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. 

 _________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________

Reach News

• Reach for the Stars Black and White Gala! Saturday April 25th Join us at the 3rd annual benefit for the Reach Child and Youth Development Society "Building for Children Together" capital campaign.Help build a new centre in Ladner for children and youth with special needs. MC Steve Darling Global Television PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE here, by Phone 604-946-6622 EXT. 0, or in person at Reach Child and Youth Development Society #3 3800 72nd Street Delta, B.C. V4K 3N2

• Parenting the Anxious Child: Do you feel like your child is showing some signs of fear or worry that affect his or her daily life?If you answer yes to this question, your child may be suffering from anxiety and there are things you can do to help. This
  3 session workshop for parents and caregivers of children ages 3 to 12 will address the biological, psychological and social aspects of anxiety with proven strategies to help your anxious child.For parents or caregivers of children ages 3 to 12
• DATES & TIME:Tuesdays,April 7, 14 and 216:30pm - 8:30pm
  LOCATION:Reach Child & Youth#3-3800 72nd StreetDelta, BC
  REGISTRATION:Cost is $25pp/$40couple(payable at first session)
  Please call Yvonne at 604.946.6622, ext.347 or email here 

• Fun and friendly volunteers are needed for Reach Child and Youth Development Society's children's thrift store FINDS.  Reach is a non-profit organization that helps children with special needs.  The store is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm.  Interested volunteers please email here or call Robyn at 604-946-6622 ext 328 
   
   
• Reach Child and Youth Development Society is looking for a short-term volunteer to help our Occupational Therapists run two eating groups for children this spring.
  Volunteer duties:
  Photocopying educational materials and setting up binders/duotangs for parents
  Buying groceries
  Prepping food
  Helping set up and clean up
  Time requirements:
  A few hours to photocopy and set up educational materials in South Delta, one day in March
  Every Tuesday from March 24 to April 28, 12.30pm to 2.30pm in North Delta.
  Every Thursday from April 16 to May 21, 12.30pm to 2.30pm in South Delta.
  If you or anyone you know is interested to help with this, please contact email here or call Robyn at 604-946-6622 ext 328
    
• Delta Connex Parent Peer Group. The parent group is an opportunity for parents with children who have ADHD, FASD or other complex behaviours to come together.  At the group you can learn and reflect on your life as a parent of children that may behave in ways that are unexpected and a challenge to understand.  You will gain insight in building  positive relationships, celebrating your children and focus on your emotional well being.  We provide a welcoming and safe environment to share experiences, knowledge and offer support to each other.  This group is led by a trained facilitator.
• We meet the last Friday of every month from 9:30 - 11:30am at Reach Child and Youth Development Society, #3-3800 72nd Street, Ladner BC 
• For more information please contact Robyn Lane, Key Worker/Behaviour Consultant 604-946-6622 extension 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! 

back to menu

 _________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________

  back to menu 

 _________________________________________________

ADD/ADHD 

• Mindfulness for ADHD Stress.  Simple mindfulness techniques to help you keep calm when dealing with your kid's outbursts, behavior problems, and meltdowns.Stress is inevitable - no one is immune - and healthy in small quantities, but too much stress can unravel your whole world, particularly when ADHD is involved. When parents are stressed, children are more likely to mimic the frazzled, fatigued behavior they observe, sending the whole household into chaos. This is where mindfulness comes in. It's used to reduce stress, and can help parents and kids become more aware and more capable of handling tough situations. Click here to read more 

• The Procrastinator's Guide to Getting Things Done Do you put off starting important projects until it becomes painful? Whether you're terrified of letting someone down or you just can't get your thoughts in order, here are straightforward strategies to help ADHD adults start - and finish - even the toughest projects.Difficulties Getting Started You have a big project coming up. But it seems overwhelming, and like many ADHDers, you've been putting off getting started for days, or even months. Knowing that others see failure to complete projects on time as a sign of disrespect, incompetence, or even laziness fuels your anxiety, fear of failure, imperfection, and indecisiveness, making it even harder to break through the paralysis. There's hope! Cognitive behavior techniques can help even the chronic procrastinator. Click here to read more 

• Don't Panic! How to Control Stress Before It Controls You. You know the feeling. You finally resolve to clean out that closet, and suddenly you're so overwhelmed you just.can't.start. These strategies can help fend off that paralyzing stress and help you get more done.Why We Overreact Most adults with ADHD have trouble planning. When 'fate' seemingly throws a wrench in our lives, we tend to overreact because we didn't see it coming. We just want a life that we can control - not one that controls us. But when we try to tackle the 98 items on our to-do lists, we become too stressed and overwhelmed to even get started. This plan, however, can stop the panic and the negative self-talk that comes with it BEFORE it begin. Click here to read more 

