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. 

• Temple Grandin Explains How Her Autistic Brain Works Like a Search Engine.  Temple Grandin gave an oral history at Colorado State University in 2008, and only recently has the audio for her lecture surfaced online. PBS' "Blank on Blank" web show is running a special series, "The Experimenters," and they decided to use audio of Grandin's speech set to an animated video.  
• Video: Learinng to love on the autism spectrum Gerard Grove.  Gerard Groves, an 18 years-old from the UK on the autism spectrum, has created a funny warm insightful film about finding love. Getting a Valentine's date can be hard for any of us but how much harder is it when you have Asperger's? Gerard's film takes us through his past love mishaps examining the effect his communication has had on and finding a partner     
• Autism 'Triad of Impairments' Redefined: Lessons From John Simpson by Maureen Bennie. John Simpson is a young man with Asperger Syndrome living in the U.K. who spoke at our Birmingham conferences in May of 2007 and 2008 about the traditional definition of the 'Triad of Impairments' in those on the spectrum. John is an articulate, intelligent, informative and entertaining speaker. He has been a huge influence on me as a parent because of his revealing inside look at autism. He has been a great teacher, making me re-think how I parent my two children. Click here to read more
   
• Click here for the current edition of Autism Magazine 

• 2016 CALL for NOMINATIONS - NOW OPEN. 2016 ANCA World Autism Festival. Celebrate Autistic Achievements Across The Globe. Nominations Open to Autistic Individuals and Others Supporting the Global Autistic Community.  Click here for more information 

   Down Syndrome  

• Model With Down's Syndrome Finds Love - Madeleine Stuart. Remember the model with down's syndrome who captured hearts and minds when she walked the runway at the New York Fashion Week? Well, she's in the news again and for all the right reasons.She's found love. Madeleine Stuart shared a photo of herself and boyfriend Robie Streeting kissing. She has also been nominated for the 2016 Australian Of The Year Award. Amazing woman.
   
• Dad's Emotional Video Defending Down Syndrome Sparks Overwhelming Support
  A Canadian father is receiving support around the globe after posting a video of himself defending children with Down syndrome. Robb Scott, 41, of Truro, Nova Scotia, created the video on Feb. 20 after he said he overheard another father in a video store explaining to his son what Down syndrome was.
• 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 South #3-3800 72nd Street, Delta, BC
  Reach Developmental Preschool North Delta 10921 - 82nd Avenue, Delta, BC
  
  **alternating each month
  • 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 

Medical and Mental Health

• Click here for the Kelty Mental Health News

• 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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Workshops and Training 

• Click here for the CCRR Winter Class Schedule 

• Click here for information on RDSP presentation

• Free RDSP Information Tele-Seminars

  The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a Canada-wide registered matched savings plan specific for people with disabilities under the age of 60.
  Plan Institute's FREE Tele-seminars are facilitated by an RDSP expert. The presentation is 45 minutes with an additional 45 minutes for questions and answers. The presentation includes an in depth overview of all aspects of the RDSP including details to find out if you are eligible and the steps to obtaining an RDSP.
  Tuesday March 8th at 10am
  Registration is needed to participate and receive the login details for the tele-seminar.
  Register here
   
• Anxiety - Practical Intervention Strategies
  Victoria: March 7, 2016 (early rate deadline February 15)
  Vancouver: March 9, 2016 (early rate deadline February 17)
  This workshop provides practical and accessible strategies which can be applied across the lifespan and address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social aspects of anxiety.
  Early Rate $198; Regular Rate $220 Click here to register
• Positively Parenting Workshop Series For Parents and Caregivers of Kids 7 - 18. WEDNESDAYS 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Cloverdale Recreation Centre 6188 176 Street. Presented in partnership with Alexandra Neighbourhood House
  MAR 9 WHY ARE YOU ACTING THIS WAY?
  Understanding challenging behaviours
  APR 6 LISTEN TO ME!
  Learning to listen, understand and communicate with your child
  MAY 11 WE HAVE A PROBLEM...
  Problem solving with children and youth
  Attend one workshop or attend them all! For more information and to register call 604-538-5060 ext. 24
   
