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

• McHappy Day is May 6 - SAVE THE DATE! During the past 8 years, proceeds from McHappy Day at Ladner and Tsawwassen McDonald's have been generously donated to Reach Child and Youth Development Society. A big thank you to McDonald's South Delta for making us the recipients of proceeds from Happy Meals, Big Macs and coffee drinks again this year! You can can also support Reach by purchasing a red boot for $1 NOW until end of day May 6th.

• 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 

• Positive Parenting Series - A two part Basics Class plus an all day Advanced Class

  For parents/ caregivers of all children between the ages of 3 and 18.You will learn:

  Positive strategies for dealing with difficult behaviours, how to defuse power struggles, offer appropriate choices, beconsistent, provide consequences, model appropriate behaviour and much more!

  And for those that have already taken Positive Parenting the Basics - Please choose The Basics and Beyond! In this class you will learn further strategies for strengthening your relationship and go deeper into learning the meaning of your child's behavior and how to develop teaching strategies that are specific to your child's profile and situation.

  Basics Friday May 8th and 22nd from 10am to 2pm.  Facilitated by Sarah Garnham, Supported Child Development Consultant and Cori Childers, Infant Development Program. DATE CHANGE: Advanced Saturday June 20th from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Facilitated by Camille Netherton, Key Worker, Behaviour Consultant and Pam Collins, Behaviour Consultant.  Childminding will be available with pre-registration.  To register please contact Pam Collins by email here or call 604-946-6622 ext.359 

• 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! 

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Autism  

• I Have Nonverbal Autism. Here's What I Want You to Know.  This is the story of a boy who could not talk, but learned to make his thoughts known by spelling on a letterboard and typing. This is his path from silence to communication. I want people to know autism is another way of being. I am weary of stereotypes that make us out to be less human than neurotypicals. I have listened to people talk negatively about autism since I was diagnosed. I learned to hate myself and think I was a monster for causing so much hardship. Click here to read more. 

• Click here for the AUTISM FILE April May Issue! 
• Great article on Treatment Options page 22 as well as keeping our children safe from wandering page 26

• Mom-daughter duo creates dating site for people with autism.  It seems as though society has always attempted to group those on the autism spectrum into one category, not taking into account each individual's personalities, likes, dislikes and qualities. Olivia Cantu and her mother are out to change this.Cantu and her mother, Kristen Fitzpatrick, both fall on the Autism spectrum and recognize how difficult it is to date and create friendly relationships with others when you are stigmatized for being autistic. To solve this problem, Cantu and her mother have created Spectrum Singles, a dating site for people on the autism spectrum. Click here to learn more 
• Spectrum Singles - A dating site for those on the spectrum. Click here for another article 
   
• AofA Presents A Paper by 16 Year Old Autism Sibling: The Perplexing Epidemic. The world is a scary place without all the difficulties that adults on the spectrum have to face each day. This is why the information about autism needs to go out and be understood by the community. If the community is more knowledgeable and understanding the future for adults on the spectrum could be brighter. Once this is established we can ask the hard questions. How do we treat autism? Will treatments have to be individualized? How do we prevent it? Why is autism taking up a large part of our population? The main question each member of our society should ask is how can I help? 

  Click here to read more 

• Cineplex Entertainment expands screening program for people with autism
  Screenings include increased lighting, lower volumes and smaller crowds.
  The Canadian movie theatre company says its sensory friendly screenings will now include 17 additional theatres, for a total of 29.Click here for more information
   
   
• Masters Winner Shares Spotlight With Sister On The Spectrum.

  Basking in the glow after becoming the second-youngest player ever to win one of golf's top prizes, Jordan Spieth was all too happy to talk about his sister with special needs

  . Over the weekend, Spieth soared over golf's better-known names to win the Masters with a score of 18 under par. The feat quickly put the 21-year-old in the same sentence with the sport's longtime star, Tiger Woods, who also won the tournament at that age.