• Routine Matters: 11 Rules for ADHD-Friendly Schedules A reliable daily routine -- at school and at home -- is essential to your child's success. 11 tips for establishing a schedule that works for your family. Why Structure Is Key. Many children with ADHD also exhibit executive function deficits. That means they have a hard time organizing materials to complete homework or a project, figuring out how much time a task will take, setting deadlines and time management. Creating a daily routine, at school and at home, provides external organization, gives your children the chance to focus on one task at a time, stay focused, and succeed. Click here to read more
  
   
   

 back to menu 

 _________________________________________________

   Down Syndrome  

• ABC Nightly News: Breakthrough for Down Syndrome and Autism. 

• ABC Nightly News: Breakthrough for Down Syndrome and Autism

  
   
• DSRF Announces Groundbreaking Survey of BC Families.  The Down Syndrome Research Foundation, along with key partners in the medical community, is undertaking a critical survey that could play a role in shaping the future of health care for individuals with Down syndrome in BC. The survey, focusing on the current health status and needs of individuals with Down syndrome in BC, is open to parents and caregivers of a child, youth or adult with Down syndrome residing in the province of BC. DSRF's aim is to have every family in the BC Down syndrome community complete this survey by the end of March. Please click here for more information and the survey! 

• What Adam Levine Did For a Boy With Down Syndrome Will Make You a Fan.  Christopher's teachers put together an adorable YouTube video  illustrating his devotion to the band and sent it to a local Fox affiliate and radio station. When Hot 99.5's The Kane Show got a look at the video, they arranged for Christopher to not only get tickets to Maroon 5's March 2 concert at the Verizon Center in Washington DC, but to meet the band as well. Click here for more information and to see the video 

• Good to Great: Enhancing Quality of Life for People with Down Syndrome The Down Syndrome Research Foundation's 20th Anniversary Conference and Celebration.  October 23 - 24, 2015. Click here for more information 

• You are Invited to a Delta Down Syndrome Support Group meeting: OUR GOALS ARE
  ˇ To provide guest speakers (Reach therapists, community
  professionals and other programs) to discuss common issues
  ˇ To provide support and information to families in Delta who
  have a child with Down Syndrome
  ˇ To help connect parents of children with Down Syndrome
  ˇ To provide monthly meetings for parents and their children
  ˇ 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 

back to menu 

 _________________________________________________

back to menu 

 _________________________________________________

FASD

• Computer Games to Improve Behavioral Regulation in FASD-affected Children.  The research team has developed a treatment for children with FASD-related adaptive functioning impairments that was demonstrated in a pilot study in the United States to be effective for children with FASD in the age range of 5 - 10 years. The intervention reduces the amount of behavioral disregulation within a ten-week intervention period, and the effects have been shown to persist for at least a six-month follow-up period. This novel intervention, known as "GoFAR", is based on the use of a computer game in which the child learns through playing the game to utilize a meta-cognitive strategy that supports self-regulation. Through gameplay, the child learns strategies that can then be applied in everyday life. 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.

back to menu 

 _________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________

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    

• Transition to Adulthood - the facts you need to know! | Mar 7, 2015.  This FREE 2-hour workshop provides participants with a step-by-step introduction to some of the important things families need to be aware of if they have a teenager with a developmental disability who will be leaving high school in the next few years. We will review the systems, processes and paperwork you will need to consider and identify where to access information on-line and help in your community. Presented Si Stainton, Family Services Manager, Delta Community Living Society  Click here for more information 
   
• On-line presentation from the Neufeld Institute: 
  Click here to register 
• Bedtime Challenges with Tamara Strijack
  Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
  10 am to 12 pm Pacific
  Making Space for Tantrums and Tears with Eva de Gosztonyi
  Thursday, April 23rd, 2015
  5 to 7 pm Pacific
  Bridging the Separation Complex with Genevičve Brabant
  Tuesday, May 26th, 2015
  4 to 6 pm Pacific

• 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 
  • Mar 26 2015 - 12:00pm Self Harm & Healthy Coping Tools 

