2007 Workshop & Training Initiatives

Totals	# of Workshops	Different Communities	ACT on Tour	Languages	Webcasts	Total Registrants	Hours of Training
2006	41	14	23	3	1	2760	21,188
2007	42	15	26	3	1	2,707	19,997

2007 was another extremely busy year for ACT. Events were presented in 15 communities throughout British Columbia, including smaller ones like Quesnel, Williams Lake, Gibsons & Smithers, which we had not visited previously. We did not do as many of our large scale Vancouver- based workshop, choosing to focus on more Intro level ACT on Tour presentations, as we received special funding from MCFD to do so for the 2006/2007 financial year.

While this was more expensive than we had projected, and has put ACT under considerable financial pressure, it was very satisfying to provide valuable training to families across BC living in small communities that are chronically underserved. It is striking that in smaller communities, there is a tendency for more para-professionals to attended, as well as parents. This really supports the building of a team based approach to autism treatment. However, we also learned that given the geographical complexities of BC, combined with the small populations outside the Lower Mainland, we need to find additional ways of serving families in smaller communities rather than relying on live events. There are simply too many communities, each with families who have very different needs, to serve their training needs primarily with the ACT on Tour format.

While all ACT staff members worked extremely hard to make these events a success, we could not have done it without the commitment of our BC-based autism specialists. They have been prepared to travel around the province to present talks specially prepared for ACT. As mentioned above, the cost of going on the road has been subsidized by a grant from the BC Ministry for Children and Family Development, so that no matter where we present across BC, the registrants pay the same. Without the support of MCFD it would have been impossible for us to travel to smaller communities especially with the rising costs associated with flying into small communities. In most communities ACT has had volunteers who have helped us put on these events – we could not have sustained this effort without their support as on a number of weekends ACT was putting on events in two and even three different communities.

Special thanks to:
• Dr. Jill Calder who presented An Introduction to Autism Treatment - A Case Management Survival Guide for Parents and Professionals;
• Mary-Ann Fulks who presented Sensory Processing in Children with ASD;
• Dr. Suzanne Jacobson who presented Taking the Fear Out of ABA; How to Use The ABLLS R as an Assessment and IEP Development Tool; and Hands on Verbal Behaviour with Anna Matchneva;
• Dr. Gerry Kysela, Christie Cheremshynski and Bruce Hamm who presented Encouraging Parent-Child Interaction;
• Dr. Joe Lucyshyn who presented Positive Behavior Support at Home for Children with Autism and Related Disorders;
• Clair Schuman who presented The Art of Advocacy for Parents of Children with Special Needs.
• Dr. Vikram Dua who presented Mental Health Conditions and Autism, and agreed to ACT webcasting it.

ACT has also been extremely fortunate that Simon Fraser University continues to offer us their facilities at their downtown campus at a reduced cost. We appreciate Professor Grace Iarocci's role in providing us this link with Simon Fraser University. Registrants who come to Vancouver from all over BC for more specialized training, have told us how much they appreciate this central facility, which can be reached easily by pubic transport. In 2007 we continued to draw registrants from all over the world.

SFU's facilities have made it possible for us to bring in a number of leading international specialists to Vancouver in 2007, including Carol Grey, Dr. Scott Bellini and Dr. James Partington. October Awareness Month 2007 was a great success, presented by Dr. Geraldine Dawson and Sally Rogers - two international leaders in autism treatment.

ACT continued our efforts to provide training in Cantonese and Mandarin, thanks to the efforts of ACT Information Officer Hugo Chan who developed a workshop on Positive Behavior Support in both languages. This was co-sponsored by S.U.C.C.E.S.S and was very well received. ACT appreciates Dr. Joe Lucyshyn's generosity in supporting Hugo Chan's work.