Off To The Autism Resources Miramichi AGM!

I am thrilled to be heading off shortly for Miramichi to attend the Annual General Meeting  of Autism Resources Miramichi Inc. at 139 Duke St. Starting at 12:00 noon.   ARM has been kind enough to offer me an opportunity to speak and provide an overview of the history of autism advocacy in New Brunswick over the past decade and to address our most pressing need .... adult autism care.  

Lila Barry of ARM is a former Autism Society New Brunswick president and was one of our most active and effective advocates for autism specific early intervention and school services and accommodation.  It will be great to see Lila and her family and other friends from the Miramichi.   I will head up early so that I can drive slowly and hopefully see some opportunities to take a few pictures along the way. 

If anyone from the area reads this blog I hope to see you at noon today!

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Dennis Debbaudt's Autism Risk And Safety Management Workshop Miramichi October 21, 2008

Tuesday October 21, 2008
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Rodd Miramichi River Hotel
1809 Water Street
Miramichi, New Brunswick, E1N 1B2
Tel: (506) 773-3111, Fax: (506) 773-3110
www.roddhotelsandresorts.com
Separate Parent’s Information Session
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Dr. Losier Middle School Theatre

Dennis, the proud father of Brad, a young man who has autism, wrote the ground-breaking booklet “Avoiding Unfortunate Situations” in 1994, the first-ever look at the interactions between children and adults with autism and law enforcement professionals. He has since written frequently on the topic including the book "Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders" and articles for the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin and Sheriff Magazine.

He consulted to ABC News 20/20 for the segment, “A Simple Man”, about autism and false confession, and was instrumental in the development of the state of Maryland's Police and Correctional Training Commissions 1999 curriculum "Why Law Enforcement Needs to Recognize Autism".

An author, video producer and law enforcement trainer, Dennis turned his attention to providing autism recognition response and risk management training to law enforcement and emergency first responders in 1991.

He presents to law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. His materials are in use by police departments around the world. A Detroit native, he now resides with his wife Gay and son Brad in South Florida. For more information about the presenter, please visit his website at: www.autismriskmanagement.com

What You Will Learn

• How to recognize the behavior symptoms and become informed on the contact approaches to minimize situations of risk, i.e., risk of victimization of the person with autism, and risk to the first responder.

• How to be prepared for an Autism Emergency.

• How to save valuable time and resources.

• How to avoid litigation.

Learn the strategies, techniques, tips and options that law enforcement agencies and first responders are increasingly using to recognize and respond well to children and adults with autism. These are invaluable during field situations.

Who Should Attend

• Law Enforcement – Police, RCMP

• Health Professionals

• Fire-Rescue

• Emergency Medical Services

• Paramedics – Ambulance

• Hospital ER

• Hospital Security

• 911 telecommunications specialists

• Crown and defense attorneys

• Judges and magistrates

• Juvenile and Criminal Justice professionals including Probation, Parole, and Correctional.

• Victim Witness Support

• All security agencies.

• Border, Air or Sea Port Security

• Hospitality industry security

• Non teaching campus employees - food prep, maintenance, transportation

COST

Professional: $50.00 (includes luncheon)
Separate Evening Session for Public and Family Members $10.00 (maximum per family)
A block of rooms have been reserved at the Rodd under the name of Dennis Debbaudt workshop, for the evening of October 20, 2008. (Gov. rate, $103.00).
Please register early as seating is limited.

REGISTRATION

To register please contact: Or mail completed registration form
to:

Debby MacGregor
Autism Resources Miramichi Inc.
Phone : (506) 622-8137
Fax : (506) 622-3240
email:arm@nb.aibn.com

**All registrations must be received By October 10, 2008 and may be paid
by cheque or cash only.

Or mail completed registration form
to:

Autism Resources Miramichi
561 King George Highway
Miramichi, NB
E1V 1N2

autism

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Autism Resources Miramichi Gets A Boost

Lila Barry accepts a cheque for $30,000 from MLA Bill Fraser. They
are joined by ARM board members Dianne Pineau and Linda Robichaud.
Photo and caption from Miramichi Leader Online Edition
© 2007 CanadaEast Interactive, Brunswick News Inc.

In Autism centre receives government funding the Miramichi Leader reports on a positive autism development in Miramichi, New Brunswick as Autism Resources Miramichi receives funding to get started. New Brunswick has seen its share of advocates of alternative non evidence based treatments for autism. Lila Barry, Dianne Pineau and Linda Robichaud at ARM will ensure that parents receive reliable information about evidence based interventions for their autistic children - and strong moral support through the tough times:

Barry and other parents of ASD children were at the office of Miramichi-Bay du Vin MLA Bill Fraser last Monday, Jan. 7 for the official funding presentation. She said the centre will especially help parents who are struggling to deal with affected children.

"As a parent you're actually trying to reach out to other parents. Parents often when they first get the diagnosis; they're always in a state of anxiety and overwhelmed with the diagnosis. They don't necessarily have anyone to turn to or don't know who to turn to once their child is diagnosed," she said.

Barry also said stress levels are very high for parents of ASD children and family separation and divorce often result. She said many parents are often desperate to get help for their children and turn to the wrong sources of information.

"It's difficult obtaining reliable, accurate information on best practices, treatment and research," she said. "So often there is some much out there on the Internet that is just garbage."

She said parents will often spend large amounts of time and money chasing worthless therapies and miracle treatments. She wants the centre to provide these parents with the right information needed to help.

autism

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