| Heading Into The New School Year
Entry to School, Going To School, Beyond Graduation
|
|
|
|
|
(Image: Journey to school and beyond illustration)
|
|
|
Your child can be at one of the different stages in their learning journey at school, whether preparing to enter school for the first time, starting a new school year, or getting ready for the next steps after graduation.
In this newsletter, we suggest services and resources to help you and your child every step of the way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Image: Entry to school illustration)
|
|
|
The entry to school program is delivered by ACT Learning Centre in the Eastern Region: Stormont/Dundas/Glengarry, Prescott and Russell, Ottawa, Lanark/Leeds and Grenville, Renfrew, Frontenac/Lennox and Addington, Hastings/Prince Edward/Northumberland, Haliburton/Kawartha Lakes/Peterborough. The program is focused on helping children develop school-readiness skills in six areas: - Communication
- Play
- Social interaction
- Functional routines
- Behavioural self-management
- Pre-academics
- Learning and attention
Learn more: https://entrytoschool.actlearningcentre.ca/ also offers the entry to school program if you are close to Carleton Place and Brockville. With this service, you can access a consultative team of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, board-certified behavioural analysts, and behavioural consultants. Learn more: https://connectwell.ca/services/autism/entry-to-school-program/
|
|
|
School’s Cool for Children with Autism
School's Cool is a free school readiness program which
helps develop skills in preparation for kindergarten. This program is for children with Autism diagnosis who are starting kindergarten in fall of 2024. It is also open to families who have concerns about their child's development. The session will start in September 2023. Email talor.benson-harper@mothercraft.com for more information or to register!
|
|
|
| Identification and Placement of Exceptional Pupils (IPRC) and Integrated Educational Plan (IEP)
Did you know that every child identified with special needs should have an Identification and Placement
of Exceptional Pupils (IPRC) and an Integrated Educational Plan (IEP) completed by the school? You can request an IEP when your child enters elementary school. The school is responsible to schedule an IEP meeting. As a parent, you should receive an invitation to attend this IEP meeting.
Your child’s individualized transition plan should be shared with you. If you change schools, ensure that your child’s IEP is shared with the new school so that they have the information they need to best support your child in their new class.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Image: Going to school illustration)
|
|
|
CHEO School Support Services
CHEO understands that attending school can be a challenge for children of all ages on the autism spectrum. CHEO’s School Support Services offer a range of services to help remove barriers to success in school. Their goal is to help children and youth with ASD overcome school-related obstacles and feel confident going to school. They offer the following:
- School Support Consultations
- Growing Together Workshops
Learn more:
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/clinics-services-programs/school-support-services.aspx Note: This service is separate and distinct from the Ontario Autism Program’s entry to school program.
|
|
|
Autism Ontario's School Resources
This collection of resources aims to support caregivers in transitioning their child to school by building routines for success and supporting positive communication with their child’s school team. They offer information and strategies for parents and caregivers of children at all stages in their school journey. The following resources are available:
- Webinars on topics such as school mental health strategies, preparing for the routines, connecting with your school team, and more
- Roadmaps for going back to school or transitioning to post-secondary education
- Strategies for connecting with your school team
- Activity books to practice mental health strategies in
the transition back to school
- School supports
|
|
|
Transitioning Into High School:
Partners for Planning Toolkit for Families Starting high school is a big step on a young person’s journey to adulthood. It’s an exciting time of personal growth, new discoveries, and opportunity. As a family
member of a student with a disability, you have an important role to play in their success. Partners for Planning has put together some important things that you can do now to make this change in your teen’s life go smoothly. This toolkit will help you get you started: - High School Transition Action Guide
- Webcasts
- Planning Checklist
Learn more: https://www.planningnetwork.ca/resources/transitioning-to-highschool-toolkit-overview
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Image: Beyond graduation illustration)
|
|
|
Planning For Beyond Graduation:
P4P Toolkit For Families
The transition to adulthood can be an overwhelming phase in
a young person's life. There are many things that need to be done to prepare for life beyond graduation. It's never too early to get started!
