ACT Autism Community Training's
noteworthy events and articles related to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Disclaimer: ACT posts news reports and other sources on this website for the information of our readers only.
ACT neither endorses nor condemns this material. We urge readers to consider this information with a critical eye and to form their own opinions about its validity or applicability to their situation.
3rd Annual Walk Now for Autism
EVENT INFORMATION
Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a family-friendly FUNdraising event so bring the whole family along. There are activities for children of all ages, resources for families, light refreshments and entertainment.
Date: Sunday, September 26, 2010
Location: Nat Bailey Stadium, Vancouver
Registration/Event opens: 8:30 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 9:45 AM
Walk Start: 10:00 AM
Closing Ceremonies: 11:30 AM
- Walk Now for Autism Speaks website
- Join Team ACT !
ACT is seeking a Manager, Autism Information Services
Recently ACT was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Children and Family Development to continue providing autism-related information and support to families and professionals throughout British Columbia. We are now ready to recruit a manager for ACT’s Autism Information Services. For more details on this exciting leadership role with ACT see the job posting.
| View Job Posting >
RASP Complaints Resolution Process Updated
ACT is receiving an increasing number of complaints from parents concerning the professional provided autism intervention for their child. These include concerns over billing and program content, as well as confidentiality issues. ACT has been contracted to provide a complaints resolution service by MCFD. To find more about the complaints process see www.actcommunity.net/RASP/Complaints/RASP_Resolution_Policy.html You are welcomed to telephone an ACT Information Officer to discuss your concerns.
UBC M.Ed. in Special Education
- Concentration in Autism / Developmental Disabilities
Location: Vancouver Island
Website: http://eplt.educ.ubc.ca/programs/grad/spav.php
Extended Deadline
The application deadline for UBC's M.Ed. program focusing on Autism/Developmental Disabilities, which will be delivered on Vancouver Island beginning in September 2010, has been extended to February 15, 2010. We are just a few registrants short of the threshold, so your participation can make a difference.
This is a part-time program designed to accommodate the schedules of working teachers and professionals. It is offered by the Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology and Special Education in the Faculty of Education.
For additional information, please contact Tracey Degner (1-888-492-1122) or visit the program website.
| More Details (.pdf) >
Best Wishes & ACT's Office Hours for the Holiday Season
The Staff and Board of ACT – Autism Community Training wish all our families and the professionals who work with them a relaxing holiday season. May you all be rested and invigorated for 2010! Our offices will be closed on December 23 and will reopen on January 4, 2010. In case of emergency, Deborah Pugh can be contacted at dpugh@actcommunity.net or at 604-710-4028.
Thanking Clair Schuman, ACT’s Executive Director
ACT’s Board of Directors would like to thank our founding Executive Director, Clair Schuman, who will be moving from the Metro Vancouver area. Clair’s husband has retired and they are embarking on a new chapter in their lives in a new community. ACT extends our appreciation to Clair for the important work she did in the development of ACT as a leading source of information and support on autism in British Columbia since its inception five years ago. There are many challenges in setting up a new not-for-profit, and Clair played a vital role in that process as well as maintaining a strong focus on the need for ACT to teach families to become skilled as advocates for their children with special needs and their families. In the interim, the ACT Board of Directors has appointed Deborah Pugh, ACT’s Director of Training, as ACT’s Interim Executive Director. Clair will work with Deborah in the coming months to effect a smooth transition and to complete some special projects focusing on advocacy.
Autism Funding Programs - A Guide to Invoice Payment Forms
The Ministry of Children and Family Development has created a PowerPoint presentation that outlines key aspects of the Invoice Payment funding method, and explains how to use the Invoice Payment forms. The PowerPoint addresses many common questions, and will be helpful both to families who are currently on Invoice Payment, and those who are transitioning to Invoice Payment.