    Apr 16 2015 - 12:00pm Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

• Stand Together 2015 March 26-27.  MULTI-FACETED TRAINING FOR THE CAREGIVER PROFESSIONALExecutive Plaza Hotel Conference Centre 405 North Road, Coquitlam. Beyond Consequences: Trauma Informed Care Thurs. March 26, 9:30-4:00pm
  If you've tried using logic, consequences, behavior modification, yelling and isolation with your children, all to find out that none of it worked,or even made things worse, you know what it is like to find yourself beyond your window of tolerance. This parenting training can change all of that. Move you from a place of hopelessness to a place full of hope and love.
  HEATHER FORBES, LCSW Heather is the owner of the Beyond Consequences Institute. She is an internationally published author on the topics of raising children
  with difficult and severe behaviors, understanding the parent's reactivity when challenged in the home, and working with challenging children in the classroom. Much of her experience and insight on understanding trauma, disruptive behaviors, developmental delays, and
  adoption-related issues comes from her direct mothering experience of her two internationally adopted children.
  Navigating Transitions with Teens Fri. March 27, 9:30-12:00pm
  The teen years can be a challenge for parents - but even moreso without the foundations of an established, long-term relationship.Traditional parenting techniques can often backfire and disrupt the parent/child relationship with our teens, while their behaviours invite us
  to employ strict consequences. Where's the happy medium? Review what works with our teens, and explore research-based insights into high-risk teen behaviour. Learn how to best support and parent our teens during these challenging years.
  CHRIS BURT, MAChris holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. He is a parenting and family development specialist with over 20 years experiences supporting children, youth, and families. Chris is a trained family counsellor who provides therapeutic and educational services to families,and training and clinical support services to other professionals, organizations, and government agencies.Click here for more information
   
• ADHD, Attachment and Addiction! Please join us April 1st for this evening seminar on ADHD for Parents and Educators. This presentation will review the relationship between ADHD and other issues, especially attachment disorder and addiction.  Preventative strategies and treatment approaches will be discussed and time will be allotted for questions. Apr 1 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmClick here for more information
   
• Parenting the Anxious Child: Do you feel like your child is showing some signs of fear or worry that affect his or her daily life?If you answer yes to this question, your child may be suffering from anxiety and there are things you can do to help. This
  3 session workshop for parents and caregivers of children ages 3 to 12 will address the biological, psychological and social aspects of anxiety with proven strategies to help your anxious child.For parents or caregivers of children ages 3 to 12. Facilitator: Yvonne McKenna, Canadian Certified Counsellor
  
  • DATES & TIME:Tuesdays,April 7, 14 and 216:30pm - 8:30pm
    LOCATION:Reach Child & Youth#3-3800 72nd StreetDelta, BC
    REGISTRATION:Cost is $25pp/$40couple(payable at first session)
    Please call Yvonne at 604.946.6622, ext.347 or email here
     
   
• 7th Annual Vancouver Neufeld Conference 2015!  Saturday May 2, 2015 8:30 - 4:30
• Registration opens March 3, 2015

• 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 

• ACT 's 11th Annual Focus on Research ESSENCE
  What research is telling us about the need for inter-disciplinary collaboration to meet the needs of children with a range of neurodevelopmental conditions. 

  Professor Christopher Gillberg,

  an internationally recognized researcher, has identified a major frustration of clinicians and families. Despite our attempts to draw firm diagnostic boundaries, many disorders (including autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, tic disorder, developmental coordination disorder) share symptoms - indeed this is the rule rather than the exception in child psychiatry and developmental medicine. 

  The acronym ESSENCE, coined by Dr. Gillberg, Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations, refers to the reality of how children (and their parents) present in clinical settings. He draws on international research to make a compelling case that child symptoms, in at least one ESSENCE domain before age five, often signals major problems in the same or overlapping domains years later. Over focus on ASD in young children could be a big mistake, especially as it may not be the major risk factor for issues including academic failure and adult/ adolescent/adult social exclusion. 

  Friday, March 27th, 2015

  SFU Harbour Centre Vancouver, BC Click here for more information
   
• Trust-Based Parenting: April 28-29, 2015. The Roundtable is excited to be hosting Daren Jones and Henry Milton from Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross' Trust-Based Relational Intervention training on April 28th and 29th, 2015 at Douglas College in New Westminster!

  Children who have been harmed, neglected or abused are at dramatically increased risk for behavioural problems. All too often caregivers and support providers are mystified by these behaviours and struggle to find effective interventions. This seminar will empower participants to create healing environments for these precious children and youth who have come from the "hard places," including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), adoption, and fostering. In this workshop on Trust-Based Parenting, participants will learn specific skills and strategies for disarming the fear and sadness that is beneath most disruptive behaviours in children. Based in a deep understanding of attachment, sensory integration, brain development and brain chemistry, Trust-Based Parenting provides caregivers and service providers with powerful insights for understanding misbehaviour and for appropriately guiding healthy, new behaviours. These principles are effective in bringing about healing for children in varied environments, such as homes, schools, day care settings, and residential treatment facilities. Participants will find powerful insights for creating a healing environment for children of any age and any level of risk.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! Click here for all the new updates!! 

