2009 Archived News
2008 Archived News
2007 Archived News
2006 Archived News
2005 Archived News
2004 Archived News

October 2009

Provincial Day of Protest Oct. 28

Mom's On The Move update

| More Details (.pdf) >

Reminder!
April is now Autism Awareness Month in BC

April 2nd, 2010 is International Autism Awareness Day – as declared by the United Nations.
We will be celebrating ACT’s second annual April Autism Awareness Month with a three day conference, Focus on Research in BC, April 22-24, 2010.

Keep ACT posted on plans in your community to celebrate Autism Awareness Month.
Email info@actcommunity.net

September 2009

S.A.S. Performance's 2nd Annual Charity Show and Shine

Date: Sunday, Sept 13, 2009
Time: 12pm-4pm
Location: Lordco Auto Parts, Burnaby

> For more info view flyer (.jpg)

Autism Funding Program Update

Sept 16th - Please see the links below for important information from the Ministry of Children and Family Development on changes to Autism Programs in British Columbia.

- Autism Service Changes Sept 2009 (.pdf)
- Autism Factsheet Sept 2009 (.pdf)


Organizing Against EIBI Closures

The Victoria Society for Children with Autism is working with and connecting individuals concerned about recent EIBI funding and program changes in British Columbia. 

For information please contact Laurel Duruisseau, Co-Director, at 250-818-4662 or laurel.duruisseau@victoriaautismsociety.com


ACT Initiatives to Support EIBI Families

ACT recognizes that EIBI families require support to find new providers and to run programs themselves. We are providing the following, available immediately:

• All EIBI families may register free of charge for our two foundational online videos. You will be able to watch these at your convenience on your own computer:

Practical Autism Treatment – From Theories to Reality presented by Dr. Jill Calder.  
For preview: www.actcommunity.net/webcast/2008/PRAC08WEB.html &

What is ABA & Why is it Important in the Treatment of Autism? presented by Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen. For preview: www.actcommunity.net/webcast/2008/WABA08WEB.html

Call or email the ACT office to register or for more information.

• ACT runs the Registry for Autism Service Providers (RASP) on behalf of the Ministry of Children and Family Development: www.actcommunity.net/search/raspprofiles.aspx
• In view of the need for EIBI families to have information on the availability of professionals, ACT has contacted all 375 RASP professionals and asked them to update their listing with their current availability status and where they are prepared to travel to in B.C. If you find information on the RASP that is out of date please let us know at: info@actcommunity.net.
• The ACT website also has profiles for 60 RASP behavior consultants – we are encouraging all to provide profiles. Before hiring a behavior consultant, review a number of profiles: www.actcommunity.net/RASP/Profiles.htm
• The ACT website also has important information on a wide range of issues relevant to parents setting up their own programs: www.actcommunity.net/RASP/Parents/default.htm.

ACT’s team of Information Officers is available to help parents by telephone and email in English, Tagalog and Mandarin. Please call us, we are here to help.

Telephone in Metro Vancouver: 604-205-5467
Toll-Free:  1-866-939-5188 
Email: info@actcommunity.net

Autism Speaks is holding BC’s 2nd Annual Walk Now for Autism and we want you to join or support Team ACT!

Visit our Team ACT page on the Walk Now for Autism website by clicking here (Team ACT Page)

Date:
Saturday, September 26, 2009

Time:
Registration opens: 8:30 AM
Resource Fair opens: 8:30 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 9:45 AM
Walk/Run Start: 10 AM
Closing Ceremonies: 11:45 AM
Event Close: 12 noon

Location:
Nat Bailey Stadium, Vancouver
4601 Ontario Street (at 30th Avenue)

Join Team ACT online before the event or in person at Nat Bailey Stadium on Sept 26th.

> Walk Now For Autism website

June 2009

GiveShoe Productions
call for participants for a film project on Autism

> cover letter (.pdf)
> call for participants (.pdf)

A message about ACT - Autism Community Training,
the RASP, and RDI

> More info (.pdf)

Capilano University Announces New Applied Behavior Analysis Degree Program

May 2009

Woman Hurt In Hyperbaric Chamber Explosion Dies
- Child still listed in critical condition

The grandmother of four-year-old Francesco Pio Martinisi has died from her injuries suffered when a hyperbaric chamber she was in with Francesco exploded, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office. Francesco's condition is still listed as critical.