• YOGA FOR THE SPECIAL CHILD(R) THE SONIA SUMAR METHOD BASIC ONE PROGRAM  March 14 - 20 Vancouver B.C.Taught by Sherry LeBlanc

  Location: Sacred Space Studio, 3574 west 4th Avenue, Van. B.C. Contact: Sherry LeBlanc to register and for more information  email hereor call 416-532-5988. Click here to see the website
   
• Facing the Future Together - A succession planning workshop for families March 19, 2016 (10am-3pm).  Presented by Ted Kuntz. At some point in the future the role of monitoring, advocating and caring for your relative with a disability must pass from the parents' generation to the next.

  This full-day workshop is designed to inform and assist all members of the family and their successors to:

  • Address concerns about the future and secure a succession plan
  • Hear how other families are creating peace of mind
  • Consider how to share roles and responsibilities
  • Identify key resources
  • Balance wishes and obligations

  Identify short and long term actions
  • Click here for more information and to register 

• Violence Threat Assessment - Planning and Response
  Vancouver: March 30, 2016 (early rate deadline March 9)        
  This workshop provides a communication and decision-making model to help businesses, schools, organizations and communities become more effective in their management of threats.       
  Some of the topics covered:  
  Stages of Violence - From Grievance to Confrontation
  Threat Assessment Team and Plan Development
  The Threat Assessment Flow Chart and Process
  Fundamental Assessment Questions
  Detailed Assessment Considerations
  Unable to attend? Join the live webinar
  March 22 from 1 pm - 2 pm (CST)
  Early Rate $198; Regular Rate $220 Click here to register
   
• Reach presents: April 2, 2016 9:30 - 4:30 - Positive Parenting Advanced Class - Basics and Beyond. For parents of Children 3 - 18 - you must have taken the pre-requisite course of Positive Parenting the Basics. 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. Register by calling Pam at 604-946-6622 extension 359 oremail here
   
• Sat, Apr 2 at 9:30 AM,Vancouver, BC

  Advocating For Special Needs in BC Schools Conference

  By: BC PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS - EQUITABLE ACCESS TO EDUCATION.  

  Join us for our first annual Advocacy Conferfence!  Do you have a child who needs extra support at school? Wondering how to get your child what they need to survive and thrive in the system?  

  KEYNOTE SPEAKER -  Birgitta Von Krosigk

  Advocating for the Advocate by Birgitta von Krosigk
  Coach, Facilitator, Mediator, and Researcher at Dialogica, Vancouver, BC

  Click here to learn more
   
• Autism - Strategies for Self-Regulation, Learning and Challenging Behaviours Apr 06 - Apr 07, 2016 (9 AM - 4 PM)
  Price: 375.00 (*early rate) 420.00 (regular rate)
  *early rate expires March 16, 2016
  Vancouver, British Columbia - Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre
  Trainer: Kalyn Falk, MA Working with individuals who have autism can be a very meaningful experience, but it is not without its challenges. With recent reports indicating that an increasing number of individuals are on the autism spectrum, a greater number of care providers are encountering individuals with autism as part of their work and life. While every person with autism is unique, many face similar challenges. The primary focus of this workshop is to provide practical strategies for 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 to register
   
• ACT's 12th Annual Focus on Research Autism & Family Quality of Life - Developing Culturally Responsive Research and Intervention Programming.  Roy Richard Grinker, PhD
  Professor of Anthropology, International Affairs, and Human Sciences at George Washington University   Friday & Saturday, April 15 & 16, 2016 Simon Fraser University - Downtown Campus Vancouver, B.C. *Early Bird rate ends March 2nd, 2016. This conference will provide a forum for researchers, clinicians, educators, parents and those who work for community organizations to address the realities facing marginalized families who have children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disabilities.  These families include First Nations, refugees, immigrants; all those isolated by virtue of language, culture or by living in rural or remote areas. Click here for more information
   