  After sealing his victory at the famed Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Spieth looked forward to telling his sister Ellie, 14, who is on the autism spectrum, about his win. Click here to read more 

  
   

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ADD/ADHD 

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew About ADHD as a Child I grew up feeling something was wrong with me - that I was lesser, or maybe broken. Now I know that what others misidentified as 'wrong' or 'different' was actually extraordinary - and that ADHD can be an incredible asset if appreciated. I heard my third grade teacher's voice, but the flowers outside the window were calling my name louder, so I paid attention to them. She clapped her hands in front of my face and snapped, "Why aren't you paying attention? Stop daydreaming." I was paying attention, just not to the correct things, apparently. Embarrassed and ashamed, I wanted to run away and cry.   "ADD can cause feelings of shame, fear, and self-doubt," says Edward Hallowell, M.D. As parents, we need to know this. We need to recognize when our kids are hurting under the strain of ridicule, challenges, and frustration. We need to remind ourselves to see the beauty, joy, and wisdom in our children. Here's what I wish I would knew when I was a child with ADHD. Click here to read more
   
• Fidget to Focus. Doing two things at once can enhance focus and improve performance for ADHD kids and adults. Learn how. Experts believe that engaging in an activity that uses a sense other than what's required for your primary task - listening to music while reading a social studies textbook, for example - can enhance focus and improve performance in children with attention deficit disorder. These secondary tasks are called fidgets - mindless activities you can do while working on a primary task. Click here to read more
  
   
• Treating ADHD with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Learn how to improve time management and executive function with these cognitive behavioral strategies from our ADHD experts.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - or CBT - is an umbrella term for a group of interventions used to treat disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more recently, ADHD. The way CBT is used to treat each condition varies. But what each CBT treatment has in common is a focus on cognitions - or thoughts - and behaviors, in the here and now. CBT requires that the patient get in touch with their thoughts and feelings, and learn how to modify them when they're dysfunctional. Click here to read more
   
   

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   Down Syndrome  

• There are only two weeks remaining to complete the Down Syndrome Survey and we have now expanded the survey beyond British Columbia to ask for participation from families and caregivers in Alberta and Ontario.  Together with some dedicated medical professionals, who have donated their time to support this effort, we have developed a survey to assess the current health care needs of people with Down syndrome. We hope to have greater participation; currently there have only been 234 families in British Columbia who have completed the survey, including many who have partially completed the survey.
  Many people with Down syndrome are slipping through the cracks due to the lack of a coordinated model of health care. Poor health care and limited access to important health screening means poor developmental outcomes and health across the lifespan. We need to raise the bar for health care practices and our hope is that the Down syndrome community will participate by providing the information needed to support our advocacy efforts. Without an expression of interest by the affected community it will be difficult to demonstrate that improvements are needed. Click here for more information
• Click here for a direct link to the survey
   
• BMO Vancouver Marathon RUN4HOPE Run for Down syndrome at the 2015 BMO Vancouver Marathon.  On May 3, 2015, over 15,000 people will push themselves to the limit as they compete in the BMO Vancouver Marathon. As they do, many of them will be making a huge impact in the lives of young people with Down syndrome. Click here for more information 

• Run Up for Down Syndrome - June 7, 2015, Sponsored by Euro-Rite Cabinets Ready... Set... RUN UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME! Run Up for Down Syndrome is back - bigger and better than ever! Close to 1,000 runners and walkers will gather at Simon Fraser University on the first Sunday in June to show their support for those on the lifetime journey of Down syndrome. Along with the 5 or 1.5 km walk or run, participants will enjoy a variety of fun family activities, including face painting, a bouncy castle, a variety of kids games, mascots, scrumptious food and much more.  Click here for more information 

• GALA: A Night to Remember 5. Live like there's no midnight.  Friday June 12, 2015 - Century Plaza Hotel! Click here for more information and to register! 