This toolkit can help you get a head start. It shows you how to use your time wisely, to think critically and make smart choices so you and your loved one are more in control of what comes next. This period in your child's life holds so many possibilities and there are so many opportunities to start building a good life beyond graduation. This toolkit includes: - Planning for Adulthood Action Guide
- Webcasts
- Ready for Adulthood Checklist
Learn more:
https://www.planningnetwork.ca/resources/planning-for-a-good-life-beyond-graduation-toolkit-overview
|
|
|
Contact Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)
When you turn 16, contact your local DSO to see if you are eligible for services. By starting the application process early, you may be able to avoid service delays when you turn 18. DSO will help you determine the supports that are available in your area and that meet your needs when you turn 18.
There are many different services offered across the province. Some of the services that may be available in your area include:
- Housing supports
- Respite for your caregivers
- Supports to help you take part in the community
- Specialized and clinical supports
- Adult Protective Service Worker Program
- Passport program
|
|
|
Community Options Guide for Adults
The Community Options Guide for Adults is intended to help you find services and resources in your community that meet your particular needs. This includes:
If you are located in the Eastern Region, but outside Ottawa, you can contact the DSO Service Navigation team at admin@dsoer.ca to find out about services and resources similar to those listed in the Community Options Guide.
|
|
|
Employment or Volunteering Opportunities
|
|
|
|
|
(Image: Employment/Volunteering illustration)
|
|
|
You may have finished school or be close to graduation and are looking for other opportunities. If so, and if you are old enough, you might be interested in employment or volunteering opportunities.
If finding work or a volunteering opportunity is important to you, there are services available to help you find the right option!
Employment
support programs can help you identify your work interests, assess your employment skills and training needs. You can also get help with preparing your resume, searching for jobs opportunities and getting ready for interviews.
Some programs can help you learn new employment skills, such as cooking, cleaning, woodworking, office skills, etc.
Other programs can help you prepare for job placements, provide job coaching and volunteering opportunities.
Tips for Finding Employment Opportunities
Did you know that the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) has a Supported Employment Program? This program can help you with your job search, the interview process and training for your new job.
Did you know that your Passport or Special Services at
Home (SSAH) Funding can be used to hire a support person or job coach? A job coach can help you look for work, develop your skills, prepare for an interview and with training for your new job. We invite you to visit our website to watch the SSAH instructional video if you need guidance with completing your SSAH funding application.
Click on this link to watch the video:
https://scsonline.ca/instructional-videos/ssah-application/
Have you considered contacting respiteservices.com to hire a job coach, someone who can support you while you receive training for your new job?
Have you considered visiting your local community resource center to see what services are offered in your local community to support you with your search for a work or volunteering opportunity?
Locate the nearest community resource center in your area
Are you a student between 14-21 years old interested in exploring ideas for your future after high school? Student Links matches students with mentors who share a common passion or interest. To do this, youth are connected with adult mentors or community connections where similar interests exist.
Tips For Building Your Skills
Have you thought of what type of paid work or volunteer work you would like to do? Matching your skills, interests and what is important to you will increase your success and happiness at work!
If you are going to school, ask your teachers if you are eligible to participate in Co-op opportunities or job readiness programs at your school. This can help you learn new skills that will prepare you for future work and volunteer opportunities.
Did you know there are companies that offer Co-op opportunities to learn new skills, even after you graduate?
Other Tips
Creating a One Page Profile to attach to your resume is a great way to help the employer or volunteer organization get to know you better and understand how to best support you! SCS can help you develop your One Page Profile.
Think about how you will get to and from your work or volunteering location. Will you need someone to accompany you, can you walk or take the bus there?
|
|
|
|
|
About Service Coordination Support (SCS)
SCS is the initial point of contact for people who have a developmental disability, and children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. We help people find available resources in the community that are needed to assist
them in their daily lives. One of our important goals is to empower families and individuals to make informed choices about the supports they seek.
Click here to see our Services
- Children's and Adult Case Management
- Developmental Services Ontario Eastern Region
- Residential and Community Services
- respiteservices.com in Ottawa
- Coordinated Service Planning for Children and Youth
|
|
|
|
|
Contact us
Service Coordination Support (SCS)
For People with Developmental Disabilities
1400 boul. St.
Laurent Blvd., Suite 507, Ottawa, ON K1K 4H4
Tel: 613-748-1788
Email: admin@scsonline.ca
|
|
|
