Elementary and Secondary Education - Supports and Services

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt to, and succeed in the school system. This page offers an overview of available educational supports in Alberta for students with ASD, along with how funding is offered through the school system.

Alberta’s Education Act establishes specific obligations for school boards as they relate to students who may be in need of specialized supports and services. School boards must provide a continuum of supports and services for students consistent with the principles of inclusive education.

Funding for K-12 education in Alberta is provided by the province’s Ministry of Education – known as ‘Alberta Education’ – primarily on a per student basis. Much like other provinces, the framework allocates funding to school authorities based on the location of the school authority and its schools and local population characteristics.

Schools are provided with a base amount per student, and additional funding is offered to schools for unique characteristics of their students, such as the number of English as a second language learners, the socio-economic status of the local population, or geographic location (i.e. Northern Allowance).

These ‘additional funding’ amounts are called grants, and there are 15 different ones, including the Specialized Learning Support Grant which is for students with special needs.

 

Specialized Learning Support Grant

• The Specialized Learning Support (SLS) Grant for K-12 students recognizes that every student is unique and develops foundational competencies differently.
• This grant supports school boards in the provision of a continuum of supports and services to meet the learning needs of students within an inclusive learning environment.
• This grant is made up three allocations:
  • Multi-Disciplinary Team: to support multi-disciplinary practice between teachers, educational assistants and other professionals in support of inclusive education.
  • Jurisdiction Composition: to address inclusive learning needs that may vary between school jurisdictions.
  • Mental Health Program: to support capacity in school authorities to offer mental health programming to improve educational outcomes of all students.
• The SLS Grant includes funding for kindergarten students.
• The allocation formulas are complicated and change regularly (often annually). The Interim Funding Manual (current as of March 2022), with detailed formulas, can be found here and here.

 

Individualized Program Plan/Instructional Support Plan

In Alberta, every student identified with special education needs must have an individualized program plan (IPP) and/or an instructional support plan (ISP). A school’s principal will assign a teacher to coordinate, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate student IPPs/ISPs. The teacher involves parents and, when appropriate, other teachers and students in the IPP/ISP development process.

Alberta Education mandates the curriculums to be provided across school districts in the province. There are eight essential components for the education of students with ASD that are mandated by Alberta Education.

While Alberta Education mandates the inclusion of these eight components – which are outlined below – an important guiding principle is that students with ASD require programs that take into account their unique strengths, interests, developmental needs, personality and learning style.

As a result, the approach taken by the school will vary significantly from student to student, within these eight components.

 

8 Essential Components of Educational Programming for Students with ASD in Alberta

1.     Meaningful Parent and Family Involvement

This component reaffirms a parent’s right to be involved, in a meaningful way, in their child’s education. Teachers and other members of a child’s ‘learning team’ will engage in ongoing, frequent communication with parents, offering them opportunities to contribute to program planning, development, implementation, and assessment.

2.     Learning Team

This component directs schools to put together ‘learning teams’ who work together to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate programming and services for individual students.

The learning team includes the teacher, parent and administrator, and may also include the student, educational assistants, multidisciplinary consultants and other individuals with expertise in ASD. Opportunities are provided for regularly scheduled meetings and frequent communication among home, school and other supports.

3.     Assessment

Assessment is a key component of education programming for all students – but particularly those with unique needs, such as students with ASD. Assessments should identify a student’s strengths and needs, and they should result in the identification of educationally relevant goals, objectives and implementation strategies.

4.     Coordinated Specialized Support Services

Appropriate programming for students with ASD provides access to support services as required. School jurisdictions coordinate available services to provide a comprehensive educational program.

Support services – like behaviour management, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology – are encouraged, depending on the needs of the student and the availability of local resources. 

5.     Individualized Program Plan (IPP)

As noted above, an IPP is required for each student coded for special education needs. The IPP includes essential information for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the student’s educational program. IPPs are working documents for learning teams to use throughout the year.

6.     Knowledgeable Staff

Educational programming and services are designed around the assessed strengths and needs of the student with ASD. To provide appropriate programming, teaching staff require access to professional development and specialists in the delivery of educational programming for students with ASD in school settings.

7.     ASD - Focused Educational Programming

Educational programming for students with ASD should include the following:

1. Meaningful Social Inclusion – Depending on the student, this can vary from full participation in all classroom activities to the targeting of specific activities.
2. Comprehensive Curriculum and Appropriate Instructional Strategies.

8.     Planning for Transition

Transition planning is an ongoing process that requires the learning team to plan for immediate (day-to-day), intermediate (year-to-year) and long-term transitions (elementary to junior high, junior high to high school, high school to post-school placement). Flexible transition plans should be developed at the beginning of the school year and included on the student’s IPP.

 

Home Education

In Alberta, home education programs are available for parents or guardians to make all education decisions for a student in Grades 1 to 12. Parents or guardians choose curriculum resources and methodology consistent with their beliefs and consistent with the Home Education Regulation.

Two home education programs are available for parents or guardians to choose from:

• Supervised by school authority (funded)
  • A home education program supervised by a public, separate or francophone school board or accredited funded private school. Eligible for funding from Alberta Education.
• Not supervised by school authority (notification only, non-funded)
  • A home education program not supervised by a school board or accredited funded private school. Not eligible for funding from Alberta Education.

 

Private Schooling

Modified programming designed for students with special education needs is available in Alberta private schools to enable and enhance learning. The programming and services are provided by certificated staff, and an IPP is developed to address the student’s special education needs.

 

Online Learning

Online learning is a structured learning program that facilitates personalized learning and provides a flexible option where students can engage with Alberta certified teachers in one or more online courses. Families are encouraged to discuss with their school about available options most suitable to them.

 

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt to, and succeed in the public school system. This page offers an overview of educational supports in British Columbia for students with ASD, along with how funding is offered through the school system.

The provincial government in British Columbia has committed to the following policy statement:

All students with special needs should have equitable access to learning opportunities for achievement, and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of their educational programs.

The BC Ministry of Education provides schools with supplemental funding for each student with special needs. These funding amounts change yearly (see link for updated data).

There are a variety of educational settings available in school districts in British Columbia. Each school district will have a different educational philosophy, size, and pool of available resources, meaning choices will vary considerably across the province. The following are common classroom types seen in British Columbia:

 

Public System:

Integrated Classroom:

• Students with ASD are placed in a “typical” classroom with their peers, and they are provided with the appropriate supports to be educated in this environment.
• This is typically the first option considered for students with special needs, including ASD. In fact, the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Policy states that:
  • A Board of Education must provide a student who has special needs with an educational program in a classroom where the student is integrated with other students who do not have special needs, unless the educational needs of the student with special needs or other students indicate that the educational program for the student with special needs should be provided otherwise.

 

Resource Room:

• A Resource Room is a classroom within a neighborhood school that is specifically designed for students with special needs.
• Some schools will offer resource rooms as full-time classrooms for children with ASD, whereas other schools will have them as part-time options for students in integrated classrooms (above).

 

Online Learning:

• Online learning (formally known as Distributed Learning) is a classroom alternative that enables students the flexibility to learn from home that meets provincial education standards. Online Learning occurs when you take a program or course online via web and teleconferencing.
• A certified teacher is responsible for the delivery and supervision of the educational program, although a parent may be a facilitator.
• You can find out more information about B.C.’s Online Learning program here.

 

Homeschooling:

• Homeschooling is an alternative method of teaching offered outside B.C.’s educational system.
• Typically, a family member delivers the entire educational program to children at home. Homeschooling programs are not supervised by a B.C.-certified teacher, required to meet provincial standards, or inspected by the Ministry of Education.
• You can find out more information about B.C.’s homeschool program here.

 

Independent or Private School:

• Operations of independent and private schools are governed by the Independent School Act.
• These schools are funded in various ways, in part by the Ministry of Education, but typically mainly based on tuition fees paid by parents.
• Independent and private schools offer similar classroom settings to those offered in the public system (integrated, distributed, resource room, etc.)
• There are a number of private schools across the province that are specifically designed for students with developmental disabilities (like ASD), but they have tuition fees for entrance.

 

Individualized Education Plan

An Individualized Education Plan – commonly known in B.C. as an ‘IEP’ – is a documented plan developed for a student with special needs, including ASD/ID, that describes the individualized goals, adaptations, modifications and unique services required by a particular student to succeed in the education system. IEPs also include measures for tracking achievement.

IEPs are not legal documents. They are instead a tool used to support effective planning for a student with special needs, so they and their loved ones can ensure positive delivery of an educational program.

A student’s IEP will take their individual needs and goals into account. The BC Ministry of Education states that the IEP of a student with ASD will typically address:

• Socially adaptive behaviours and social responsiveness;
• Motor development;
• Communicative competence; and
• Academic performance.

IEPs will also identify additional services that a student requires which are beyond the regular program provided by the school. This may include provision of social skills instruction and coaching, language therapy, counselling, or behavioural coaching. School personnel are instructed to work cooperatively with other agency staff or service providers to create an environment that is as integrated as possible.

Procedures and timelines for reviewing intended instructional outcomes should be clearly noted in each student's IEP. The IEP must be reviewed at least once a year.

 

What is a parent’s role in the IEP process?

Many parents will anecdotally note that their involvement with their child’s IEP development process has consisted of being handed a completed plan by the teacher responsible. However, ideally, parents are working collaboratively alongside school personnel to develop an IEP that properly addresses the student’s needs.

While the student’s ‘case manager’ – a teacher, but not always the student’s classroom teacher – develops and implements the IEP, the school principal ultimately bears the responsibility for the IEP’s implementation.

Parents always have a right to be consulted in the plan’s development. In fact, the Ministry of Educations Special Education policy states that “A Board of Education must offer the parent of the student, and where appropriate, the student the opportunity to be consulted about the student’s educational program, when requested to do so.”

As noted above, the parties involved in the IEP development process differ from situation to situation. Often times the administrator in charge will invite a child’s entire ‘school-based team’ to participate in the process.