• 15th Annual Benefits of Bocce Fun, Friends, Food and Fundraising on behalf of the Down Syndrome Research Foundation. Are you ready to get rolling for a great cause? Saturday August 15, 2015. Discover why some have described Benefits of Bocce as their favourite charitable event of the year! Soak up some sun, crank up the tunes, crack open a beverage and unleash your competitive side as you pursue the hotly contested Benefits of Bocce championship trophy. In between games, enjoy a delicious lunch, a ticketed bar, a selection of great silent auction and raffle prizes, a 50/50 draw, great music and great people. It all makes for the perfect summer day! Click here for more information 

• 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
  · 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 

• Parenting Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strongest Families FASD - Research Helping Families.  If you have a child (age 4-12) who has been diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder you may be able to take part in a study for a parenting program designed to help you deal with your child's challenging behaviours. To find out more please continue. PLEASE NOTE: You must live in Canada to take part in this study. 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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Workshops and Training 

• Click here for information on RDSP presentations 

• Click here for all upcoming workshops by Delta Assist   

• Click here for upcoming events sponsored by the BC Council for Families   
    
• On-line presentation from the Neufeld Institute:
  Click here to register 
• Making Space for Tantrums and Tears with Eva de Gosztonyi
  Thursday, April 23rd, 2015
  5 to 7 pm Pacific
  Bridging the Separation Complex with Geneviève 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 
  • Apr 16 2015 - 12:00pm Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
   
• 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 21  6:30pm - 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
   
• What is a Representation Agreement and Why is it Important | Apr 18, 2015.  Once a child with a developmental disability becomes as adult at age 19, parents no longer have the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf. A Representation Agreement is a legal document for personal planning in British Columbia. It is a way to authorize your personal supporters to help you manage your affairs or make decisions on your behalf if you need assistance due to illness, injury or disability. This 2 hour workshop will introduce families to what the representation agreement is and where to find helpful resources on-line and help in your community. Presented Si Stainton, Family Services Manager, Delta Community Living SocietyThis workshop is for families who have a relative with developmental disabilities who would like to find out more about the representation agreement. This workshop is FREE for families - though you have to register. If you are a professional the fee is $15.00. Payment by cheque or cash at the workshop or pay by credit card by calling 604.946.9508 ext 0.7953 120 Street, Scott Road Connections,If you would like more information on this workshop contact Si Stainton, mail here or  calln604.952.6490. Closing date for registration: Tuesday, April 14, 2015

• 7th Annual Vancouver Neufeld Conference 2015!  Saturday May 2, 2015 8:30 - 4:30

• Executive Airport Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, 7311 Westminster Hwy

  Richmond, British Columbia

• Dr. Neufeld will give the opening and closing address on the topic of How to Stay Close When Apart. Participants will have their choice of attending two presentations given by Neufeld Institute Faculty on a broad range of parenting issues. In addition, individuals will select a panel session moderated by Neufeld Facilitators and Faculty.Click here for more information 

   

• Reach Child and Youth Development Society presents: Positive Parenting Series - A two part Basics Class plus an all day Advanced Class

  For parents/ caregivers of all children between the ages of 3 and 18.You will learn:

  Positive strategies for dealing with difficult behaviours, how to defuse power struggles, offer appropriate choices, be consistent, provide consequences, model appropriate behaviour and much more!

  And for those that have already taken Positive Parenting the Basics - Please choose The Basics and Beyond! In this class you will learn further strategies for strengthening your relationship and go deeper into learning the meaning of your child's behavior and how to develop teaching strategies that are specific to your child's profile and situation. 

  Basics Friday May 8th and 22nd from 10am to 2pm. Facilitated by Sarah Garnham, Supported Child Development Consultant and Cori Childers, Infant Development Program.  
  Advanced Saturday May 30th from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Facilitated by Camille Netherton, Key Worker, Behaviour Consultant and Pam Collins, Behaviour Consultant.  Childminding will be available with pre-registration.  To register please contact Pam Collins by email here

  or call 604-946-6622 ext.359
   
• 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 
   
• 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 

• Anxiety - Practical Intervention Strategies. 
  Apr 30, 2015 (9 AM - 4 PM)  Price: $ 210.00 (regular rate)  Vancouver, British Columbia - Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre  Trainer: Sally Halliday, MA Anxiety represents our body's natural alarm system, signalling to us the possibility of danger. When this response arises too frequently or intensely and doesn't match actual situations of danger, it can interfere with life and cause great distress. While every person experiences anxiety, it is estimated that over a quarter of the population will experience anxiety at levels that cause distress in their lives. There is also an increasing concern for rising anxiety among children, youth and seniors. Participants will explore when anxiety is adaptive and in order compared to when it becomes disordered. The main focus of the workshop will be to learn practical and accessible strategies which can be applied across the lifespan and address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social aspects of anxiety. Click here for more information 
  
