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Hi Littlewolf,
The Autism Ontario Spirale resource is a good place to start http://www.autismontario.com/client/aso/spirale.nsf/web/Home?OpenDocument . Depending on where you live, Autism Ontario could give you some specific names.Hi Littlewolf,
Autism Ontario has let me know that the fund opens up in early July and that they will be in touch with you then.
Thanks,
DonWhat is BDS?
Hi jjkpilson,
Yes, the programs listed on ConnectABILITY.ca are Ontario based. Services and supports for people with a developmental disability are provided by each province. Many of the articles and tips would be useful where ever you live. Here is the website detailing the services in Alberta http://humanservices.alberta.ca/disability-services/pdd.htmlHi Sindhu, Here is a response from an Early Childhood Services staff:
“The first year of ACSD funding is based on family expense estimates but after that year the ministry could ask for receipts. Therefore, it is best if families collect receipts for any incurred expenses under the categories that ACSD funds. This will allow for more accurate allotment (and possible increase) of funds for future years.”
Here are some suggestions from the Behaviour Therapists at Surrey Place Centre:
I would say that the most effective way to teach this skill would be using visual aids – having an activity/game with pictures and teaching the individual to sort multiple examples of clothing (pictures) into the various weather categories per season. After they are able to do this reliably with pictures (and without prompting), they could sort actual pieces of clothing by season/weather in the natural environment, perhaps each morning when picking out their clothing. Obviously a mediator would be needed to teach the initial concepts, but they could be faded out later on when the client is able to choose the appropriate clothing independently.
They may also want to consider (if possible) an antecedent approach. For example, going through the client’s wardrobe with her/him and packing up the winter clothes in a Tupperware container and storing it away for the summer. That way the response effort for wearing winter clothes is higher making it more likely that he/she will pick something out of their closet which only contains “weather appropriate” clothes.
In addition, when sorting the clothes, the clothes storage containers could have visual prompts of the season i.e. Winter, and the clothes you might associate with that season i.e. hat, mittens, etc. this might help to identify and encourage the client to put each clothing article in its appropriate container.
How do we balance the requirement to respect our loved one’s human rights with the attitudes honed by a lifetime’s experience as a caregiver?
- We have to be careful that when we make decisions for our child, we are thinking about the child and NOT ourselves. The result can be disastrous.
- How to get a spouse on board?
- Bring them to events like Connected Families Forum.
- Get connected.
- Get a caseworker / service co-ordinator
- Cultural parent groups
- Don’t be afraid to advocate and get support you need.
What does a “meaningful day” look like for your loved one?
Meaningful day- Inclusion, within the community.
- A combination of recreation, part time and volunteer work component so that the individual is giving back.
- Connecting with community – a program that helps to connect with community individually – not in groups
- Social Enterprise
- Connecting circles – autism ( Facebook)
Barriers
- Money – How to fund it. Parent should not have to support the adult throughout their life. Many individuals are very capable of contributing to society, but need support – which costs money.
- Parent vs individual goals.
Transitioning
- Person directed Planning and independent planning – getting the individuals goals/ dreams.
- Planning their own life / risks
- Independent Facilitation – to help the individual achieve their goals and make the community connections – not good for parents to do this.
- Consider physical, developmental and medical needs
- How do you get the information out to Parents – parent education
How can we help our loved ones pursue paid or volunteer employment opportunities?
- Person Directed Planning – to find interest, skill and strengths
- Money as an incentive to volunteer.
- Co-op placement outside of school or helping with programs at school.
- Volunteering: Volunteertoronto.ca, charityvillage.ca, local newspaper, looking for community events for persons to volunteer.
- Volunteering in an area of interest.
- Start with doing chores for family members or neighbours.
- Employment: JVS, Path to Work, Agencies that help volunteer – possible job placement, job coaching where needed, ODSP –job coach where appropriate.
How can we best prepare our loved ones for independent living, inside or outside the home?
- The use of technology to promote safety in the community. E.g. “life 360” app with GPS and panic button with programmed phones and emails in case of emergency
- Gradually increasing independence in the home through encouraging / involving in chores and daily living activities, e.g. cooking. Using various aids to help increase safety, e.g. butchers knife, safety burners on stove tops pioneering technology.
- Give responsibilities – to offer opportunities for people to gradually feel more independent.
- Safety plan in the home for emergency / disaster scenarios with clear instructions and visual aids /cues, e.g. what to do in case of fire, flood or black out.
- Talking to your loved one about the world “out there”, teaching him /her about other people – most are good, some are bad.
- Being realistic about limitations and also abilities. Being mindful of change – change is possible. Expectations can change too.