This team, according to the BC Ministry of Education, can consist of the following people:

• Classroom teacher(s)
• School administrator
• Parents or legal guardians
• The student (discretionary)
• Other school-based personnel (i.e. teacher/education assistant)
• District support staff
• Outside personnel (therapists, consultants, etc.)

The inclusion of outside personnel, such as behaviour consultants or therapists, has been growing more and more in recent years. Parents often find this incredibly important, especially when such an individual is running a child’s home-based program.

 

Resources

Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD)

POPARD is a Ministry of Education service that provides consultation, training and support services to all public and independent schools across BC, with a primary focus on increasing the capacity of school district staff to support students with ASD. 

The POPARD team will provide leadership in collaboration with educators who request support for children/youth with ASD. Collaboration will promote meaningful consultation with parents and community teams. POPARD will promote a wide range of evidence-based practice approaches that will facilitate inclusive educational programs in the least restrictive environment.

 

 

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt to, and succeed in the public school system. This page offers an overview of all available educational supports in Manitoba for students with ASD, along with how funding is offered through the school system.

Manitoba’s Public Schools Act confirms that all students in the province are entitled to receive educational programming that fosters their participation in both the academic and social life of their school.

Funding and support for students with ASD in the public school system are administered through Manitoba’s Ministry of Education – known as ‘Manitoba Education’ –  and through a unit called Student Services.

 

Student Services Unit: 

Student Services are the staff and services provided by school divisions, community partners and agencies, Manitoba Education and the partner departments to meet the needs of students who have exceptional learning, social/emotional, behavioural, sensory, physical, cognitive/intellectual, communication, academic or special health-care needs, including ASD.

Each school division in Manitoba has a Student Services Administrator who coordinates the delivery of services and supports for students with special learning needs.

 

Funding for Special Education:

Much like other provinces, every school division is unique in how a continuum of supports is provided for students with ASD.

Each division is provided with funding from Manitoba Education, which publishes specific grant amounts every year in the Funding of Schools Booklet. There are base support grants, and then categorical grants on top of this which are provided to school divisions to support students with unique needs.

Schools supporting students with ASD are given extra grant funding to provide adequate resources and support. These amounts are different based on a students’ specific diagnosis. This process – including identifying those students that need extra support and filling out the associated funding paperwork – is handled by staff in a students’ school along with their Student Services Administrator (SSA).

Grants provided to school divisions to help reimburse costs when students with severe to profound ASD meet established funding criteria are called Level 2 and 3 Grants.

 

Level 2 Support – $9,500 per student

Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder - Level 2 support is provided directly to the school division to support a student who has a diagnosis of an ASD that is expressed in significant difficulties with social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and a narrow preoccupation with a fixed range of interests and activities. Secondarily, the student may have a significant cognitive disability or delays in adaptive skill development resulting in the need for assistance with activities of daily living during the school day. The student also demonstrates persistent patterns of behaviour that interfere with their ability to learn. The student requires student-specific programming, such as adaptation and/or modification beyond the usual education programming provided for students with moderate special needs for a major portion of the school day.

 

Level 3 Support - $21,130 per student

Severe to Profound Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD3): The student has a diagnosis of ASD that is expressed in severe and pervasive difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and a narrow range of interests, activities, and behaviours. In addition, the student has a significant cognitive disability with corresponding delays in adaptive skill development. Secondarily, the student may also experience severe difficulty with managing change in daily routines and activities, severe reactions to sensory stimuli, and a persistent pattern of behaviours that are dangerous to self or others. The student requires student-specific programming (e.g. adaptation and/or modification or individualized programming) and intensive support throughout the school day.

 

Team-based Support:

In Manitoba schools, programming for students with ASD is done by a school-based support team. The Student Services Unit offers consultative support to these school teams who develop programming for students with ASD. Services may include student-specific recommendations and assistance with determining priority learning needs.

School-based student support teams vary in size and composition based on the needs of individual students. Teams may include:

• a principal and/or vice principal,
• resource teacher(s),
• counsellor(s),
• classroom teacher(s),
• parent(s),
• school clinician(s), and
• ·others who have responsibility for students with special learning needs.

The student may also participate as a member of the team, as appropriate. The school student support team plans and monitors the development and implementation of an individual education plan (IEP), which can involve one or many aspects of the student's school life.

The school-based support team will conduct ‘student-specific planning’ and develop an IEP for each student with ASD in their school.

 

Student-specific Planning

Student-specific planning is the process through which members of student support teams, including educators and parents, collaborate to meet the unique needs of individual students.

The purpose of student-specific planning is to help students attain the skills and knowledge that are the next logical step beyond their current levels of performance. Through the student-specific planning process the student support team works to identify a student's unique learning needs and to determine, implement, and evaluate appropriate educational interventions.

These interventions may range from short-term strategies applied in the classroom to comprehensive, individualized programming. The student-specific planning process is sufficiently broad-based to address, in a systematic way, a wide range of exceptional learning needs.

 

Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Individual education plans (IEPs) document the student-specific planning process.

IEPs are not legal documents; they function as planning, record-keeping, and communication tools. While school divisions may use different terms and acronyms to describe student-specific planning processes and written plans, IEP is a global term referring to a written document developed and implemented by a team, outlining a plan to address the unique learning needs of students.

Because a wide range of students with very different strengths and needs can be served through student-specific planning, each resulting IEP is specific to the student for whom it is designed. The format, length, and content of the IEP will reflect the needs of the student.

IEPs for students who require adaptations within regular programming can often be completed in one or two pages. A smaller number of students with more involved needs will require more detailed and comprehensive IEPs.

You can find Manitoba Education’s Handbook for Developing and Implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) here.

 

Homeschooling

Homeschooling in Manitoba is available to parents or guardians. Parents or guardians must commit to all planning and preparation, including obtaining necessary resources and materials. Provincial funding is not available to families who choose to homeschool.

 

Distance Learning

Distance learning in Manitoba responds to the unique needs of students and schools to support flexibility and increase educational opportunities for learners. Manitoba offers distance learning options for grades 9 to 12 as a method of accessing courses of study even when learners and instructors are in different physical locations.

 

Independent Schools

Independent schools in Manitoba include Funded Independent Schools and Non-Funded Independent Schools. Funded Independent Schools must meet all provincial requirements, including implementing provincially mandated curriculum and hiring Manitoba certified teachers. Non-Funded Independent Schools are not required to meet these criteria.

• Funded Independent Schools may receive funding for students with special needs and have access to clinician support.
• Non-Funded Independent Schools may apply for financial support per student through the Curricular Materials Grant.

 

 

School-aged children with (ASD) often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. This page provides an overview of available educational supports in New Brunswick for students with ASD and their parents.

 

ASD & Behavioural Interventions

Online training modules on ASD and Behavioural Interventions initially designed for school professionals are being offered by the Government of New Brunswick to parents of school-aged children with ASD.

The core-concept modules provide parents with an initial training about the characteristics of ASD, the base of evidence, and theoretical interventions that support behavioural interventions and their implementation.

The modules give parents tools to better understand and participate in the school’s intervention, and equip them to continue to use these strategies in the home and community settings outside of school hours. These resources are aimed to positively impact children’s outcomes and their capacity to generalize skill acquisition.

Contact information on the Autism Learning Partnership can be found here.

 

Homeschooling

In New Brunswick, parents or guardians may home school their child, if “effective instruction” is provided. The New Brunswick Department of Education publishes curriculum documents, which parents or guardians can access. Parents or guardians can access provincial assessment programs to evaluate and record their child’s development. Please contact your local school district for more information.

 

Distance Learning

New Brunswick provides distance learning opportunities through the New Brunswick Virtual Learning Centre (NBVLC). The NBVLC is currently offering online courses to high school students in the province, see e-Learning Strategy for Public Schools.

 

Autism Learning Partnership

The Autism Learning Partnership, a branch of the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD), provides bilingual (French and English) evidence-based courses and resources based upon principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). These resources aim to teach behaviour by changing the environment so that a person can thrive in their family, social, school, and community life. The team, who oversees the development, implementation and management of the training program, is divided in three sections:

The Learning Specialists Team consists of a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, teachers and behaviour analysts. The team is responsible for managing the development, content design, revisions, coordination and facilitation of the online training. The team is also responsible for providing a range of online training and development workshops, as well as field coaching. Feedback from participants is frequently collected, which allows improvements in content and processes before offering external training.

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. This page provides an overview of all available educational supports in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) for students with ASD, as well as parents of students with ASD.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is responsible for early childhood learning and development in the province. Funding and support for students in the public school system with ASD is administered through the Department.

The NL English School District follows an inclusive education philosophy, which is intended to enhance the development of value, respect and support for the learning and development of all students, as well as the relationships among all members of the school community.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development defines inclusive education as a philosophy that promotes:

• the right of all students to attend school with their peers, and to receive appropriate and quality programming,
• a range of supports and services in the most appropriate setting (large group, small group, individualized),
• a welcoming school culture where all members of the school community feel they belong, achieve their potential, and contribute to the life of the school,
• an atmosphere which respects and values the participation of all members of the school community,
• a school community which celebrates diversity, and
• a safe and caring school environment.

Inclusive education does not refer to a specific classroom or placement setting within each school. That is a decision of a program planning team and the Administrator. Placement decisions, made by the program planning team, are based on the programming needs of the child. For some learning outcomes, a student’s optimal learning environment may be in the regular classroom; for others, the student may require an alternate setting. Decisions related to the placement of a student are determined to be best made on an individual basis.

These tenets apply to all members of the school community regardless of economic status, gender, sexual orientation, racial or religious background, academic ability or other facet of diversity.

Please refer to the province’s  Inclusive Education Pamphlet for further information.

 

Exceptionalities

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development uses the term exceptionality to identify patterns of strengths and needs common to groups of students. These strengths and needs may be: cognitive, emotional, behavioural, medical, social, and physical.

Students diagnosed with ASD will meet the exceptionality Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (please refer to Exceptionalities for further information).

A student with an exceptionality may require student support services to meet their learning potential. A student with an exceptionality may access a range of school-based services depending on their strengths and needs. These services are provided through the Service Delivery Team at the school.

Please refer to Important Information if Your Child has an Exceptionality, and Handbook for Parents of Children with Exceptionalities for further information.

