Re: Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) as an Intervention for Children and Youth with

Participants not able to participate

Melanie.Elliott@gov.sk.ca

in the live broadcast can view the presentation through the archived SCN e-cast stream at a later date.

Individuals may also choose to attend Dr. Leaf’s workshop in person at the Royal Saskatchewan

Museum Auditorium in Regina. For those interested in the workshop in Regina, please see the attached

poster for registration details.

If you have any further questions regarding the broadcast, please contact Melanie Elliott at 787-0575 or

Watch Now

******Please note a change of venue ..... it is now at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum at the corner of Albert and College in Regina*****

EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION PROGRAM, REGINA REGION

Is pleased to bring Dr. Ronald Leaf to Regina

Contact person:

Debra MacDonald

1-306-347-5021

Date: January 30, 2009

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Come and hear Dr. Ron Leaf discuss the myths and facts regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) with a focus on the components of effective interventions.

Location:

NEW LOCATION  is the Royal Saskatchewan Museum at the corner of College and Albert st.

Regina, Sask.

Dr. Leaf is a licensed psychologist who has over thirty-five years of experience in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Dr. Leaf began his career working with Ivar Lovaas while receiving his undergraduate degree at UCLA. Subsequently he received his doctorate under the direction of Dr. Lovaas. During his years at UCLA he served as Clinic Supervisor, Research Psychologist, Interim Director of the Autism Project and Lecturer. He was extensively involved in several research investigations, contributed to the the teaching autistic children. Dr. Leaf has consulted to families, schools, day programs and residential facilities on a national and international basis. Ron is the Executive Director of Behavior Therapy and Learning Center, a mental health agency that consults with parents, care-providers and school personnel. Dr. Leaf is a Co-Director of Autism Partnership. Ron is the coauthor of "Treatment.Me Book and is a co-author of Me Book Videotapes, a series of instructional tapes for A Work in Progress", a published book on Behavioral

This will be a five hour information session with Dr. Ron Leaf. He will discuss the myths and facts regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).

This session will run for the five full hours with a small break in the middle (8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Registration will be at 8:00 a.m.

This workshop will be of interest to parents and professionals that work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and various others.

We were able to get Dr. Leaf to come to Regina at the end of an ABA workshop he is presenting at in Nipawin

developmental disabilities.

We will be charging a small fee of $10.00.

The Wascana Rehabilitation Centre Auditorium will only hold 100 people and we anticipate this will fill up quickly, 

Please send registration forms by e-mail or fax. Please forward your $10.00 registration by mail.

Make cheques payable to ECIP, RR. Receipts will be given out upon request at the time of registration.

Address:

Early Childhood Intervention Program, Regina Region

#305 – 1102 8th Avenue

Regina, Sask., S4R 1C9

Phone: 1-306-347-5020
 

Do not wait to register. Parking is available in lot 5 which is west of Ave. G along 23rd Avenue. (WRC address 2180 23rd Ave.)

Fax # 1-306-347-5030

e-mail: ecip.rr@sasktel.net

Registration deadline is January 22, 2009

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REGISTRATION FOR Dr. Ron Leaf

NAME: ______________________________________________

ADDRESS:___________________________________________

____________________________________________________

PHONE: Day __________________Other__________________

E-MAIL ______________________________________________

Fee $10.00 mailed ___ Rec’d ___ Receipt required_______

•Parent _____

•Professional_____

Posted By Jennifer Blake Progress Staff

The Northwest School Division’s pilot project for autism took a step forward last week. This latest round of training for parents, teachers and other professionals who work with autistic children was a follow-up to the first week back in early October. This time around, Autism Partnership consultant Jon Rafuse, who came from the Massachusetts office, spent time observing and speaking with the participants on how the children have progressed. He picked up where consultants Julide Saltuklaroglu and Erin Bond left off the last time.

This training is Carolyn Forsey’s dream. The Superintendent of Student Services for the NWSD and mother of a child with autism said now that the parents and professionals have spent some time working with their children since the first round of training, she can already see the effects.

“The families have been very responsive and I’m impressed with the gains their kids have made,” she said, following the first day of consultation.

“From the school division’s perspective, the schools say they can use this training with other types of behavioral concerns.”

The training technique, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is being taught to the participants, which they have already implemented in their homes and schools. During this round of training, the team traveled to those schools to observe how the children interact within their regular environments.

“We are going to see the classrooms these kids are in all the time,” said Rafuse prior to the trip around the school division.

“We want to just observe them in their natural environment, see if there are any additional issues and work to come up with a curriculum to help these kids. Then we’ll meet with the teams again and figure out how things are going.”

He said after the first day, where he spoke with the participants in groups, he found most of them were enthusiastic.

“A lot of the feedback has been positive,” he said.

“They have been actively asking questions, and many stayed afterwards to speak one-on-one with me.”

Rafuse added he is impressed with the amount of support for this training in northern Saskatchewan.

“It is neat to have such a bye-in,” he said.