• Jennifer Sexton is very happy to announce two wonderful workshops. We are pleased to announce that Kim Barthel, a world renowned teacher, author, lecturer and speaker will be offering four days of workshops in our very own Coquitlam!!
  Kim is an occupational therapist with an in-depth knowledge of the neuroscience behind sensory processing and behaviour. The first workshop she will present is entitled " A Sensory Approach in Looking Beyond the Behaviour: Becoming a Behaviour Detective". This workshop is aimed primarily at parents, caregivers, support workers, and teachers. The two days promise to be life altering as Kim touches are topics that include the chemicals involved in Arousal Theory, sensory contributions to challenging behaviours, trauma and defiant behaviour, Attachment theory and sensory processing, co-regulating arousal, sensory strategies when interacting with children with complex behaviours.
  This workshop takes place on April 27th and 28th.
  The second workshop : Mindful Parent: A Mentoring Program for Parents of Children with Special Needs will take place on April 29th and 30th.
  This workshop is aimed at families. Kim will work with parents and child to help develop a greater understanding of some of the barriers that the child faces and how the parents can help their child to facilitate positive behaviour, interaction and engagement. These two days will be limited to 15 families. It is recommended that if a family would like to register for this workshop, that they do attend the "Sensory Approach in Looking Beyond the Behaviour: Becoming a Behaviour Detective" as this will provide a firm foundation on which to build more practical skills.
  Please note that the early bird registration for both workshops is February 29th. Space is limited for the Mindful Parent workshop, so please reserve your place to avoid disappointment. Click here for more information 
   
• Save the Date! Inclusion BC 2016 Conference, June 22-25, 2016
  Inclusion BC is excited to announce that we're partnering up with AimHi (Prince George Association for Community Living) to host our 2016 conference and AGM in Prince George. Stay tuned for more information!

• Creating the Future - Partnerships for Inclusive Learning Save the Date:  August 22-24, 2016 at UBC in Vancouver, BC. Facilitating strategic approaches to inclusion
  & belonging for all students Registration now open! Cllck here for more information 
  
   

Other

• 15 Tips to Raise a Responsible Child.  We all want to raise responsible children. And we all want to live in a world where others have been raised to be responsible, a world where adults don't shrug off their responsibilities as citizens. As my son said, surveying the littered park when he was three, "Don't grownups know they have to clean up their own messes?" So how do we raise our kids to take responsibility for their choices and their impact on the world? Click here to read more
  
   
• Surrey FC adapted soccer team offers kids with disabilities a kick at the ball. Special Olympics coaches trained volunteers to work one-on-one with players. An adapted soccer program in Surrey, B.C., is giving kids with development and intellectual disabilities the chance to show their talent on the field. Many of the children taking part in Surrey FC's new adapted soccer program have never played on a team before. Click here to read more 

• There will be a Relaxed Performance of Go, Dog. Go! on March 19, 2016 at 2:00pm
  at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island 1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver. We are thrilled to announce our first Relaxed Performance with a special performance of Go, Dog. Go! We will be the first theatre for young audiences company in British Columbia to stage a Relaxed Performance specially crafted for people who benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment, including children with autism or sensory and communication disorders. This special sensory-friendly performance of Go, Dog. Go! aims to create a more welcoming, accessible, and comfortable theatre environment for Vancouver families. Click here for more information
   
• Click here for the CCRR Winter Newsletter

• Click here for the current edition of Parenting Special Needs Magazine 

• 2016 Alaska Mission Possible Cruise  Madeline Stuart, Barbara Laird and Cyndi Gerlach
  It's no surprise that Celebrity guests and the travel press, including Conde Nast Traveler, consistently rate Celebrity Cruises as one of the world's finest cruise lines. Celebrity fulfills your clients dreams of remarkable, memorable vacations.
  July 10, 2016 Click here for more 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.
• Click here for your comprehensive guide 

• Your One Stop Shop for children and families in Delta - click here

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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