 

Comprehensive Assessment

A letter of diagnosis and, in most cases, a comprehensive (educational) assessment are required to inform program planning team decisions. These decisions may include the implementation of accommodations, modified prescribed programming, and/or an alternate program, course or curriculum.

In the case where an exceptionality is identified by a medical professional, the programming needs of the student will be determined by the program planning team after the comprehensive assessment has been completed. (Consultation with medical specialists is important in determining the student’s strengths and needs; however, specialists outside of the program planning team do not determine a student’s educational plan.)

Comprehensive assessments which do not require the use of psycho-educational tools can be processed more quickly, enabling the program planning team to make programming decisions in a timely manner. A comprehensive assessment report summarizing the process and the findings of the assessment will be completed to inform programming decisions.

Please refer to Comprehensive Assessment Information for further information.

 

Programming Options

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development offers a continuum of supports and services. As such, a program planning team will determine appropriate programming and required services to meet a child’s individual needs. A student’s individual program may include one or more of these programming options:

• Accommodations
• Modified Prescribed Course
• Alternate Program
• Alternate Course
• Alternate (Functional) Curriculum

 

Program Planning Team

A program planning team may be initiated for a student with one or more exceptionalities. Parent/guardian involvement is a critical component of the program planning process. As such, parents/guardians are part of the program planning team along with classroom/subject teachers. If the student is developmentally and emotionally ready, he or she should also be invited to participate as a team member.

Other members may include the following:

• Administrator
• School Guidance Counselor
• Educational Psychologist/Itinerant Assessor/Educational Assessment Specialist
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Instructional Resource Teacher
• Other education professionals (such as Itinerants for Vision or Hearing Loss, etc.), as required.

 

Individual Service Support Plan (ISSP)

A document that records and tracks the supports and services provided to a student by team members including those from agencies outside the school system (ie: Eastern Health, Child Youth and Family Services, private therapists, etc.). The IEP is included in the ISSP.

 

Behaviour Management Plan (BMP)

A written plan is designed for students requiring tertiary intervention. It is developed based on data collected as part of a Functional Behavioural Assessment (FBA). Please refer to Behaviour Management Plan for more information.

 

KinderStart

KinderStart is a school transition program offered in the year prior to Kindergarten entry.

The program consists of five to ten one-hour orientation sessions organized and promoted at the school level for children and their parents/caregivers. The sessions support children’s adjustment to the school environment, and provide parents/caregivers with information on how to support their child’s learning at home. During the first KinderStart session, children and their parents/caregivers are provided with a bag of learning resources and suggestions for home activities.

Registration for KinderStart is automatic when parents/caregivers register their child for Kindergarten at their designated school. Registration takes place in the calendar year a child becomes four years of age. Parents/caregivers should check their local newspapers and school newsletters for more details regarding Kindergarten registration in their area.

Parents who have questions regarding KinderStart registration should contact their school district. School principals notify parents/caregivers of the times of all KinderStart sessions in the fall of the given school year. A parent/caregiver session is held to provide a program overview and help parents prepare for their child’s first school year.

 

Transition Process

The transition process is an ongoing process of preparing for and adapting to change. It may involve changes to relationships, roles, expectations, environments and/or routines. Transition planning helps:

• ensure required supports and programming are in place in the new environment
• students develop and realize both short-term and long-term goals
• students engage in action oriented planning
• students prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

 

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is permitted by the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) when approved by the Director of Education. Parents who educate their child in a home environment must use provincially authorized curriculum or another recognized curriculum. Resources are available for parents if the homeschooling program is the provincially authorized curriculum. For more information, please contact your local school district.

 

Distance Learning

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development delivers distance education through the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI). CDLI focuses on the oversight of technology integration for K-12 students, develops and delivers online teacher professional development and distance education programming for senior high school students.

 

Private Schools

Newfoundland and Labrador has four private schools. For more information, please contact the school directly. 

 

 

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. This page provides an overview of available educational supports in the Northwest Territories (NWT) for students with ASD.  

NWTs’ Education Act states that every student is entitled to have access to the education program in a regular instructional setting in a school in the community in which they live, and that an education body shall provide the support services needed to ensure that students have access to the education program.

In 2016, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment released a directive on inclusive education which directed education bodies with the following statement:

In accordance with this directive, education bodies must welcome students within a common learning environment in the community in which the student resides and provide support through School-Based Support Teams to enable teachers to meet the diverse needs of students, including those who experience significant barriers to learning.

NWTs’ education mandate is carried out by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE).

 

Individualized Education Program/Plan:

An individualized Education Program is a student-specific program outlined in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This plan is a comprehensive written education plan with annual student outcomes and shorter-term objectives, determined through a collaborative process, driven by the strengths and needs of the student. It may or may not include learning outcomes articulated in NWT curricula.

A student with an IEP usually requires supports, accommodations, facilities, resources and/or equipment required beyond those required by his/her peers.

It is the responsibility of education bodies to support the development, implementation and monitoring of a student’s IEP, and principals are directed to:

Ensure that the identification of student strengths and challenges includes such things as information on interests and aspirations, readiness to learn, learning preferences, and other relevant factors.

Ensure parents and students, when appropriate, have the opportunity for meaningful involvement in planning, problem solving and decision-making related to a student’s learning goals and instructional strategies and necessary supports to achieve them.

 

School-based Support Team (SBST):

A team, co-led by the school administrator and Program Support Teacher(s), provides support to classroom teachers with instructional issues, strategy development and problem-solving. The team coordinates the utilization of school personnel and other resources to support teachers and students. The school-based team may seek the assistance of other professionals or community supports, as appropriate.

The membership of the SBST can include:

• School Principal and/or Vice Principal
• Program Support Teacher(s)
• School-based staff including Counsellors, Guidance Staff and others;
• Classroom Teachers
• Support Assistants
• Parents
• Superintendent
• Regional Inclusive Schooling Coordinator
• Members of the Inclusive Schooling Territorial Support team

Membership of a student’s SBST will vary depending on the size of the school and the number of staff members.

 

Specialized Staff:

Education bodies receive conditional funding for the following types of Specialized Inclusive Schooling Staff. Education Bodies are responsible for implementation and management of these staff.

 

Program Support Teacher (PST)

The PST is an experienced and skilled teacher who provides direct collaborative support to classroom teachers as they develop and use instructional strategies to meet the needs of students.

Specifically, PSTs:

• Focus on developing and supporting the implementation of instructional strategies; problem-solving; coaching; mentoring; co-teaching; and modelling promising practices.
• Support classroom teachers.
• Work with the school principal to operate the SBST.
• Provide school-based information and data to the Regional Inclusive Schooling Coordinator as required.

 

Support Assistant (SA)

Support Assistants (SAs) work in the school to support teachers in meeting the needs of students.

Specifically, SAs:

• Are assigned to support the teacher by the principal/School-based Support Team to meet identified student needs, as described in the IEP.
• Work collaboratively with the classroom teacher to implement the IEP.

Some schools have additional staff members who play a role in supporting instruction. Their roles vary and depend on the mandate provided by the funding that makes the position possible. Some of the positions found in schools in the NWT include the following:

• Counsellor
• Art Therapist
• Literacy Support Teachers/Coaches
• Numeracy Support Teachers/Coaches
• Other support staff.

These staff members provide support to the teacher or the student using appropriate strategies as a member of the SBST.

 

Regional Inclusive Schooling Coordinator (RISC)

Regional Inclusive Schooling Coordinators (RISCs) provide administrative and programming leadership at the regional level to support inclusive school-based staff (Program Support Teachers and Support Assistants) and classroom teachers in meeting the needs of students.

Specifically, the RISC:

• Works closely with the superintendent and/or comptroller to ensure the funding provided for inclusive schooling is effectively used and consistent with the Directive and associated guidelines established by the Department of Education (ECE).
• Liaises and collaborates with staff at ECE and with other RISCs to build a strong network to develop and support inclusive schooling practices in NWT, with a specific focus on professional learning and capacity building initiatives.
• Work directly with school principals and PSTs to ensure that school staff are aware of, and use, effective inclusive schooling practices that support students.
• Ensure that required program reporting is completed on time and submitted to the Superintendent.

 

Other Integrated Supports

The Department of Education also offers integrated supports with NWTs’ Health and Social Services systems.

Some professionals may be involved with schools on a systemic basis and others on a case-by-case basis. ECE is committed to working with the Department of Health and Social Services to facilitate integration of education, health and social services delivery to support student success in the classroom.

This can include:

• Audiology
• Mental Health Counselling
• Occupational Therapy
• Physician Specialists (Paediatrics, Psychiatry)
• Physiotherapy
• Primary Care Medical Services (physician, nurse practitioner or community health nurse)
• Social Work
• Speech-Language Pathology

For more information on inclusive education in NWT, read the Guidelines for Inclusive Schooling: Supporting the NWT Ministerial Directive on Inclusive Schooling (2016) here.

 

Home Schooling

Homeschooling is available to parents where parents have the primary responsibility for their child’s education. Parents must register with a local school district and be monitored by the principal or Superintendent designate to support to the homeschooling program and ensure the homeschooled student has access to an education program. For more information, please contact your local school district.

 

Distance Learning

The Northern Distance Learning program is available to students in small community schools to engage with a teacher and students in the North, providing opportunities to take courses that may not be offered at your local school. The Northern Distance Learning program is often combined with regular high school classes, providing students with a blended education approach.

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. This page provides an overview of educational supports in Nova Scotia for students with ASD, as well as parents of students with ASD.

 

Inclusive Education Policy

In March 2018, the Government of Nova Scotia accepted the vision and promise of the Commission for Inclusive Education’s report: Students First: Inclusive Education that Supports Teaching, Learning, and the Success of all Nova Scotia Students.

In August 2019, the Province of Nova Scotia announced its first Inclusive Education Policy to support students. The policy applies to all Regional Centres for Education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. It provides guidelines on education and student supports, and describes what all partners in education will be working toward.

According to the policy document, guiding principle 4.2 of the policy reads “every student, including those with special needs, should receive full-day instruction every day, with flexibility based on the student’s individual strengths and challenges.”

