Enrolling your child in school

British Columbia law requires all children, including those living with autism, to attend school between the ages of five and seventeen. Make contact with the school in your area at least six months before the new school year begins to let them know that your child has been diagnosed with autism and to allow time for the school to plan for the arrival of your child.

Inclusion
Inclusion is the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure. “The BC Ministry of education’s inclusion policy defines inclusion as “the principle that all students are entitle to equitable access to learning, achievement, and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of their education. The practice of inclusion is not necessarily synonymous with integration and goes beyond placement to include meaningful participation and promotion of interaction with others.” (Autism Community training, 2016)

Different Educational Settings within the school system

Integrated classroom

Students with autism attend school in a "typical classroom" with their neurotypical peers where they recieve appropriate supports needed for these students to be educated in this environment.

Resourse room

This classroom within a school is used to work with children with special needs and provides 1-to-1 support. Some students may receive full-time instruction, while others will receive specific support and spend the remainder of their time in the integrated classroom.

Specialized Classrooms

These classrooms are intended to meet the specific needs of specific learners including

* life skills classes

* behavior classes

* social development classes

* reading groups.

Distributed Learning

gives students flexibility to learn outside of the typical classroom. It occurs when learning from home or at school but still meets the ministry standards and the student learning is remains the teachers responsibility.

2016 ACT Autism Manual

www.actcommunity.ca/autism-manual

Segregated School

designated for students with special needs - usually those with developmental disabilities.

Independent Schools

private schools, 10 or more students, partially funded by MOE and tuition from fees paid by parents

Home Schooling

MOE - students are registered with in a school district '

parent directed and parents responsibility.