You may view the PDF here
> view - MCFD Invoice Payment System Dec 2009
- It is also available in a printable PDF format
> print - MCFD Invoice Payment System Dec 2009
Tips for Enjoying a Sane Holiday Season
For parents of children with ASD, a few tips from our new staff member Stephanie Frey. Stephanie has three teenagers, two of whom are on the Autism Spectrum and has learnt the value of planning during this season of high, and at times, unreasonable expectations... Read More >
New UBC M. Ed. in Special Education in Victoria
The Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology and Special Education
at UBC plans to offer an M.Ed. program focusing on Autism/Developmental
Disabilities on Vancouver Island, beginning September 2010.
This Masters program will focus on both research and practice. Topics addressed
will include the principles of applied behavior analysis, functional behavior
assessment, positive behavior support, instructional techniques, research design
for small samples and single subjects, strategies for supporting individuals with
autism, and an in-depth study of current autism research.
Who is the program for?
Applications are being accepted from teachers in Victoria and all surrounding school districts. Applications are also being accepted from autism service providers working with children under the age of 6 who wish to meet the qualifications for the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP; see http://www.actcommunity.net/RASP/SP/mcfd_application.htm).
Completion of this M.Ed., program will also meet the coursework requirements for certification as a Board
Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA; see http://www.ecps.educ.ubc.ca/courses/aba1.htm).
Application Deadline:
December 11, 2009
Space in this program is limited, early application
is strongly recommended.
| More Details (.pdf) >
Listing Your Events on ACT’s Website
At ACT we provide information on events happening in BC on topics related to autism and developmental/physical disabilities affecting children and adults and their families.
See our Non-ACT Event Listings here >
To make the process faster and more accurate we have recently developed a new online process for those who want to submit their events for listing:
Please enter your event information online here >
ACT’s Community Group Listing
ACT maintains a listing of community groups around B.C. on our Community Groups page
Community Groups provide an invaluable service to parents of children with a range of special needs as well as self-advocates representing diverse groups.
If you would like your community group listed please enter your information online through our Community Groups Submission Form
New Information from the Autism Funding Unit
The Autism Funding Unit has recently published Frequently Asked Questions see www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/autism/pdf/Autism%20Funding_FAQ%20Nov%202009.pdf and an update on eligible expenses www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/autism/pdf/eligible_expenses.pdf If you have questions about the Autism Funding program, you are welcome to contact ACT. Our team of Information Officers is available to help parents by telephone and email in English, Tagalog and Mandarin. They are available to answer your questions about a wide-range of disability related topics and if they don’t have the answer, they are very good and finding out! ACT also tracks issues faced by families on a wide range of issues. These include standards of service provided by professionals on the RASP, the impact of Autism Funding policies, diagnostic waiting lists and other issues as they arise. We report to government on trends with recommendations on how to better serve families supporting children with ASD. We welcome hearing from parents and professionals.
Telephone in Metro Vancouver: 604-205-5467; Toll-Free: 1-866-939-5188; Email: info@actcommunity.net
New Eligibility Criteria for Adults with ASD or FASD
The links below provide preliminary information on the new eligibility criteria for adults with ASD or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. ACT’s team of Information Officers are working to find out more so that we are in better position to answer questions from community members.
- From the Ministry of Housing and Social Development - www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2009HSD0065-000566.pdf
- From Community Living British Columbia - www.communitylivingbc.ca/news_and_events/whats_new.htm#IE
‘In Your Element: Air’ a Choral Fundraiser Benefiting ACT – November 21st
ACT is pleased to have been selected to be one of the beneficiaries of a concert by the Twelfth House Studio Choir, directed by Tom McPherson on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 8:00 pm at St. Mark's-Trinity Church, 1805 Larch St. at West 2nd Ave.
General Admission $15 Tickets can be reserved in advanced at http://www.tommcpherson.ca/twelfthevents.html
ACT Offers Help to EIBI Parents
ACT has information ready to send out to all parents, including those who currently have children in EIBI programs.
If you would like to receive this information by mail or by email, please contact us at 604.205.5467 -
Toll free at 1.866.939.5188
or email info@actcommunity.net.
For more details of what ACT has available click here
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