Inclusive supports and programs, as identified in the Inclusive Education Policy for students with ASD (dated 2019/20), were indicated to include:

• Autism Teacher Specialists who will work with students with ASD and other developmental disorders. The teachers will work with classroom teachers, resources teachers, and speech language pathologists to develop, implement and evaluate programming for students.
• Resource Teachers, who will work with classroom teachers to develop, implement and evaluate programing for students who require additional support.
• Teachers and Support Staff, who will support two Alternative Education Program sites. Alternative Education Programs are innovative plans that engage and teach students in ways that meet their unique needs. They are for students who, for various reasons, require different, perhaps non-traditional, programming to help them be successful.
• In partnership with Autism Nova Scotia, an Autism Training program is training Education Assistants.

Nova Scotia’s policy on inclusive education has been in place since 2020. Updated information can be found here.

 

Current initiatives - Nova Scotia

Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research (STAR)

Programming is individualized to address the needs of students with ASD. Some specialized programming for students at elementary school includes STAR (Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research).

 

Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS)

Programming is individualized to address the needs of students with ASD. Some specialized programming offered at junior and senior high school includes PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills), a social skills program for older students with ASD.

 

School Transitions

Children with ASD receive support to transition into and out of the public-school system. School teams collaborate with families and preschool service providers to develop transition plans into school. Transition planning is also conducted to support students graduating from high school to develop a plan to take the next step in their lives.

 

Public school and transition supports

Children in the public-school system have access to ASD specialists, school psychologists, speech language pathologists, classroom/ resource/learning centre teachers, teacher assistants, student services coordinators and/or facilitators. School program planning teams develop and implement programs and services. An annual grant to school boards supports staff education in ASD.

The APSEA Autism in Education Partnership website offers research, and information to educators, families, and other service providers.

In addition to support provided within public schools, children with ASD receive support to transition into and out of the public school system.

 

Tuition support

The Tuition Support Program (TSP) gives eligible students an option to access specialized programming and services at one of three designated special education private schools. In 2022-23, students may receive up to a maximum of $9,900. Families may be eligible to apply for supplemental funding based on their income.

The TSP is available to students for three years, with a potential fourth additional year available, in cases where transition outcomes have been identified through the program planning process.

The TSP addresses the specific needs of students who have been diagnosed with one of the following disorders or disabilities:

• Learning Disability (as defined by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, 2002)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• ASD

For more details on the application process, please visit the Tuition Support NS site.

 

Homeschooling

The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development offers families the option to homeschool their child. Parents have access to resources, such as curriculum guides and possible eligibility for speech-language services; however, there is no funding for homeschooling.

 

Supported Online Study

Nova Scotia offers distance learning through the Supported Online Study, allowing students to complete a course at their own pace. The Supported Online Study is supported by Nova Scotia Public Schools, with certified Nova Scotia teachers marking course work – based on the Public Schools Program curriculum and resources from the Authorized Learning Resources list.

 

Private Schools

In Nova Scotia, private schools offer a comparable curriculum to public schools, but are not funded by the government. Nova Scotia also has Designated Special Education Private Schools (DESPS) available specialized in programming and services for students with special needs. For DESPS, the Tuition Support Program may partially cover tuition costs.

 

 

Nunavut’s Education Act (2008) stated that special needs students are entitled to have their education program adjusted to access the support they need to meet their learning needs.

The Government of Nunavut made a series of changes to the Education Act (2008). Bill 25 was tabled to amend the Education Act 2008 and the Inuit Language Protection Act 2008. It was first introduced in Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly in June 2019.

The Bill received assent on November 10, 2020, becoming the Education Act 2020. More information  can be found here and here.

 

 Education Act 2020

A classroom teacher is responsible for identifying students with special needs, and providing the supports they need or, in some cases, requesting further support from the school team.

Teachers are required to deliver differentiated instruction, meaning that they must adapt what is learned, how it is learned, or how learning is assessed, to meet each student’s needs. This applies for students with ASD or intellectual disability.

This is process is overseen by the District Education Authority (DEA), a locally-elected body made up of community members who are interested in education. DEAs work with Regional School Operations (RSO) staff, alongside school staff, to provide many of the same functions of a school board. Together, they are responsible for the administration of the school system in Nunavut. The Territorial Minister of Education is responsible for setting the over-arching curriculum and standards for DEAs to carry out. 

Under the revised Education Act 2020, school principals, instead of DEAs, are responsible for overseeing the implementation of inclusive education in their schools.  This will help to ensure that students in every community have access to supports and services available under inclusive education.

The Education Act 2020 also increases the duty of teachers to assess all students to determine if they need inclusive education adjustments. Previously, teachers were required to assess only those students who they believe may require additional services and supports. DEAs may provide teachers with additional information to assist them in their duty to assess students.

The Education Act (2020) addresses reporting requirements for inclusive education by:

• Requiring principals to report 3 times a year to DEAs on the implementation of inclusive education in their schools; and,
• Requiring the Minister to report annually on inclusive education throughout the education system.

 

Individual Student Support Plan (ISSP)

Under the Education Act, diagnoses and supports, along with measurable goals and expected outcomes, are to be detailed in an individual student support plan (ISSP).

The main classroom/home room teacher will be responsible for developing  the ISSP, in consultation with student support teachers, parents, and students.  Previously, the development of ISSPs is a shared responsibility between members of the school team with no one person accountable for ensuring its development. Additionally, the main teacher, not the DEA, is given the responsibility for reviewing ISSPs and assessing the progress of students with an ISSP.

 

Regular Classroom Setting

As outlined in the Education Act, every effort is made to teach students in regular instructional settings.

Under the Act, the Minister of Education, with recommendation from the principal, is provided with the final authority to exclude students from the regular classroom setting for inclusive education reasons. 

 

The School Team

The support model used in Nunavut schools relies on a collaborative team approach to meeting the needs of students.

In order to support teachers, schools have been directed to establish a School Team, made up of the administrator, the Student Support Teacher, the School Community Counsellor, and other staff or outside agency representatives, depending on the issues being addressed. Parents of the student should participate as well.

It is noted that the School Team needs to meet regularly and operate in a respectful way so that staff members feel safe in bringing challenges for discussion. A tone of optimism is identified, where no problem is deemed too great to find a solution. It may take only one meeting to address the issue; sometimes it may require several meetings to bring about resolution. This approach reflects the Iqualuit guiding principle of aajiqatigiingniq or the concept of consensus decision-making.

The School Team plays an important role in the development of accommodation plans, and in provision of the supports needed to develop ISSPs. 

 

Support Staff – Student Support Team

In general, schools are supported by inclusive education staff, specifically Student Support Teachers (SSTs), Student Support Assistants (SSAs) and School Community Counsellors (SCCs)/ Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit (IIs).

• Student Support Teachers (SST)
  Student Support Teachers (SST) support and facilitate educational programming in schools, act as instructional leaders, and help teachers plan, deliver, assess and evaluate education programs for each of their students.
• Student Support Assistant (SSA)
  As a member of the Student Support Team, the Student Support Assistant (SSA) assists in program adaptations or accommodations, as planned with the teacher.  Specific duties are assigned by the Principal in consultation with the designated SST to assist the student(s) in accessing educational programs in classrooms, the school, and the school community.  The SSA will work with an individual student or small groups in an inclusive manner fostering the greatest degree of independence possible.
  Key responsibilities for this position include: assisting with a student’s transportation, personal care and movement; providing interpretive help as required; assisting with planning and organizing; and assisting in facilitating a communication link between the classroom, family, community and student.
• Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit (School Community Counsellors)
  Nunavut’s 42 ilinniarvimmi inuusilirijiit provide vital guidance to students advocating for and supporting those who are struggling with emotions and behaviors, and help them work through challenges and adversities.

 

 Homeschooling

Homeschooling in Nunavut is available for parents to access education for their children, where parents have primary responsibility with supervision from the District Education Authorities (DEAs). Parents may be reimbursed education program costs incurred by or on behalf of the homeschooled student, which is to be provided by the DEAs. 

 

Distance Education

The Nunavut Department of Education currently does not have a distance learning program, but (at the time of writing, August 2022) is in the process of developing a delivery plan for distance education.

 

 

 

Below is a very brief overview of the education supports and services available in Ontario for students in elementary school and high school.

School-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. This page provides an overview of available educational supports in Ontario for students with ASD, as well as parents of students with ASD.  

Ontario’s Ministry of Education provides support for school boards to implement programs and services based on the needs of each student receiving special education programs and services. The Ontario government has implemented the Ontario Autism Program since April 2021. Some of the Ministry of Education’s current initiatives supporting students with ASD include:

• Policy and Program Memorandum (PPM) No. 140, Incorporating Methods of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) into Programs for Students with ASD
• Funding toward Behaviour Expertise Amount (BEA) to support school boards in using ABA instructional methods is approximately $39.0 million in 2023-24.
• Geneva Centre for Autism has trained many educators and professionals.

 

Entry into the Public School System 

As part of a team, the school principal, teachers, other educators and relevant community personnel should work with parents and families to plan for their child's successful transition into school. The Ontario Autism Program’s Entry to school program provides more information to support successful entry to school.

Students with ASD may require special education programs and services. Special Education in Ontario: K-12 Policy and Resource Guide provides parents with information on the delivery of special education programs and services in Ontario publicly funded schools.

Exceptional students are identified as such by an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC). Upon receiving a written request from a student's parent(s)/guardian(s), the principal of the school must refer the student to an IPRC. Through the IPRC process, students may be identified with an exceptionality, for example, with the exceptionality of Communication – Autism. 

More information is available in the above links.

 

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Following the IPRC, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed by the school in consultation with the parent. School boards also have the discretion to develop an IEP for students who have not been identified as exceptional.

The IEP is a written plan describing the special education programs and/or services required by a particular student based on a thorough assessment of their strengths and needs that affect the student's ability to learn and to demonstrate learning. 

The IEP will include methods to support students with ASD, as appropriate. Further information on the provision of ABA in schools is provided in the Ministry's Policy Program Memorandum 140 (PPM 140). 

