies that facilitate the development of executive skills and build greater independence over time. 
• Saturday, February 28 Elizabeth Sautter
  Make Social Learning Stick: Practical Tools to Build Social Regulation
  Social Regulation (Kuypers and Sautter, 2011) is the ability to adjust one's level of alertness and modify how emotions and behaviors are revealed in order to meet social goals.  Our world is filled with complicated social situations that can be sticky to navigate-both emotionally and socially.  It's important to realize that within these situations, regulating emotions/behaviors and managing social communication go hand in hand. Understanding this connection helps to broaden the lens, look at the whole child, and focus on working as a team to paste together the practical applications that work for each child.
• Click here for more information and to register!
   
• 6th International Conference on FASD Research: Results and Relevance 2015
  Integrating Research, Policy, and Promising Practice Around the World
  March 4-7, 2015 | The Westin Bayshore | Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Click here for more conference information 

• 2015 General & Special Education Conference March 4, 5, & 6, 2015
  Seattle, WA Location: Grand Hyatt Conference & Hotel-

  Proven Interventions to Increase Student Achievement Pre-K through 12th Grade

  A Professional Continuing Education Event. Click here for more information

• The Explosive Child: Noncompliant, Disruptive, Disenfranchised Kids - Moving from Modifying Behaviour to Solving Problems Collaboratively - Presented by Ross Greene, Ph.D. Educators, parents, and mental healthy clinicians are increasingly challenged to understand and help kids with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. These kids are at tremendous risk for adverse long-term outcomes, and their behaviour can significantly impact life at home and in the classroom. While these kids maybe diagnosed with any of a variety of psychiatric disorders - such as ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, Tourette's disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and autism spectrum disorders - compelling research indicates that lagging cognitive skills are the primary contributor to their difficulties. These lagging skills make it difficult for these kids to meet academic and behavioural expectations. Dr. Ross Greene's model - as described in his influential books The Explosive Child and Lost at School, and now called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) - helps adults and kids collaboratively solve the problems precipitating challenging behaviour, while simultaneously teaching lagging skills. The empirically supported CPS model represents a dramatic departure from conventional wisdom and practice, and has been found to be effective in a vast array of setting, including families (where it has been shown to significantly reduce family conflict and improve parent-child interactions), general and special education schools (where it dramatically reduced discipline referrals, detentions, and suspensions), and inpatient, residential, and juvenile detention facilities (where it has produced significant reductions in recidivism and in the use of restraint and locked-door seclusion). Participants in this workshop will leave with an understanding of the underpinnings of the model, along with practical assessment and intervention tools that can be brought back to and used in these diverse settings.

  Thursday, May 21, 2015

  9:00 am - 4:00 pm

  Coast Hotel & Convention Centre Langley City

  20393 Fraser Highway Langley, BC

  Click here for more information 

•   Inclusion BC 2015 Conference  Registration now open.  Early bird deadline is March 31, 2015

  Registration is now open for Inclusion BC's annual conference and AGM. Register now to secure your spot! Workshops and final keynote presenters will be announced at the beginning of February. Registrants can log back in online and choose their sessions at that time. Click here for more information
  Where: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, 1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
  When: May 27 - 30, 2015
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Seasonal 

• #ScreensOffDelta! Unplug and Connect
  January 27 is Literacy Day in Canada and the Delta Community Literacy Committee wants to make this the year that Delta gets on the national map! The goal of Family Literacy Day is to get you reading with your family for 15 short minutes a day and the goal of #ScreensOffDelta! is to get you UNPLUGGED for one whole hour!
  We invite you to engage with us through various social media channels by sharing your experiences of how you will unplug and connect. There will be weekly challenges and activities for your family to do. Each time you post, like or share on our Social Media, from now until January 27, you will be entered to win one of many great prizes, including an iPad! 
  We welcome Delta businesses to make suggestions for alternate activities.  Post your ideas!  For example, Feed the birds at Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Walk a dog at the Delta Community Animal Shelter, Attend a financial workshop with an RBC Investment and Wealth Advisor.  Your business will receive advertising with #ScreensOffDelta!  If you'd like to contribute towards prizes, contact Gillian McLeod.
  Well known counsellor and educator, Dr. Deborah MacNamara, will wrap up this event with Raising Kids in a Digital World.  She is scheduled to speak on January 27, location TBA.  This workshop is free and is sure to be informative, educational and inspiring. Click here for more information
  Please join us on our journey to unplug and connect. 

• YOGA FOR THE SPECIAL CHILD® BASIC ONE PROGRAM
Abbotsford, B.C.March 14 - 20, 2015

Taught by Sherry LeBlanc Hons. BSC. E-RYT 500, RCYT Certified Program Teacher for YSC(R).  Yoga for the Special Child® (YSC) is a therapeutic program of Yoga techniques designed by Sonia Sumar to enhance the natural development of children with special needs. The Basic One Program is a comprehensive training course in the theory & practice of yoga therapy for babies and children with learning and/or developmental disabilities from 0 - 12 years old.  It offers a unique learning environment for children and their parents, special education teachers, yoga teachers, massage therapists and adaptive physical education teachers.  YSC® Programs are also appropriate for the continuing education of health-care specialists in a variety of fields including Physiotherapy, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Paediatric and Rehabilitation Nursing.The Basic Program is a 7 day course that begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14 and ends at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20.  The daily schedule includes classes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a one hour lunch break.Contact: Sherry LeBlanc to register and for more information. email here 416-532-5988, website here