Francesco came out of surgery late Friday night. His cousins told CBS4 Reporter Natalia Zea he is in critical condition, with burns covering 90 percent of his body.
...
| Details > (offsite link)

Douglas College Offers Autism Specialty programs

Application deadline July 31th (.pdf)
Behaviourial Interventionist (Autism Specialty)

> More Info (.pdf)
> See Other Autism Related Programs

April 2009

Autism Awareness Cards and ACT Information Cards now available in Punjabi

March 2009

BC Celebrates World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2009

In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 62/139 declaring World Autism Awareness Day to be celebrated on April 2, 2008 in perpetuity. This UN Resolution is one of few official disease or disorder-specific United Nations Days and helps to bring international attention to autism as a growing global health crisis that affects tens of millions.  2009 is the first year that Autism Awareness Month in British Columbia will be celebrated in April, traditionally it has been in October.

ACT – Autism Community Training’s 5th Annual Focus on Research Event will be held on April 25, 2009 featuring Dr. Beth Ann Malow, an internationally renowned speaker on the impact of sleep disorders on children with autism. To register see www.actcommunity.net/workshops_and_training/workshops/2009/FORE09VAN.html

MDs grapple with McCarthy Effect

December 2008

• New RDSP enables families to save tax-free for future of disabled Canadians. (offsite link)
  
  

November 2008

• New National Coalition on Dual Diagnosis announced (.pdf)
  
  

October 2008

• First-ever BC Walk Now for Autism raises $268,000.
• 'Aspies' find fun together. (offsite link)
  Victoria Aspergers' group holds monthly social meetings.
• UBC: Series of 6 Webcasts on Autism and Developmental Disabilities released (offsite link)
• Autism and Developmental Disabilities (offsite link)
  
  

September 2008

• Show & Shine raises $2,000!
  
  

July 2008

• B.C. denies services to disabled adults based on IQ A roundup of coverage.
  
  

June 2008

• The great autism rip-off ... How a huge industry feeds on parents desperate to cure their children
  
  

May 2008

• CLBC announces application process for Family Governed Project grants (.pdf)
  
  

March 2008

• Landmark Human-rights Ruling Overturned - Online petition launched
• Moore family announces appeal
  
  

February 2008

• British Columbia Association for Behaviour Analysis (BC-ABA) formed
  
  

January 2008

• Thin Bones Seen In Children with ASD
• CAP College BA program in Autism Therapy starts Sept '09

ACT Reports Released:

• 2007 RASP Report | Full Story>
• 2007 Training Report | Full Story>
  
  

October 2007

• $2 Million Chair in Autism Research and Intervention for SFU
• Vancouver Sun series "Faces of Autism" wins Award
  
• Website helps parents spot autism (offsite link)
  Two american not-for-profits have launched a website intended to help parents to learn to recognise behavior that might mean their child should be tested for Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Website helps parents spot autism. Two american not-for-profits have launched a website intended to help parents to learn to recognise behavior that might mean their child should be tested for Autism Spectrum Disorders.| Full Story
• Boy's case shows autism 'recovery' (Vancouver Sun)
  'Bright' 16-year-old still has attention problems, but U.S. research shows promise of intense therapy
  
  

September 2007

• Register On-Line for ACT's Workshops
• Autism Books for Sale at ACT's Lower Mainland Workshops
• New Social Club for Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Kelowna
• Behaviour Interventionist Foundations Online Course (.pdf) offered online via Douglas College
• Registration opened Sept 2007 Best Practices for the Early Screening, Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Young Children Clinician survey conducted via the Miriam Foundation.
• Under Exposed: The Secret Discipline of BC’s Professions
  The Victoria Times Colonists has recently published a thought provoking series on the regulation of health care professionals.
• Diet, Autistic Behaviour linked
  Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have identified a link between diet and autistic behaviour.
• Mattel recalls toys due to lead paint and magnet concerns
  
  

August 2007

• Fisher Price Toy Recall - Lead Paint on 1 million toys

July 2007

• Gap in services leaves families in 'crisis'
• BCTF Bursary Fund Closed - Funds Depleted

