to the first edition of the POPARD
bi-annual Newsletter!

What's New at POPARD

Our Website

In September 2007, we launched an exciting new website layout and design. We would like to thank all the individuals who provided us with feedback. Anyone can do this by clicking on the “feedback” link on the bottom of our website.

Here are a few website developments based on your feedback:

• Autism eLearning Lesson Categories - users can now find the autism eLearning lesson categories listed conveniently along the left-hand column of our website. It doesn’t matter which POPARD webpage you are on, these links can always be accessed.
• Blog entries - users can review the latest blog entries titles under the Autism eLearning Lesson Categories on the left-hand column for quick reference. Also, for search ability reasons, when bloggers are entering a blog, they are given the opportunity to tag keywords with their entries. Now, when a user types in a keyword in the website’s search field, any blog entry tagged with the same keyword will also be listed.
• Convenient Driving directions – on our Contact Us and other applicable training course pages, users are now provided with a Google map to our Delta site location, which also has a function to type in where they are driving from and get instant driving directions.
• RSS feed – if users have signed up for a Google homepage, they can now add the POPARD website to receive the latest blog entries and eLearning lessons.
• Plus more…

Other website developments include more accessible eLearning lessons. Currently, we have over 40 autism-related eLearning lessons available for your viewing and there are more to come. Our top five newest eLearning lessons include:

• Why Combine Work Experiences with Career Training Programs? (Classroom Strategies)
• Introduction to Task Analysis (Applied Behaviour Analysis)
• ASD: Instructional Support Planning Process Tool (Individual Education Plans)
• Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) Part 1: Matching Tasks (Applied Behaviour Analysis)
• Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) Part 2: Turn-Taking (Applied Behaviour Analysis)

Our website is frequently changing with updates and functionality; continue to be apart of our development by sending us your thoughts through our “feedback” link. If you know of an autism-related event that you would like to share, feel free to submit the details to our blog.

Career Opportunity

CALLING ALL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS. If you have a Teacher's Certificate or an Advanced Degree in Psychology and are looking for a career opportunity that is both rewarding and flexible, consider becoming a POPARD Education and Behaviour Consultant or Psychologist. To learn more, click here.

2008-2009 POPARD Training

POPARD training dates in Delta, BC for the 2008 - 2009 school year are now available.  Go to the training section of our website to view course information and obtain registration forms.  Space is limited so register early to avoid disappointment.

Vancouver Island University, Parksville Campus is offering POPARD's 5 day Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) training course from August 5 - 9, 2008.  Register directly with VIU by phone:  Toll Free 1-866-734-6252.

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What's New in the BC Districts

Just some of the exciting projects going on in districts around the province!

District #83 North Okanagan

A Learning Resource program at Len Wood Middle School in Armstrong, BC has implemented a dog biscuit program.  Baking dog biscuits was introduced as a fund raiser for a field trip for the Learning Resource Program.  The local grocery stores have been selling the dog biscuits to assist the students with their fund raising project.  This project provides many opportunities for the development of functional skills, such as shopping and cooking.  Visual supports, such as shopping lists and picture recipe books, can assist ASD students to independently complete such activities.   Functional math skills, such as the use of a calculator and money, can be practiced during shopping, along with adding and graphing the amount of money collected.

Maple Ridge School District #42

The Student Services Department has been committed to providing sensory rooms in elementary schools in the district.  In consultation with the district OT team, schools have developed comprehensive sensory rooms using best practice materials that meet the sensory and motor needs of students with special needs.  Sensory integration and motor coordination activities are an integral component of students’ daily programs.  Empty classrooms, small storage areas or multipurpose rooms have been used for this purpose.  Materials from Ikea, specialty catalogues or supply companies have been used to provide great sensory experiences that greatly benefit the students in Maple Ridge.

Quesnel School District # 28

Quesnel has created a Board/Authority Authorized social skills course at the secondary level. The course is called Principles of Social Interaction (PSI) and is designed to meet the social needs of students with ASD. Students in grades 8 through 12 can take the course for 4 credits, allowing access even for those students pursuing a Dogwood. The course runs both semesters accommodating two sections of multi-aged groupings each year. PSI has been running since 2005 and the curricula and content continue to evolve.

Greater Victoria School District #61

Inspired in part by Quesnel’s district partner presentation, Victoria is putting together a Board/Authority Authorized social thinking course. The multi-year course is intended for high school students who have social difficulties.  Work is going well and the team is looking forward to using materials of Michelle Winner and Scott Bellini.  The course will also have a anti-bullying component.

Chilliwack School District #33

Chilliwack adopted the Mandt System® because of a few students with ASD who presented significant behavioural challenges, but with whom, due to trauma and sensory dysfunction, other approaches had been more punitive than helpful.  Chilliwack wanted to provide a higher level of training to staff working with challenging students.  The Mandt System® is a values-based program focuses on building healthy relationships among staff and between staff and students.  Its primary focus is on communication, conflict resolution skills, and preventative strategies. Physical restraint is used only if other options have been exhausted. 

The Mandt System® is a program used widely in the United States in educational settings and had its beginnings in community support programs in Canada.  While it is still relatively new to Canadian schools, its popularity is beginning to grow.  The Mandt System® is different from other restraint programs because it was developed for people with disabilities, not just for those with behaviour challenges.  For children with ASD and sensory dysfunction it is particularly beneficial because there are no off-balance, leaning forward, or pain inducing techniques. The chapters on trauma informed care and medical risks provide more awareness of the impact that restraint can have.

Video Conference: Developing Behaviour Emergency Plans and Linking them with Positive Behaviour Supports (Featuring Risk Assessment by Laurie Smith)
Presentors: Kelly MacGregor & Laurie Smith

On February 22, POPARD hosted a videoconferencing workshop on developing behavioural emergency plans and linking them with positive behaviour support. This event was co-hosted by Burnaby School District in their "Centre for Dialogue" videoconferencing facility in Byrne Creek Secondary School. The videoconferencing technology was expertly managed by Mr. Albert Lee. Ms. Kelly MacGregor, (BCBA), a POPARD consultant, presented the following topics: approaches to behavioural emergency planning and best practice research linking it with positive behaviour support; Colvin's Stress or Arousal Cycle; and behavioural emergency and positive behaviour support plan templates. Ms. Laurie Smith, guest presenter and District Principal of Student Support Services for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, with a special interest and expertise in Worksafe policy and safety plans, discussed district processes that work within the Worksafe BC framework.

Participating Districts were:
Video Conference: Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Quesnel, Terrace, Fort St. John

Webcast: Revelstoke

Feedback:
"It's good that people don't have to travel to access the information"
"Very well put together, clear and concise."
"Progressive/cost effective/great to be able to share info with colleagues from around BC."
"It was great to have this opportunity to attend this workshop which would not have been possible if not for the Video Conferencing."
"It was really really nice to have the opportunity to access this presentation as a group (our local group) and then being able to share with other sites."
"It is great for districts in rural and northern areas to be able to access such opportunities."

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Table of Contents

POPARD Services

POPARD Training

Autism Resources