• Camp Zajac Summer Camp dates
• Week 4: Monday, July 20th - Friday, July 24th
  Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, and Muscular Dystrophy
  COST: $687.50
  ACTUAL COST: $275 / Day - 5 Days - $1375 Total -
  50% Subsidized via Zajac Camper Allowance
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Camp #1 Week 5:
  Sunday, July 26th - Thursday, July 30th
  ACTUAL COST: $275 / Day - 5 Days - $1375 Total
  50% Subsidized via Zajac Camper Allowance if paying
  by cheque or credit card - Amount Payable $687.50
  Full rate applies if using Autism Funding Unit
  Funding. Please refer to AFU guidelines here.  
• Week 7:Monday, August 10th - Friday, August 14th
  Autism Spectrum Disorder Camp #2
  ACTUAL COST: $275 / Day - 5 Days - $1375 Total
  50% Subsidized via Zajac Camper Allowance if paying
  by cheque or credit card - Amount Payable $687.50
  Full rate applies if using Autism Funding Unit
  Funding. Please refer to AFU guidelines here.
• If you have any questions or to register
  please contact 604.739.0444 or email here
   
   

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Other                

• Quote of the Day: ""Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Albert Einstein

• Friend2Friend: Free Parent Training Evening Wednesday January 28th at 7:30pm
  Friend 2 Friend Play Centre 2941  Kingsway, Vancouver Click here to read more 
•  
• 2015 Inclusion BC Conference.
  May 27 - 30, 2015 For almost 60 years, Inclusion BC has been at the forefront of change. Since our first conference in 1977, we have been connecting conference attendees to the latest information and resources, advancing the rights and opportunities of people with developmental disabilities in B.C. You're invited to attend Inclusion BC's 60th anniversary conference, which promises to be the biggest and best yet. Stay tuned for more information about our 2015 conference.
  Registration opens January 5!
• We are currently accepting proposals for workshops with the themes/topics including but not limited to:
  • Self Advocacy - wellness, sexuality, employment, self employment, art and initiatives
  • Youth - youth 9-14 and 14 and up, around art, transitions, youth justice and children's rights
  • Employment and Transitions - best practices, customized employment, social enterprise, job seeking
  • Families and Children - inclusive education and child care, family support, transitions, family leadership
  • Values and Ethics - medical ethics, assisted suicide and euthanasia, genetic testing, and human rights
  • Organizational Development - senior staff development, leadership and succession, resource development and board development
  • Inclusion and Advocacy - network-building, friendships and relationships, advocacy, movement building, working with media, social justice movements, housing innovations, and addressing poverty
  • First Nations and Aboriginal communities - common legacies of institutionalization and community concerns and emerging issues and opportunities for collaboration.
  We encourage the submission of workshop proposals that address diverse communities, multicultural communities and First Nations and Aboriginal communities.
  We strongly encourage innovative, leading-edge proposals and topics Click here for more information
   

• SOCIAL SKILLS through DRAMA! Want to learn about acting? The study of drama has many crossover benefits in developing social skills. Taught by theatre professionals, this inclusive class will be both fun and challenging as students develop self-expression through voice, movement, improvisa-tion, acting games, and script work. All abilities welcome. Improved social skills, while not the focus, is expected to be a happy crossover effect. Teenagers who have social difficulties with or without an accompanying diagnosis. Some examples:
  Teenagers with:
   High functioning Autism (e.g. aspergers or PDD-NOS)
   ADHD
   Learning Disabilities
   Social Anxieties like extreme shyness or fear of talking in front of others.
  This is who the class is targeted for, but it is not meant to exclude others. Teens who simply have an interest in taking a drama class will benefit fully from the class, and are welcome and encouraged to register.
   Location:
  Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88th Ave., Surrey
  Session Start Date:January 21, 2015 (7 classes)
  Time:6:30-8:30 PM
  Cost:$175 for 7-class session
  To register:Call the Surrey Arts Centre at 604.501.5566
  Registration Code:4382163
  If your youth requires 1 to 1 support, then a caregiver must attend and caregiver participation in the class will be encouraged.

• KidsMatter: Registration is Open for 2015.  After school programs Going Beyond Social Skills Living Life, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley and SurreyClick here for more information

   

• Click here for the FSI Fall Possibilities Newsletter!   Filled with information!

• The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. If you have an RDSP, you may also be eligible for grants and bonds to help with your long-term savings.

  You should consider opening an RDSP if you have a long-term disability and are:

  • eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (disability amount);
  • under the age of 60 (if you are 59, you must apply before the end of the calendar year in which you turned 59);
  • a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number (SIN); and
  • looking for a long-term savings plan.

  You may contribute any amount to your RDSP each year, up to the lifetime contribution limit of $200,000. With written permission from the RDSP holder, anyone may contribute to the RDSP. Please click here for more information 

• PLAN (Planned lifetime advocacy network)  offers a variety of workshops regarding RDSP's, wills and estates and setting up personal networks. Please click here for dates! 

• Your One Stop Shop for children and families in Delta - Deltakids.ca - click here!  

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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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