Teachers and other educators work to develop a student's IEP with input from parents and families, relevant school board personnel, and relevant community personnel (when parents and families have provided consent). Parents and families have valuable information that they can share about their children. Boards will consult parents and families to ensure a student receives the best education possible. 

A student's principal is responsible for their IEP, and signs the final plan to indicate their assurance that the plan is appropriate to the student's strengths and needs and that it meets ministry standards.

The IEP should be reviewed at least once every reporting period and updated as appropriate in view of the student's progress. Principals should ensure that relevant school board personnel and community personnel who have previously worked and/or are currently working with a student with ASD are invited to provide input and participate in the IEP process. Parents and families are also consulted on their child's IEP. 

More information on IEPs and transition plans can be found in Special Education in Ontario Kindergarten to Grade 12 Policy and Resource Guide.

Where students have an IEP, schools also develop a transition plan for that student. More information on planning for students with ASD can be found in the Ministry's PPM 140.

 

Connections for Students 

If school-aged, Connections for Students can help students move from community-based services delivered through the Ontario Autism Program into school. The Connections for Students program is centred on multidisciplinary, student-specific and school based transition teams that are established approximately six months before a child prepares to leave intensive behavioural intervention (IBI) services delivered through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) Autism Intervention Program (AIP) and starts or continues in publicly funded school. 

The transition team includes parent(s)/guardian(s), School Support Program ASD Consultants, teacher(s), school principal or principal's designate and other relevant community or school board personnel who have previously worked and/or are currently working with a student with ASD.   

The school-based transition team will work to align the goals of a student's Individual Service Plan with his or her school-based IEP, where appropriate. The transition team continues to support the student for at least six months after leaving the AIP and entering or continuing in school. 

 

Ontario School Boards and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

Ontario educators are directed to use ABA instructional methods in programming for students with ASD, where appropriate. 

The Ministry provides funding to school boards to hire board level ABA-based professionals. This funding allows every school board in the province to hire at least one expert in ABA. School board ABA experts provide and coordinate training on ABA instructional methods and resources at the school board and school level, and provide support for educators. Information can be found here.

The Ministry provides funding to the Geneva Centre for Autism to offer online and in-person ABA-based training opportunities for educators across the province. The Ministry also provides funding annually for school boards for training opportunities to build school board capacity in ABA.

 

Homeschooling & e-Learning 

The Ontario Ministry of Education offers the option and resources for homeschooling. This includes by supervision of a school board in terms of resources on curriculum and activities for at-home learning to ensure the child is receiving satisfactory instruction at home. Please contact your local school board for more information.   

 

Private Schools 

In Ontario, private schools are independent of the Ministry of Education and operate as a business or non-profit organization, still according to the Education Act. Private schools are not mandated to implement special education provisions, such as the Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and do not receive financial support from the government. Please follow this link for a list of private schools.  

 

Questions  

If you have questions regarding a school-aged child’s special education programs and services, you should first speak with the person most involved in the student's education: the classroom teacher or the special education (resource) teacher. In addition to talking to a teacher, parents may also wish to speak with their child’s principal who can help guide them to other school board resources. 

 

Funding

• Toronto Funding & Financial Supports Guide for Families who Have Children with Disabilities
  A list of resources about all the funding options available to families in Toronto, Ontario, and federally. Information for each option is clearly described with eligibility criteria and contact information provided.
  
  
• Accessing Autism-Related Funding for Children in Ontario
  Below is a brief overview of potential autism-related funding, services, and support provided in Ontario.

 

Ontario Autism Program (OAP)

Eligibility Requirements

Children and youth who reside in Ontario and have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a qualified professional and reside in the province are eligible for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). Children receive services and supports until the age of 18.

Diagnosis

If you have concerns about your child’s development, it is best to make an appointment with your child’s doctor as soon as possible. You can seek a diagnosis for autism for your child or youth from qualified professionals who have undergone specific training.

You can also receive a diagnosis of autism from one of Ontario’s diagnostic hubs funded by the ministry. However, you are not required to get a diagnosis from one of the hubs to apply to register for the Ontario Autism Program.

If you receive a private diagnostic assessment, your child’s written diagnosis must include the following information:

• Your child’s full name and date of birth
• The date of your child’s assessment
• A statement indicating that the child meets the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder
• The qualified professional’s name and credentials

If you receive a diagnostic assessment from a diagnostic hub, you will receive a report that summarizes your child’s results and, if indicated, includes a diagnosis.

Once your child or youth has a written diagnosis from a qualified professional, you can apply to register for the Ontario Autism Program.

For further information to help support your child and family after an autism diagnosis, read Autism Speaks Canada’s 100 Day Kit for Young Children.

 

Registering for the Ontario Autism Program

Once you have determined that your child is eligible for the Ontario Autism Program, it is time to register.

To register for the OAP, you must set up an account with AccessOAP to have access to OAP services. The AccessOAP is the OAP’s Independent Intake Organization. Contact the OAP’s central resource team or the AccessOAP for more information:

• OAP Central Resource Team

  Phone: 1-888-444-4530

  Email: oap@ontario.ca

• AccessOAP

  Phone: 1-833-425-2445

  Email: info@AccessOAP.ca

 

Interim One-Time Funding

If you have received a childhood budget for your child and have received an invitation letter from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, you may be eligible to apply for interim one-time funding. The childhood budgets were for children and youth who registered in the OAP before April 2021 to purchase the services and support that were most important to families and their child. The invitation letter includes your child’s:

• OAP client information reference number
• Date of birth that is on file with your OAP service provider or with the ministry
• OAP registration date

Families with children under age six are eligible to receive $22,000, while families with children aged six and older are eligible to receive $5,500.

Eligible services for childhood budgets or interim one-time funding include:

• Behavioural services such as assessments and consultations
• Speech language pathology
• Occupational therapy and physiotherapy
• Family and caregiver training
• Respite services
• Travel
• Technology aids

 

Applying for Interim One-Time Funding

You must complete the interim one-time funding application, and submit your expense form.

• Application form for primary caregivers who is a parent or legal guardian
• Application form for independent youth aged 16 or 17 who has chosen to withdraw from their parent or caregiver’s care

You will receive your funding once the ministry approves and processes your application.

 

INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES RECEIVING SERVICES BEFORE APRIL 2019

If your child is currently registered for the program you do not have to register again.

 

Behaviour services

Behaviour services are offered by different types of services and supports as you need for your child:

• Foundational family services
• Caregiver-mediated early years programs
• Core clinical services
• Entry to school program
• Urgent response services

 

Find behavioural services in your area

Autism Ontario has a list of clinical supervisors who oversee the delivery of behavioural services. This list can help you search for, select and confirm the qualifications of clinical supervisors.

As experts in assessment and behavioural interventions, clinical supervisors assess, develop and recommend evidence-based behavioural services that are consistent with the Ontario Autism Program clinical framework. Clinical supervisors oversee all aspects of your child’s behaviour plan in collaboration with you and other therapists. Learn more about the role of clinical supervisors.

To join the list, clinical supervisors must demonstrate they meet all the program’s qualification requirements. However, you may hire a clinical supervisor who is not on the list if they are working towards the qualification requirements and complete the clinical supervisor attestation form.

After April 1, 2021, clinical supervisors who wish to provide behavioural services funded through the Ontario Autism Program must meet all qualification requirements.

 

Family service plan

Families can choose to have a family service plan. The OAP family service plan captures the broader range of services and supports, activities, interests and goals of each child or youth and their family. It is a document that changes over time to reflect the changing priorities of the family, the child’s or youth’s developmental stage, and progress toward specific goals and transition plans. A family service plan is developed by the OAP family support worker in collaboration with the family and other professionals as necessary.

 

MORE INFORMATION ON OAP

Autism Ontario offers information sessions about the Ontario Autism Program in locations across Ontario.

Orientation to the Ontario Autism Program

At this workshop, you can:

• Learn about changes to the Ontario Autism Program, including what they are and how they may affect you and your family
• Get information about Autism Ontario’s service navigation program which can help you navigate the Ontario Autism Program
• Connect with other families with similar experiences to share information and feel supported.

 

Childhood budget workshop

This workshop provides a step-by-step guide to help you understand and fill out your childhood budget form and learn about what a childhood budget means for your family. This workshop is available to all parents and caregivers, whether your child is registered for the Ontario Autism Program or not.

 

Ontario Autism's OAP Service Navigation Program

You can also register to access the OAP Service Navigation Program, facilitated by Ontario Autism, which is designed to:

• Help families understand the new Ontario Autism Program and the services available to purchase with their Childhood Budgets;
• Find qualified providers;
• Support families in navigating their local autism services to access meaningful and effective supports;
• Provide access to parent resources and webinars; and
• Provide opportunities for families to connect with each other at events.

Register for the OAP Service Navigation Program through Autism Ontario here.

* Note: Autism Ontario states that it will not be involved in registration, intake, waitlist management, determining eligibility for OAP Childhood Budgets, funding distribution or reconciliation for the Ontario Autism Program.

 

About Autism Ontario

Autism Ontario (formerly Autism Society Ontario) is the province’s leading source of information and referral on autism and one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community. Autism Ontario consists of knowledgeable parents, professionals, and autistic self-advocates who can speak to the key issues that impact Ontario individuals with autism and their families and loved ones. Members are connected through a volunteer network of Chapters throughout the Province of Ontario.

Autism Ontario is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day challenges faced by individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals with whom they interact.

 

Autism funding and programs for Individuals 18+ in Ontario

Below is information about government-funded supports and services available to adults (18 years or older) with autism living in the province of Ontario.

In Ontario, income and employment support for adults with autism are delivered through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

 

Ontario Disability Support Program

The ODSP offers:

• Financial assistance to help you and your family with essential living expenses
• Benefits for you and your family, including prescription drugs and vision care
• Help finding and keeping a job, and advancing your career

The program is administered through the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Eligibility: Age 18 or older with a disability likely to last a year or more and financial need.