“These people didn’t have to show up, but they did. This is a very effective teaching technique and it’s great to see the support from the school division and community. It’s fun to watch the growth of these children.”

Forsey said the training has already done more than everyone could have hoped for.

“ABA is just good teaching,” she said.

“I had one mom who didn’t say a word the whole week. She came up to me afterwards and said ‘thank you for giving me hope’.”

She added that this is just the beginning of her dream for the province of Saskatchewan.

“I want a centre for autism in Saskatchewan,” she said.

“I want it to have a respite program, an age appropriate functional life skills program, an ABA style program. It will be dedicated to Dr. Ron Leaf because he is the one who gave us hope when we had no hope.”

Dr. Leaf wrote “A Work in Progress” which is used in ABA training. He also came to Meadow Lake in October 2007 for the “Faces of Autism” conference.

Forsey said a centre for autism would benefit everyone affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“As long as it’s in this province anyone can use it,” she said.

“If I’m a teacher and I have a child in my classroom with autism, I can go and have training in ABA. It doesn’t matter where it is.”

And she emphasized that ABA doesn’t only benefit people with autism.

“It is amazing in and of itself,” said Forsey.

“Imagine working with an aggressive kid and being able to get that behavior under control. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Saskfeat AGM will be held on Skype on Wednesday June 25 at 8:30 pm. Skype is a voice over internet protocol that allows verbal communication over the internet for anyone who has a microphone and has downloaded the Skype program.  Anyone wishing to join please contact Tim Verklan at Saskfeat@hotmail.com or Brad Hayes at bmhayes@sasktel.net

Kelsey Trail Health Region, in partnership with Saskatchewan Families for Effective Autism Treatment (SASKFEAT), has received approval for $59,051 in funding for Autism intervention training sessions from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

The funding will be used to provide intervention training for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Training will also be provided for professional staff providing treatment and support services.

This summer, 24 trainees comprising of families with children with ASD and professional staff from various sectors will participate in a five day training workshop  “The intent of the workshop is to provide tools and hands-on training for children with ASD,” explained Rick Peters, Director Mental Health & Addiction Services, Kelsey Trail Health Region.    “The training will provide health professionals working with these children and their families with an expanded capacity for ongoing behaviour management strategies and the resources to provide enhanced services for the Kelsey Trail Health Region.”

“SASKFEAT is proud of the partnership with KTHR and co-coordinating this unique hands-on autism workshop,” stated Tim Verklan, President of SASKFEAT.  “This workshop will provide parents the piece of mind knowing that there are specially trained personnel in the region to help their children.  Also caregivers and professionals will have the confidence and experience to help maximize the learning potential of children with ASD using the tools and methodologies taught and practiced at this workshop.”

The workshop will be led by world renowned Dr. Ron Leaf and a team from Autism Partnership.  Dr. Leaf and Autism Partnership have over 35 years of combined experience in providing effective services to families with autistic children.  The training will be based on Dr. Leaf’s book, A Work in Progress:  Behaviour Management Strategies and a Curriculum for Intensive Behavioural Treatment of Autism.

Autism Partnership will also provide a follow-up workshop after the initial course offering as a training support option, providing for continued capacity building for families, children and Kelsey Trail Health Region.   

Registration Brochure and information click on Reports/Documents

World Autism Awareness Day April 2, 2010 As Minister of Health, I am pleased that Canada is joining other countries in recognizing April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Autism Society of Canada and all autism organizations across the country for their tireless work in creating awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and providing support to those affected by this condition.   ASD affects people from all walks of life, as well as their families, friends and caregivers. Roughly o ne out of every 150 Canadian children is affected by ASD . While there has been progress in research, care and education, we need to learn more about the causes of ASD and the most effective treatments and interventions.   The Government of Canada recognizes that autism is an important health and social issue which presents challenges for many Canadian families. We are committed to supporting research and raising awareness. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has provided approximately $35.3 million for research related to autism since 2000.    I would like to express my sincere appreciation to every autism organization in Canada for their continued dedication to improving the lives of Canadians living with ASD .   Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health Government of Canada   http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/minist/messages/_2010/2010_04_01c-eng.php

Autism Organizations in Saskatchewan Welcome Provincial Autism Funding As a First Step

For immediate release

SASKATOON SASKATCHEWAN

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Saskatchewan Autism Organizations welcome today’s announcement made by Health Minister Don McMorris that 3 million dollars in annualized funding as an important first step towards the provision of services for individuals with autism and their families.

"We are pleased that an Advisory Group representing health care and community based organizations will be created to make recommendations on the most effective use of the new funding. The families’ autism organizations represent can now have some direct involvement in the development of autism services in Saskatchewan." said Shannon Friesen, Executive Director of Autism Services in Saskatoon.