  Where: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, 1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
  When: May 27 - 30, 2015

• SMILE - Structured Methods in Language Education. A Multisensory Language Learning Program.  SMILE is a multi-sensory approach to teaching speech, reading, and writing skills to learners with a range of special needs as part of a total educational management system. It addresses the needs of students who have difficulty with phonemic awareness and have failed to learn to speak or read through "natural or more conventional/traditional approaches." This two-day workshop includes simulation exercises and video examples of real-time teacher implementation sessions with students.

  Wednesday & Thursday, July 29 & 30, 2015 Enid Wolf-Schein, Ed.D., CCC-SLP Rhonda Bachmann, M.S. Ed. Click here for more information 

• SARAH WARD M.S., CCC/SLP. check her website here A practical strategies seminar for Porfessionals and Teachers on Executive Function Skills.  How to teach preschool and school aged children to efficiently manage their tasks, time, space and materials (and keep their emotions in check). Hosted by Share Family and Community Services.  September 25 and 26, 2015.  Email here for more information

• 2015 ANCAŽ World Autism Festival™ .  OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to unforeseen circumstances the AWAF 6th annual event has been moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada October 1-6 during the first week of Canada's National Autism Awareness Month in partnership with 2013 INSP Awards recipient Erdal Ates of Otisium, Turkey and special guest Irem Bekter, international performance artist and director/producer of "Productions Diabluras". The 7th annual event to be held in Istanbul, Turkey October 1-6, 2016.  Click here for more information 

   

• Good to Great: Enhancing Quality of Life for People with Down Syndrome. Join families, educators, clinicians, service providers, and researchers in beautiful Vancouver British Columbia Oct. 23-24 as we come together to learn, share and inspire. We have an outstanding lineup of speakers, including international experts and experienced practitioners in the field of Down syndrome. Behavior problems impact 30% of children with Down syndrome. Left untreated, these same children often exhibit behavior problems as adults, limiting work and independent living opportunities. Many typical behavioral management tools are less effective for children with DS. In order to address behavior problems in DS effectively, one must understand the brain-based reasons for these challenges and direct treatment appropriately. This workshop will present the basic neuroscience of Down syndrome and how this informs effective behavior management, with practical strategies provided for use in the home and school settings. Click here for more information
   

   

  
   

  
   

back to menu 

 _________________________________________________

Seasonal 

• Football Clinic for K-7! Exercise is Therapy is pleased to offer kids in K-7 the unique opportunity to meet a couple of the top players in the CFL and learn some valuable skills at the same time.  Emmanuel Arceneaux and Solomon Elimimian with the BC Lions will be our VIP trainers!  April 17th from 9:30am to Noon. Exercise is Therapy is a non-profit organization that designs exercise session for all individuals with a focus on children with unique and special abilities.  If you are interested in attending, please email or phone Melanie with Exercise Is Therapy for registration and payment info. 604-351-6305 or email here  We look forward to seeing you there!  Please register early as this WILL fill up fast.
   
• 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. Who is This Class for? 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: April 8, 2015 (6 classes)
  Time: 6:30-8:30 PM Cost: $120 for 6-class session
  To register: Call the Surrey Arts Centre at 604.501.5566 Registration Code: 4391085
  If your youth requires 1 to 1 support, then a caregiver must attend
  
   
• CAN Family Festival 2015. The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) Family Festival is back! Join CAN on Sunday, April 12th at Jack Poole Plaza (Vancouver Convention Centre) to celebrate April Autism Awareness Month with a walk, live entertainment, food, and family fun! This event is open to the public with FREE admission. Enjoy live entertainment, food and family fun! Click here for more information 

   

• Challenger Baseball; An opportunity for children with cognitive or physical disabilities to enjoy the thrill of playing baseball, being part of a team, developing physical and social skill plus all the benefits of participation in baseball at a level structured to their abilities. Games are played in a fun, safe environment where no score is kept. Our philosophy is very simple: 'Play, just for fun!!' The 2015 Challenger season is tentatively scheduled to run April - June. Cost is $20. Click here for more information 

   
• 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
   
   

              back to menu 

 _________________________________________________

 _________________________________________________