 

ODSP offers two types of support:

• Income Support
• Employment Support

 

Income Support

Financial assistance can be provided to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter. Income support also includes benefits, like drug coverage and vision care, for clients and their eligible family members.

 

Eligibility

To qualify for ODSP income support, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be an Ontario resident
• Be in financial need (defined below) and
• Meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability, or be a member of a Prescribed Class

Note: If you’re under 18, you can start the application process up to six months before your 18th birthday.

 

Financial Support

You are considered to be in financial need if the costs of your household’s basic living expenses are more than your household’s income and assets (as determined by your ODSP caseworker).

When you apply for income support, a caseworker will ask you for specific documents that show:

• Your household’s housing and shelter-related costs
• Any money coming into your household, as well as the value of assets belonging to members of the household 

The caseworker will also need your signed consent to disclose and verify personal information. This allows the ODSP office to contact third parties and gather additional information needed to determine your eligibility for income support.

Only a caseworker can decide if you are financially eligible for ODSP, however, you may use the Online Application for Social Assistance to see if you might qualify and to start your application.

 Note: If you’re an Ontario Works client, your financial need has already been established. Speak to your caseworker if you want to apply for ODSP income support.

 

Employment Supports

If you have a disability, ODSP employment supports can help you find and keep a job or advance your career. 

Eligibility

To qualify for employment supports, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be an Ontario resident
• Be legally allowed to work in Canada
• Have a substantial physical or mental disability that is expected to last a year or more, and makes it hard for you to find or keep a job.

You don’t have to be receiving income support from ODSP to be eligible for employment supports.

 

Applying

You can print the application package using the links below, or call/visit your local ODSP office to request a package and get more information about specific services where you live. 

 

Local ODSP Offices

To find your local office you can use the Social Assistance Office Finder

 

Post-Secondary Education Disability Funding by Province/Territory - Ontario

https://aidecanada.ca/learn/community-inclusion/post-secondary-education-disability-funding-by-province-territory

Below is an overview of financial assistance available to eligible post-secondary students through the provincial and federal governments. This information only provides a brief overview of financial assistance available to eligible post-secondary students. Please note this does not include private or school-specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants.

Students are encouraged to speak with the financial aid office at their university or college to learn more about what options may be available to them in terms of various resources including private or school-specific grants, scholarships or bursaries.

Note: As this review was done at a given point in time, programs and/or the relevant forms may have changed over time. As most guides, forms and other materials identified are commonly updated for each academic year, please check that you are referring to the most recent version. 

We cannot guarantee that this review is fully complete, accurate or up-to-date. Please check with the Post-Secondary Education Financial Services office in your jurisdiction and/or institution to verify what is available to you. 

 

NATIONAL/FEDERAL FUNDING

In the context of post-secondary education, accessibility considerations include financial supports that are intended to ensure that students with disabilities have equitable opportunity to all Canadians in their aims of pursuing post-secondary education. Below is an overview of some grants and loans available to post-secondary students with disabilities, including ASD and intellectual disability (ID), across Canada.

The Government of Canada offers grants and loans to post-secondary students through a program called Canada Student Grants and Loans. These grants and loans help students pay for their post-secondary education. Loans need to be repaid to the government, whereas grants do not.

The amount of funding a student can receive in grants and loans depends on a number of factors, including where they live, their family income, their tuition fees and living expenses, and if they have a disability. A particular student’s need will be assessed when they apply for a Canada Student Loan, and this will have a bearing on the funding for which they are eligible.

While Canada Student Loans are funded by the federal government, each province and territory’s financial aid office is responsible for administering them. A list of the provincial and territorial financial aid offices across Canada can be found here.

The following are specific assistance programs offered by the Government of Canada to post-secondary students with permanent disabilities, such as ASD and ID:

1. Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities
2. Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities
3. Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Disability

Each of these plans are discussed below.

 

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities

The Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities is a grant that provides up to $2,800 until the end of the 2023-24 (August 1 to July 31) for post-secondary education for students who have qualified for a Canada Student Loan.

Students can receive this grant for each year of their full-time or part-time studies (including undergraduate and graduate levels) as long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Students are eligible if they:

• Apply and qualify for full-time or part-time student financial assistance (have at least $1 of assessed financial need);
• Are enrolled in a full-time or part-time program at a designated post-secondary institution;
• Meet the definition for students with permanent disabilities:
  “a functional limitation caused by a physical or mental impairment that restricts the ability of a person to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in studies at a post-secondary school level or the labour force; and is expected to remain with the person for the person’s expected life”; and,
• Include one of the following with their loan application as proof of their disability:
• Medical certificate
• Psycho-educational assessment
• Documents that prove they have received federal or provincial permanent disability assistance.

Eligibility for this grant will be automatically assessed if a student indicates they have a permanent disability when applying for a Canada Student Loan. There is no specific form needed for this grant.

NOTE: This grant is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Québec, as these provinces and territories operate their own programs.

 

Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities

If students require exceptional services or equipment to support their education, they may be eligible to receive the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities. This is a grant, meaning it does not need to be repaid.

This grant may allow students to access services and equipment like:

• Note-takers;
• Tutors;
• Interpreters; and/or
• Technical aids.

In order to be eligible for this grant, students must require specific services and/or equipment. This needs to be confirmed, in writing, by:

• A representative at a student’s institution (e.g. Disability Services);
• Their doctor; or
• Another medical professional.

More information may be requested. At the end of a student’s school year, they will have to provide receipts for all approved costs.

A separate application is required for the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities (done through the student’s provincial/territorial student aid office).

The federal government also offers support to students with disabilities who have taken out a student loan through the Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Permanent Disability (RAP-PD).

 

Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Disability

The Government of Canada offers help to students with permanent disabilities to manage their student loan debt.

The Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with a Disability (RAP-PD) makes it easier for students to manage their student loan debt by reducing their monthly payment.

With RAP-PD, a student’s monthly loan payment would either be reduced, or they would not have to make any payments, depending on their financial situation. This could also depend on a student’s permanent disability-related expenses, which include allowable uninsured medical expenses, special care and other expenses directly related to their permanent disability.

Enrollment is not automatic, and students must re-apply for this plan every six months.

Students can check if they qualify for a reduced monthly payment by using the Repayment Assistance Estimator.

Note: Students whose loans were issued by Prince Edward Island or Manitoba, must apply directly to their province for repayment assistance for their provincial loan. Students are encouraged to contact their provincial student financial assistance office to find out more.

 

PROVINCIAL RESOURCES

The following provides an overview of the grants and loans available to post-secondary students with disabilities in Ontario. For more information on financial services, please visit the website, as noted below. Links are provided where applicable.

In Ontario, the student financial aid office is called Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). They assist students in applying for student loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries. OSAP is run by the provincial government.

OSAP offers the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) for post-secondary students with disabilities, including ASD and ID.

 

Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD)

The Ontario government has combined the Bursary for Students with Disabilities (BSWD) with the federal government’s Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment Grant for Students with Disabilities (CSG-PDSE). These two programs are intended to assist students in meeting the additional costs of equipment and supplies needed for their education. It is only for specialized equipment and services required for participating in post-secondary studies.

This may include funding for:

• Note-takers;
• Tutors;
• Interpreters; or
• Technical aids.

This bursary is needs-based. The amount of aid provided depends on the costs of a student’s required disability-related educational services and equipment.

To be eligible, students must be studying full-time at an approved public post-secondary institution, and in an approved program. Full-time is defined as a 40% course load or higher for students with ASD and/or ID. More information can be found here.

Students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, or who are from another province and have not resided in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months, are not eligible.

The BSWD is made up of two components:

• The federal Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities. Only students who have applied and qualified for OSAP are eligible for this portion of the BSWD.

• Provincial bursary funding provided by the Ontario government. Students who are not eligible for loan funding may still be eligible for this bursary, including those with permanent and/or prolonged or persistent disabilities. In determining eligibility, disability-related education support costs are included in the calculation of eligible education costs in the Ontario portion of the Canada-Ontario Integrated Student Loan needs assessment.

 

Application

The BSWD/CSG-PDSE application outlines what supporting documents are required based on the student’s requested accommodations. It also outlines who to contact if a student needs help in completing their application. The BSWD/CSG-PDSE application form can be found here.  Readers are advised to check if completion of a more recent form is required.

Applications must be received by a student’s financial aid office no later than 60 days before the end of a student’s study period.

After applying, a student’s financial aid office will check the information and documentation to make sure it is complete. Applications will then be assessed for eligibility, and determination of the most efficient and cost-effective method to fund the equipment and services required by the student.

 

Other

Students living in Ontario may also be eligible for federal funding, including the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities. Students will be automatically assessed for this grant when they submit a student loan application, which can be done here.

 

 

 

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. The Prince Edward Island school system provides a variety of supports for individuals with autism including: consultants, resource teachers, specially designed curriculum, social supports, and individualized programs.

The Department of Education and Lifelong Learning develops and delivers programs and curriculum in English and French to children from birth to Grade 12.

The Department offers autism services to preschool and school-age children and youth in Prince Edward Island. Early Years Autism Specialists provide services to young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders before entering school.

An integrated approach between professionals and the school boards ensures a smooth transition into the school system, where support continues with school-based Autism Consultants.

 

Entering School

Planning begins six months before the child enters school to ease the transition from the preschool to the school environment.

Family information meetings, case conferences, assessment and orientation activities for the child all contribute to the transition process.

A school-based Autism Consultant will continue to monitor and assist during the child's school years.

 

Intensive Kindergarten Support (IKS)

When entering kindergarten, the child may need frequent and individualized instruction during this important first year of school.

If this is the case, an Early Years Autism Specialist can provide regular support for both the child and school staff.  This Intensive Kindergarten Support (IKS) includes weekly or biweekly consult visits to assist the child’s teacher in individual programming, modifying curriculum, helping to address behavioural challenges, and participating in Individual Education Plan (IEP) development.  

The child will continue to receive support and assistance from a school-based Autism Consultant in Grades 1 to 12, based on the child's assessed needs.

 

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Overview

The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written record that describes what a student can already do and what he or she needs to learn. It also lists the special conditions that a student will need by outlining support services and educational program adaptations and/or modifications.

