Helping Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Through Transitions

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services continue to work together to improve outcomes for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

In March 2009, 16 school boards and all nine regional autism service providers began implementing the Connections for Students transition team model. These teams are helping to improve transitions for children leaving intensive behavioural intervention (IBI) therapy to begin applied behaviour analysis (ABA) instructional methods. All publicly funded school boards in the province will have the transition teams in place by spring 2010.

Transition Team Members include:

• Principal (Team Lead)
• Parent(s)/guardian(s)
• School Support Program ASD Consultant
• Teacher(s)
• School board personnel with ABA expertise, as needed

Other relevant providers may be included as part of the team based on the student’s needs. These may include:

• Education Assistant
• Special Education Resource Teacher
• Other professionals providing service to the child, e.g., mental health service providers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Autism Intervention Program (AIP) staff provide IBI therapy services to children with ASD. They initiate the transition process with the school board. About six months before the student enters a school, the transition teams are formed. The teams develop an individualized transition plan and provide support for at least six months after a student leaves the AIP and starts or continues publicly funded school.

“We are committed to ensuring successful outcomes for all students – including students with autism. Since 2006, more than 13,000 educators have been prepared to support ABA in our publicly funded schools,” said Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky.

“Our ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Education to create a seamless system of supports so kids with autism can succeed in school with their peers,” said Children and Youth Services Minister Laurel Broten.

A Provincial Advisory Team (PAT) was established to provide advice to the two ministries on the implementation of the transition team model in the 16 selected school boards. This information will help the two ministries continue to improve the transition process for children with autism.

16 School Boards are currently working with Regional Autism Service Providers to help children transition from IBI therapy to school.