July 2007 – 5th issue of ABACUS E-news created by Autism Ontario

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ABACUS’ 1st Year Anniversary

This month of July marks the first anniversary of the ABACUS website. Since the launched, we had more than 1 million hits to the site. Prior to this website, there was no central online resource on ABA services and ABA-related information specific to Ontario.

The ABACUS website was created under the guidance of the ABACUS Advisory Committee which consisted of parents and professionals in Behaviour Analysis field, specializing in Autism. We had the privilege to partner with ONTABA to provide us with relevant information on Ontario-specific issues and/or opportunities in the field of Behaviour Analysis.

Autism Ontario is grateful for the feedback it has received to date from families and providers alike on issues such as identifying qualified providers, credentialing needs of professionals in Ontario, educational opportunities in the field, placement issues, and the gap between supply of and demand for providers. The advisory committee meets quarterly to address such issues.


Coming Soon! ABACUS Website Survey

In our effort to ensure continuous improvement of the ABACUS website, Autism Ontario will be conducting a survey to get feedback from consumers – parents, ABA providers, and other community stakeholders. The survey will be sent via email and will also be posted on ABACUS and Autism Ontario websites this month. We urge you to participate in this survey.


Ontario Government Announced Funding for Summer Camps Relief for Children with Autism

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services recently announced that it will be funding at least 647 children with ASD to attend summer camp. Funding aims to provide summer camp subsidies to 500 families across the province and to Autism Ontario chapters’ existing summer camps, namely in the Dufferin, Hamilton, Niagara Region, Sarnia, and York Region chapters.

Please note that due to the maximum number of families that can be supported by this funding, approval for subsidy is on a first-come-first-served basis.

For more information about this new initiative and how to apply for funding, please click here.


Ontario Certification of Behaviour Analysts

Autism Ontario has received enquiries regarding how applied behaviour analysis providers are certified in Ontario. Is this different from the certification process provided by the Board Analyst Certification Board? You can find out by visiting the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA) website. Please click here for more information.


ONTABA’S Call for Nominations for Excellence Awards 2007

ONTABA is currently soliciting nominations for its very first awards for excellence and contribution in the field of Behaviour Analysis. Three awards will be handed out:

1. Excellence in the academic achievement in Behaviour Analysis
2. Excellence in the application of Applied Behaviour Analysis
3. Excellence in Research in Behaviour Analysis

As interest in the application of behaviour analysis, particularly in behaviour intervention and teaching strategies for individuals with ASD becomes more widespread, this initiative is very timely. There is a demand for best practices in the application of ABA specific to Ontario. What existing models do we have in the province that proved to be effective and can be duplicated and sustained through time? How do you balance the clinical approach and the need to uphold the person-centred philosophy in one’s practice?

To find out more about the ONTABA awards and the nomination process, please click here.


Autism Ontario's Realize Community Potential (RCP) Program Speaker Events

Autism Ontario's RCP Program offers speaker events that include introduction to ABA, sexuality workshop, and training on how to advocate effectively. Please click on the listing below for more information.

August 9, 2007: RCP Niagara Region Chapter - Sexuality Workshop with Susan Ludwig

August 24-25, 2007: RCP Ottawa Chapter - Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis & Verbal Behavior in an IBI Program for Individuals with Autism

August 29, 2007: RCP London Chapter - Sexuality Workshop with Susan Ludwig

September 8, 2007: RCP Thunder Bay Chapter - Sexuality Workshop with Susan Ludwig

September 22, 2007: RCP Ottawa Chapter - Sexuality Workshop with Susan Ludwig

October 27, 2007: RCP York Region Chapter - Sexuality Workshop with Susan Ludwig

November 10, 2007: RCP Durham Region Chapter - Sexuality Workshop with Susan Ludwig

December 6, 2007: RCP Niagara Chapter - Step Approach Model for Effective Advocacy

March 19, 2008: RCP Ottawa Chapter - Step Approach Model for Effective Advocacy

Student Field Placement Opportunities Needed!

Fanshawe College, in partnership with St. Clair College and Lambton College, is offering a one year graduate certificate in Autism and Behavioural Sciences.

Students of this program will gain a deeper expertise in autism and behavioural science within the children's sector which will ultimately lead to graduates that have an advanced knowledge of autism and a heightened awareness of effective intervention techniques.

There are two placement requirements for students to complete. Both placements require the student to participate in a supervised ABA/IBI program for children with ASD.

Placement one 140 hours (4 weeks)
Placement two 210 hours (6 weeks)

THERE IS CURRENTLY A NEED FOR PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LONDON, WINDSOR AND SARNIA.

Field placement supervisors are not required to mark the students; only evaluate their skills. Field placement opportunities require individuals with supervising capacity. Since many therapists provide service to families outside of a centre-based approach, a student may be required to “shadow” a therapist during his/her day. If you think you can provide a learning opportunity for a student, please contact:

Cori DuHasky-Professor
Autism and Behavioural Sciences
School of Health Sciences and Human Services
Fanshawe College
cduhasky@fanshawec.ca
519-452-4224
For more information on the Autism and Behavioural Sciences Graduate Certificate Program, please click on the following links:

Fanshawe College
Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology
St. Clair College


Next Issue
September 2007

Disclaimer
Please note that information contained in this e-news is strictly for information purposes only and should not be taken as a clinical advice.

ABACUS is a program of Autism Ontario and funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.



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