The content of the individual education plan will address domains most relevant to the needs of the student. For some students, it will focus primarily on academic goals and objectives. For others, the individual plan may concentrate on life skills, such as personal care training and/or social skills. A number of students will require an individual plan which emphasizes goals and objectives addressing challenging behaviours.

Most IEP’s are written in the Fall to cover a school year and are considered a working document, reviewed throughout the year. The IEP is created collaboratively. Core members of the IEP team include: a school administrator, resource/special education teacher, classroom/subject teacher(s), parent(s), and student when appropriate.

Parents play a vital role in the education of their children and are invited to attend IEP meetings to participate in the planning process. The IEP planning process is strengthened by the continued involvement of parent(s) at all stages of planning, development, and implementation.

 

IEP Process

There are a number of circumstances under which students may be considered for individualized educational planning. Teachers and parents will generally follow a number of steps before initiating a formal referral for in-depth individualized planning. The exception to this is the students who arrive in school with previously identified conditions and/or syndromes, including ASD, and who will already have an IEP or immediately require one.

If a child has not yet received an ASD diagnosis and he or she has special educational needs that extend beyond the academic domain, the classroom/subject teacher, resource teacher and/or school counsellor and parent may decide that the student’s special educational needs indicate a referral to the school-based student services team.

A School-Based Student Services Team is an ongoing collaborative team that has a specific role to play as a problem-solving unit in assisting classroom teachers to develop and implement instructional and/or management strategies, and to coordinate support resources for students with special educational needs within the school.

Prior to meeting with the school-based student services team, the classroom/subject teacher, resource teacher and/or school counsellor will continue to plan, informally assess and make adjustments so that the curriculum is responsive to the student’s educational needs.

The initiation of a formal referral to the student services team may begin the process of determining whether the student will require an IEP. However, there are a number of steps that will need to be taken before a final decision is made.

At this point the school-based student services team is consulted regarding the next steps in the planning process.

• When the student services team determines that this course of action adequately addresses the student’s educational needs, further personalization will not be necessary.
• When the student services team determines that the course of action is not producing the desired outcomes, it may be necessary to develop an IEP.

The outcome of the assessments, in combination with the student’s functioning level, will determine the degree of personalization that will be required to address the student’s special educational needs. For some students, the team may determine that further interventions such as formalized assessments, contacts with specialists from outside agencies, and/or involvement of board-based expertise are necessary in the individualized planning process.

The unique educational needs of students place them on a particular point on the continuum of special education programs and services. Where students are on that continuum will dictate if the IEP is brief or more detailed and complex.

An IEP will be developed for students who require programs and services that are substantially different from most other students, and/or cannot meet the outcomes of regular curriculum, and/or require any educational assistant support.

 

Contact for more support:

Early Years Autism Coordinator
Early Childhood Development
Aubin Arsenault Building
3 Brighton Rd.
Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T6

Tel: (902) 368-4472
Fax: (902) 368-4622
Email: dmrochon@edu.pe.ca(link sends e-mail)

 

Home Education

The Prince Edward Island Department of Education and Lifelong Learning offer families the option of educate their children using a home education program. Parents have access to  learning resources and can request to access provincial curriculum books with a $50 deposit.

 

Private Schools

Prince Edward Island has five private schools. For more information, please contact the school directly. 

 

Autism Funding

School-age Autism Funding

School-age children (until the day of graduation) diagnosed ASD, who are enrolled in a public or private school, may be eligible for school-age autism funding. 

School-age autism funding is available to help parents and designated community-based organizations offset the costs of hiring one-on-one tutors and aides in home and group settings. School-age autism funding may cover up to $6600 in tutor/aide services per year. Parents, or the designated organization, determine the number of hours and rate of pay.

The child must require the support of an adult to access community-based activities and/or tutoring outside of school hours.

 

Application Process

The first step in applying for school-age autism funding is to identify a tutor or aide to work with one’s child and agree on a wage rate or identify an organization that will employ a tutor or aide. This step needs to be completed before completing and submitting an application.

Next, parents will complete an application for school-age autism funding, including information about the tutor/aide or the organization that will employ the tutor/aide and the wage rate. The application also requires documentation of this child’s diagnosis of ASD.

The completed application should be submitted to the Autism Funding Administrator.

If approved, the parent or the designated organization will receive an Autism Funding Agreement for review. Once signed, hours of service by the tutor or aide can begin.

Parents or the designated organization submit Time Tracking Logs (see the application) to the Autism Funding Coordinator to receive payment after the tutor or aide has provided support.

Payment is issued to the parent or the designated organization according to a Funding Schedule. The parent or the designated organization then pay the tutor or aide.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Below are links to some additional resources provided by the Government of Prince Edward Island related to education and transition planning.

• Resource Guide for Parents of Children with Autism
• Elementary Transition Planning Resources
• Secondary Transition Planning Resource
• Educating Children about Autism in an Inclusive Classroom

 

 

 

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. This page provides an overview of available educational supports in Quebec for students with ASD, as well as parents of students with ASD.

The Office des personnes handicapees du Quebec [limited English resources] is a government agency that is responsible for informing, advising, assisting and representing people with disabilities, their family and their caregivers. The Office’s services cover all areas of the educational, occupational and social lives of people with disabilities, regardless of the type of impairment.

 

For service or assistance:

Office des personnes handicapees du Quebec
Phone: 1.800.567.1465
Email: aide@ophq.gouv.gc.ca

The Office published a helpful handbook for parents, entitled Family Support Guide ..The purpose of the guide is to provide information on programs for people with disabilities, their families and caregivers.

 

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a document that serves to define a student’s strengths and needs, as well as describe the means that will be put in place to help the student in school. The information it contains shapes the interventions used with the student. It is a reference tool for parents and the school’s teaching and non-teaching staff. It is used in every school in Quebec for students with disabilities or learning or behavioural challenges.

For more information, see the IEP template here and the reference framework here. 

The school principal, along with the help of the parents, staff, and, when applicable, the student, establishes an IEP adapted to the student’s needs. Parents may be invited to participate at one or several meetings concerning their child’s IEP.

A first meeting is typically held in September, with additional meetings held during the school year to review the objectives and means indicated in the plan.

Before the IEP meeting, it is important to be well prepared. The following should be completed before your first meeting:

• Prepare a file which contains the childcare service’s evaluation files, report cards, medical reports, your child’s diagnosis, and any other relevant information about your child.
• Develop a Portrait of Your Child, which will be useful when presenting your child and their special needs to school staff.
• Determine your expectations and convey these in your meeting.

Support for students with disabilities involves differentiation, pedagogical flexibility, adaptations or modification of anticipated outcomes in connection with Quebec Education Program requirements.

 

The Transition from School to Active Life (TSAL)

The end of schooling and the passage to adult life poses special challenges for young people with disabilities, however the transition can be much easier if plans are in place. This is the purpose of the transition from school to active life (TSAL) process.

This process is aimed at:

• Helping the young person define their life plans
• Enabling parents to think about the vision of their child’s future
• Fostering the social and vocational integration of the young person within the community.

Generally, at the age of 16, or when the student begins work exposure programs, if these are part of their educational pathway, the student will be asked to identify their life plans and set goals to achieve them. Experience demonstrates advantages of commencing this process early. The school and community partners accompany the student in the process, and help them identify and achieve their goals.

To begin a TSAL process for a child, parents are encouraged to discuss it with the school administration.

 

Homeschooling

Homeschooling in Quebec must follow all government regulations regarding the implementation and characteristics of the learning project, and the annual evaluation of the student’s progress. Parent-educators can request access to resources, such as textbooks, instructional material, certain complementary student services, and certain resources and necessary equipment free of charge. Parents are required to contact the relevant school board to request support for their child.

 

Private Schools

There are nearly 270 private schools [French resource only] in Quebec, with 12 exclusively for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. Some private schools receive government subsidies, and there are opportunities to receive additional funding for special programs or educational services.

 

 

 

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt to, and succeed in the public school system. This page offers an overview of all available educational supports in Saskatchewan for students with ASD, along with how funding is offered through the school system.

Saskatchewan’s Education Act mandates that all students have access to appropriate educational programs that optimize their individual strengths and address their individual needs to become lifelong learners.

In Saskatchewan, Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) education is a shared responsibility between the Ministry of Education, under the authority of the Minister of Education, and locally elected boards of education.

The elected local school boards have responsibility to manage and administer the K-12 school system in their school division, within the regulations and guidelines set out by the Ministry of Education.

There are 27 school divisions in Saskatchewan including:

• Public School Divisions
• Separate School Divisions
• Francophone School Division

Students with additional needs – such as ASD or intellectual disability – are supported in inclusive settings by a collaborative team that includes their parents, education professionals, and other individuals who help them reach their goals.

The Ministry of Education provides funding to each school division to develop programming for students requiring additional supports, including those with intensive needs. Supports are provided on a needs basis, and at different levels depending on the complexity of a student’s needs and on their age.

This review breaks down the different supports available to specific age groups: Pre-Kindergarten, Elementary and High School.

While approaches may vary by school division, all students – no matter their age – are recommended an Inclusion and Intervention Plan (IIP). 

 

Inclusion and Intervention Plans (IIPs)

Students whose needs require a significant level of support may benefit from an IIP. Parents/guardians are encouraged to work with their school division team in order to ensure their child has the tools they need to succeed.

An IIP is a document developed and implemented by a collaborative team. The IIP focuses on priority outcomes based on the individual student’s strengths, interests and needs.  It describes the supports and strategies the student requires, and the person(s) responsible for providing the supports. The student’s progress is monitored and the plan is adjusted as the student’s needs change.

An IIP is a flexible planning document that supports the learning needs of a student.

The IIP:

• is developed by a collaborative team;
• is adjusted for each child; and
• describes the supports and strategies needed to optimize learning in an inclusive setting.

Parents and guardians are members of the support team, and are encouraged to be involved in developing and reviewing the IIP for their child. Team members help the student understand and participate in the IIP process.

The IIP includes:

• student identification and background information;
• a summary of the student's strengths, interests, learning styles and learning needs;
• assessment information that identifies the student's strengths and needs;
• areas of focused development such as independence, communication, motor skills or academic achievement;
• measurable outcomes for the prioritized areas of development;
• strategies and resources to help the student successfully achieve their outcomes;
• team members who will implement strategies, supports, and interventions in the IIP;
• plans for assessment and a review of progress; and
• plans for both short- and long-term transitions.

 

Pre-K:

Early Learning Intensive Support (ELIS):

The Early Learning Intensive Support Pilot is a program for young children (aged 3-4) who require intensive supports. The program provides additional spaces in a number of Pre-Kindergarten programs to provide opportunities for children to engage in inclusive learning with other children the same age. This funding allows for the hiring of additional educational assistants and to bring in specialized resources.

ELIS was first established in Saskatoon and Regina in 2018, and has since expanded to some other communities. ELIS is accessible to children aged 3 and 4, though waitlists are long, especially as the program becomes more popular.

Parents are advised to contact their school division for further information about the possibility of ELIS, and potentially for an application.

 

Elementary School:

Intensive Supports Funding

The Ministry of Education in Saskatchewan mandates schools to make every effort to provide a student with the supports they need in their neighborhood school. In these schools, students requiring assistance are supported by school-based resource teachers, as well as Special Education/Student Services personnel.

However, in some cases, children with ASD and intellectual disability require supports beyond those that can be provided in their neighborhood school. As such, the government provides school divisions with Intensive Supports funding to carry out these specialized programs.

It is important to note that, as a needs-based model, not all school divisions in Saskatchewan offer the same Intensive Supports services.

 

How are students identified for Intensive Support funding?

Individual school teams and special education consultants work with families to obtain the necessary medical documentation, which meets Ministry of Education criteria. In order for a student to receive intensive supports, the school district must demonstrate the program and supports provided for each student, and document these through the student’s Personal Program Plan. A qualified special education teacher – along with professional support staff – is responsible for the student’s assessment, their program planning and program delivery. Educational Assistants may also become part of the support plan for the student.

 

What are some of the supports and services provided?

The Intensive Supports Team is comprised of professionals who work collaboratively to provide supports to staff, students, and families. The team consists of:

• Consultants;
• Speech and Language Pathologists;
• Registered Psychologists;
• Occupational Therapists;
• A Behavioural Management Coach;
• School Social Workers; and,
• English as an Additional Language Teachers

The Intensive Supports Team works collaboratively with school teams and families to identify and implement interventions and supports that are aligned with student needs, and will contribute to continued student growth.

 

Student Support Services and Teachers

The following support services and teachers are available to elementary school students at many Saskatchewan schools, depending on the school division’s needs and specific policies.

• A Learning Support Coach – provides indirect support to targeted students through direct consultation with the classroom teacher.
• A Co-Teacher – co-plans and co-teaches with the classroom teacher in a classroom context.
• A Peer Collaborator – works together with the classroom teacher to solve a problem or develop a plan of support.
• A Supportive Teacher – provides direct instruction or support to an individual student or group of students.
• An Interventionist – works within school-wide models to provide support at multiple levels and across multiple settings.

 

High School:

Alternative Education Programs (AEPs)

In addition to regular programs, Saskatchewan high schools may offer Additional Education Programs (AEPs) for students who require a different approach than the typical education program offered in high school. AEPs are good options for students with conceptual limitations that impede functioning all or substantially all of the time.

A student will be considered for placement in an AEP after a comprehensive assessment process. This includes both a formal assessment (by a certified practitioner) and an informal assessment (discussion among school and division personnel and parents on student’s strengths, challenges, etc.).

 

Functional Integrated Programs (FIPs)

In addition to regular programs and AEPs, Saskatchewan high schools may offer Functional Integrated Programs (FIPs). FIPs are to be provided for students with significant, multiple or intellectual disabilities who require highly individualized programming in order to meet their needs. FIPs are for those students that require more support than the Regular Education Program and the AEP can provide.

 

Home-based Education Programs

The home-based education program in Saskatchewan provides parents or caregivers with the option to direct the program for their child, ensuring the program is age and ability appropriate. Parents or caregivers directing the home-based education program must submit a notice of intent and an education plan, while maintaining communication with the registering authority. Each local school division provides parents or caregivers with numerous supports including:

• Assessment for students with intensive needs
• Driver education
• Home-based learner assessments
• Distance-learning opportunities
• Access to learning resources
• Support for earning secondary credit

 

Distance Education

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education currently has no reference to distance education or online learning. However, distance education or online learning may be available in your local school division. For more information, please contact your local school division.

 

Qualified Independent Schools

Independent schools in Saskatchewan may apply to become Qualified Independent Schools. Qualified Independent Schools receive funding based on the number of eligible school-aged students registered in the school. The Qualified Independent Schools are committed to the Goals of Education for Saskatchewan and provide approved programs and courses of study in accordance with the provincial curriculum.

 

Services Available in Saskatoon:

Saskatoon Public Schools offers an array of special education programs to students with intensive needs, including programs specific to students with ASD and intellectual disability.

Placement in these programs is determined based on students’ individual needs and assessment criteria. Parents who are interested in learning more about the programs outlined below in Saskatoon are encouraged to call Saskatoon Public Schools’ Special Education Office at (306) 683-8332.

• Autism Support Program (ASP)
  ASP is a behavioural stabilization program with the goal of reintegration into the neighborhood school program. This program is available for children age 6-15 at select schools.
  
  
• Secondary Autism Resource Program (ARP)
  Secondary ARP is a secondary program for students diagnosed on the autism spectrum who are seeking a regular high school program, but require additional supports. This is offered for students in grades 9 – 12 at select schools.
  
  
• Functional Life Skills Program (FLS)
  The Functional Life Skills (FLS) Program is offered to students with a moderate intellectual disability. A Junior Program is available for students 6 to 10 years of age; an Intermediate Program for students 11 to 14 years of age; and a Senior Program for students 15 to 22 years of age. FLS Programs are available at select schools.
  
  
• Functional Academics Program (FA)
  Functional Academics (FA) Program is offered to students with mild intellectual disabilities, who also face behaviour challenges. A Junior Program is available for students 6 to 9 years of age; an Intermediate Program for students 10 to 12 years of age; and a Senior Program for students 12 to 14 years of age. FA is available at select schools.
  
  
• Alternate Education Work Study Program (AWES)
  The Alternate Education Work Study (AWES) Program is offered at the high school level. Students follow a 4 to 5-year Alternate Education Program. For those students who may benefit from additional programming, the Life Skills Work Study Transition Program operates in the Saskatoon Public Schools Education Centre (in downtown Saskatoon). Students may attend this program until they reach 22 years of age.
  
  

 

 

 

 

School-aged children with ASD often require additional support and resources to transition into, adapt and succeed in the public school system. This page provides an overview of available educational supports in the Yukon for students with ASD.

The Government of Yukon provides individualized education programming to meet the learning needs of students. Their mandate states every effort is made to provide support so that all students can reach their goals.

School-aged children in the Yukon receive support through the Territory’s Department of Education. If a child has received a diagnosis of ASD before the age of 5 years, the Child Development Centre and the Department of Education will work closely together to help facilitate a smooth transition for the child into a school setting. This transition process is available for families and can include processes such as sharing reports or meeting with the school team. However, not all families choose to participate in the transition process.

Students with ASD or intellectual disability are provided with extra support in the classroom, which can include: 

• speech and language development;
• hearing support;
• movement support; and
• academic, emotional, social or intellectual development.

Extra support for students in the Yukon is provided through a child’s school-based team.

 

School-based Team:

The school-based team assesses a student’s learning needs based on observations of teacher or parents. The school-based team works with classroom teachers. They develop and put in place strategies to support student learning.

The school-based team includes:

• the student’s classroom teacher;
• the principal or vice-principal;
• a learning assistant teacher or other specialist teachers;
• a school counsellor;
• the parents;
• the student (where appropriate);
• consultants from the Department of Education (Student Services Team); and
• when needed, representatives from other community services.

The school-based team will create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for all students requiring extra support, including those with ASD or intellectual disability.

 

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

An IEP describes educational measures to meet the needs of the student. Some students need minor adjustments and minimum support. Others have more complex needs.

Children will receive an IEP to identify accommodations and special education services needed to assist them achieve their learning expectations. Depending on needs identified in the IEP, a student may be independent in a classroom setting or may require extra support.

It is possible that an Education Assistant (EA) will be assigned to work with the teacher to deliver a child’s educational program. Receiving extra support in the classroom is not an automatic process.

Parents should discuss the possibility of accommodation and support for their child in the classroom with their child’s teacher.

 

Other Supports – Student Support Services

If a student requires extra support beyond the classroom, it is possible for them to receive appointments with professionals within the Department of Education. This is done through a team called Student Support Services.

The Student Support Services staff and itinerant teachers work with school-based personnel to provide collaborative, multi-disciplinary support to students, school personnel, families and communities throughout the Territory. Their team is made up of speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and educational psychologists.

These appointments may help provide program recommendations for teachers, and information about ASD for parents.

Supports provided by Student Support Services to schools include:

• consulting with teachers and parents regarding student program development, intervention and evaluation;
• providing classroom observations;
• being part of the School Based Team, as requested;
• participating on learning plan teams for students with special educational needs;
• assessing individual students to assist educational programming and intervention;
• providing oral feedback to the student, parents, teacher and the School Based Team followed by a written report;
• delivering professional development for school staff, parents and/or community.

The professionals named above are noted to not provide direct therapy to children in the school system. Rather, they offer recommendations to teachers and education assistants (EAs).

 

Additional Resources

Below is a link to additional information/resources provided by the Government of Yukon related to education and transition planning.

• Student Support Services Manual

   

Homeschooling & Distance or Distributed Learning

Yukon offers homeschooling and distance or distributed learning options for families through the Aurora Virtual School (AVS). The AVS programs meet all territorially mandated education requirements and are directed by Yukon-certified teachers. For homeschooling, AVS helps with setting up a home education program and creating program plans with access to educational resources. For distance learning, AVS provides online learning opportunities to students.