  
• Depression - Practical Intervention Strategies Vancouver: May 1, 2015 (early rate deadline April 10) This workshop introduces participants to a variety of effective strategies that can be used to help an individual who is struggling with depression make positive changes. Participants will learn practical strategies to help engage the depressed person on two levels: changing the negative relationship within oneself and changing interpersonal dynamics that perpetuate depression.Click here for more information
  
   
• Autism - Strategies for Self-Regulation, Learning and Challenging Behaviours
  Vancouver: May 12-13, 2015 (early rate deadline April 21). The primary focus of this workshop is to provide practical strategies related to working with high need individuals around self-regulation, learning practices and challenging behaviours. Participants will review a behavioral framework to provide effective strategies for each of these areas, which they will be able to adapt to their own specific environment and context. Click here for more information

• Inclusion BC 2015 Conference  Registration now open.  KEEP MOVING DON'T STOP: 3 days of inspiration and education on developmental disability and inclusion for all.  15 Keynotes and over 50 workshops! Dan Habib, Tamara Taggart, Shane Koyczan, Sean Forbes and many more! Early bird deadline is March 31, 2015.  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

• Identifying and Treating Co-occurring Mental Health Challenges in Children with ASD.Friday, May 29th, 2015.  Children with ASD have very high rates of co-occurring mental health challenges, prior to reaching adulthood. Frequently it is these conditions and not autism itself that is the most disabling factor in the life of a child with ASD. Treatment typically leads to a substantial improvement in the functioning - independent of the degree of disability.  Increasingly, it is recognized that anticipating, identifying and treating psychiatric disorders proactively is vital to ensure optimal outcomes across the lifespan. Click here for more information 

• 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 

• PEERS® Certified School-Based Training.Thursday - Saturday, August 13 - 15, 2015
  Vancouver, B.C. SFU Harbour Centre.  This three day PEERS® School-Based Training summer course is in response to a number of requests from B.C. educators. This training is designed to instruct educators and school-based professionals on the administration and implementation of the PEERS® Curriculum for School-Based Professionals.This certified training provides a model for evidence-based social skills instruction in the classroom or educational setting for middle school and high school students on a daily or weekly basis.
  It targets the delivery of the PEERS® intervention in a school-based setting, only involving adolescent participants.Elizabeth Laugeson, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.Click here for more information 

• DAVIS LEARNING STRATEGIES WORKSHOP. The missing piece... a breakthrough in Primary Education. This two day, hands-on, workshop for primary teachers provides unique, fun, transformative and innovative strategies for classroom management and improving reading instruction. Thursday August 20 and Friday 21, 2015 at the Parish Centre, St Michael's Church, 9387 Holmes Street, Burnaby, Vancouver, BC. Click here for more information Contact: Sue Hall for registration forms. Phone: 604 982 0092 Email here 

• Executive Function Skills with SARAH WARD M.S., CCC/SLP. 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). After completing this seminar you will have practical strategies to...
  *    Help children develop situational awareness
  *    Teach children to be future thinkers
  *    Accelerate children's planning skills
  *    Teach children time-management skills
  *    Help children develop the skills of self-monitoring and metacognition
  *    Help children develop better transition skills
  *    Support a child's ability to improve his/her speed of processing informationHosted by Share Family and Community Services.  September 25 and 26, 2015.  Click here for more information

• 2015 ANCA® 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
   

   

  
   

  
   

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Seasonal 

• Click here for ADDITUDE Magazine's Summer Camp Guide

• 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.
   

• 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
   
   

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