June 2007

• Eugene Levy: Comic actor appeals to politicians to provide medicare coverage
• 1.5 million 'Thomas & Friends' toys recalled - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of various "Thomas & Friends" wooden railway toys
• Making It Work in the Classroom for Students with ASD: Bursary Fund for BCTF Members
  
  

May 2007

• Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond
• CLBC CEO apology regarding BC Bid posting
• GABA OCEANSIDE Open House
• ACT has suspended the addition of new RASP Profiles
• Ontario Government Directs all School Boards to Provide ABA
• Why 'model schools' aren't a good choice

April 2007

• Advocacy services available from the Representative for Children and Youth
• Faces of Autism
• Funding Increases for Microboards

March 2007

• BC's only Behavioural Interventionist training program is now accepting applications for its fall program
• Huge army of autistic children and adults need federal help: committee
• COPE Vancouver School Board Trustees
• In Mid-March the Ministry of Education hosted a by invitation only session to discuss a Provincial School for students with ASD
• Federal Budget Introduces a Registered Disability Savings Plan
• Summary of a court ruling regarding schools' duty to meaningfully consult with parents regarding child's educational program
• Letter to the Minister of Education from a Parent Regarding a Planned Provincial Autism School

February 2007

• New Research on Incidence of ASD
• Teachers' Federation responds to Minister Bond's plans for special schools
• Vancouver Sun reports on Education Minister's plans to develop special schools
• It's Tax Time - Can you reduce your income tax?
• Canadian team launches second phase of international autism genome project
• Canadian Researchers Make a Breakthrough Autism Discovery
• CLBC and Group Home Closures - providing choice or saving money?
• Letter to MCFD

January 2007

• Children and Youth with Special Needs (CYSN) Grants Supports Fund
• Adult Services from Community Living BC for People with Developmental Disabilities and IQs over 70
• Announcement of a Comprehensive Canadian Federal Initiative on ASD
• ACT Supports Research into Early Screening
• Cuts in Child Care Funding Coming
  Reid Report and Letter to Child Care Community
• Concerns at Prospect of Group Home Closures
• Are BC Autism Treatment Funds Taxable Income? - A Ruling from Canada Revenue Agency

Top

December 2006

• October is Autism Awareness Month - Announcing ACT Initiatives
  
  

October 2006

• Welcome to ACT's New Website
  
  

August 2006

• List Your Community Group on ACT's Website!
  
  

June 2006

• Autism Specialty Program at Douglas College
• Chopping support for at 19 makes no sense
• Wanted: New Measuring Stick?
  
  

May 2006

• Participate in the National Information Sharing Project on ASD & Developmental Disabilities Survey
• Research into Early Screening
• ACT Reports on Education News - Recognizing ASD in One Supplemental Funding Category!
  
  

April 2006

• Having Problems Claiming Medical Expense with Revenue Canada?
  
  

March 2006

• In Memory of Phil Bouvier
• Everyone Belongs in Our Schools: A Parent's Handbook on Inclusive Education
• BC Digital Divide Brings Free Computers to Families Who Need Them
  
  

February 2006

• Report on ACT Training in 2006
  
  

January 2006

• BCASW Calls on Government to Respect Court Ruling on Youth with Disabilities
• 2006 Report on Information & Support for ACT
• Webcasting
• Important Information for Parents Using Out-of-Province Providers - 2nd Notice

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November 2005

• Important Information for Parents Using Out-of-Province Providers
• Benn Kramer, August 19, 1956 – October 21, 2005
  
  

October 2005

• Piano Paralympics Demonstration Recital
• ACT's Bursary Fund Grows Thanks to the Richard Brodeur Celebrity Fund
• ACT Welcomes Mary-Anne Fulks to its Advisory Council
  
  

August 2005

• What to do when you have concerns about the service provided by a therapist or behaviour consultant.
• ACT Thanks the Richard Brodeur Celebrity Classic!
• Important News for Friends of ACT - Charitable Tax Status
  
  

July 2005

• Saturday Morning Autism School
  
  

May 2005

• Rahim's Legacy
  
  

March 2005

• UBC Details BACB Requirements on Website
• BC Families to Participate in Groundbreaking Autism Study
  
  

January 2005

• A New Provincial Initiative to Support Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• A New Year for ACT

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December 2004

• ACT's Response to Allegation
  
  

November 2004

• Announcing a New ACT Initiative!
• ACT's Response to SCC Decision