"While we see this as an important first step we don’t want to lose sight of the fact that "Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada without a publicly funded early intervention program specifically for children with autism. The creation of a publicly funded early intervention program will require a much greater investment of funding that the 3 million dollars announced today" comments Tim Verklan, President of Saskatchewan Families for Effective Autism Treatment (SASKFEAT)

An autism early intervention program Autism Intervention Programs typically provide 25-40 hours per week of educational interventions that incorporate Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) principles, as well as programming which develops social and pragmatic language skills. The program is usually delivered in a 1-1 setting, and also allows access to SLP and OT services inside and outside of the program.

Autism is health epidemic, currently impacting 1 in 150 children and 1 in every 94 boys. Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the world. "A provincial comprehensive autism strategy with attached funding is required to address the complex treatment, services and accommodation needs for those across the autism spectrum throughout their entire lifespan," said Shannon Friesen, Executive Director of Autism Services in Saskatoon. We look forward to working with the provincial government in developing autism programming with universal funding that will respond to this provincial crisis.

For more information please contact:

Contacts:

Shannon Friesen

Executive Director,

Autism Services, Saskatoon,

(306) 227-0830

sfriesen@autismservices.ca

Tim Verklan

SASKFEAT,

Tisdale

(306)-862-4768
 

Autism Society Canada Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day with Call to Action

For immediate release

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire – March 26, 2008)

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139 World Autism Awareness Day, by unanimous consent, encouraging UN Member States to take measures to raise world-wide awareness about autism and to promote early diagnosis, early intervention and necessary services for individuals with ASD and their families. The resolution designates April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day - a UN Day to be observed every year starting in 2008.

Autism Society Canada (ASC) joins other organizations around the world in welcoming this opportunity to celebrate the unique strengths of our Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community and to bring world attention to the critical and complex needs of individuals and families living with autism. ASC’s President, Christine Dade applauds the UN for this important recognition and also pays tribute to our strong autism community in Canada…

"…The ASD community in Canada includes thousands of diverse individuals with many unique abilities and talents - at Autism Society Canada we are very honoured to work with an Advisory Committee of Adults with ASDs from across the country who share their experience and advise our Board on adult needs and issues. We would also like to mark this special day by paying tribute to our provincial and territorial network of committed parents and family members living with autism who have developed truly exceptional skills, knowledge and perseverance while working to support their loved-ones in the face of so many barriers. Individuals with ASDs and their families are an inspiration to all Canadians".

Incidence of autism is now as high as 1/150 with rates appearing to be increasing across the globe. Based on data collected from North America, Western Europe and Japan, it is conservatively estimated that 35 million people worldwide have autism. ASD usually presents lifelong challenges for those diagnosed, for their family members and for society as a whole. Over 200,000 Canadian children, youth and adults are affected by ASD and many have very complex needs. These figures do not account for the millions of parents, other family members, caregivers, employers, teachers, researchers, professionals, and others who are also deeply affected, emotionally, socially and financially by an alarming inequity in available treatment, services, and funding for ASD. 1

Autism Society Canada has been working for over thirty years to promote a comprehensive federal National Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategy – we feel national action and commitment on ASD is absolutely vital in order to bring equal access to targeted health and social services for all Canadians with ASDs. There are currently glaring gaps in the availability of fully funded treatment and services for children, youth and adults with ASD. The lifespan needs facing our community in Canada and around the globe are complex and the treatment, service and accommodation needs across the ASD spectrum are multi-faceted.

All of us in the ASD Community – persons with ASD, parents and other family members, health care professionals, educators and researchers are joining together to ensure that autism finds its rightful place in the health, education and social services systems – we envision a Canada that sets an example as world leader, with a progressive, comprehensive response to autism…a Canada where individuals with ASDs are enabled to reach their full potential.

On this landmark World Autism Awareness Day we call on our federal leaders to take up the UN’s global challenge to act quickly to ensure the rights of some of our most unique and vulnerable citizens.

Autism Society Canada is a nationally incorporated charity founded in 1976. ASC is a federation of Canada-wide provincial and territorial autism societies whose collective memberships represent a very large community of individuals affected by ASD and their families in Canada. ASC is committed to advocacy, public education, information and referral, and the support of its provincial and territorial autism societies.

For more information please contact:

Lynn Andrews, Director of Communications, Autism Society Canada: lynn@autismsocietycanada.ca

• Speech/Language Pathologists
• Teacher and Educational Assistants
• Home and Centre-Based Therapists
• Behaviour Analysts
• Occupational Therapists
• Program Administrators and Supervisors
• Psychologists and Social Workers
• Parents and Family Members
  

• What is ASD?
• ASD and it's impact on employment.
• TEACCH Transition Assesment
• Profile (TTAP)
• How to administer and record the TTAP and some samples of record keeping
• Job development strategies for individuals with ASD.
• Models and strategies for support.
• Preparing individuals with ASD for the social expectations of the workplace
• Visual strategies and adaptations for individuals with ASD on the job.
• How to plan a transition to the workplace
  

• PARENTS
• TEACHERS
• JOB COACHES
• EMPLOYERS
• POST SECONDARY
• VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES