Direct answer
Start planning the JK-to-Grade 1 transition in January or February of the JK year. EA support is not automatic, so ask for an IPRC review before year-end. Confirm the IEP handoff, arrange a spring school visit, and ask when the Grade 1 IEP review will happen. With 71,263 children waiting for OAP funding, school supports carry more weight.
January-February (JK year): Begin the transition conversation with the current classroom teacher and SERT. Identify what supports are in place (EA, AOP consultant, communication system, sensory accommodations) and which must continue in Grade 1. March (JK year): Request a formal transition meeting including the receiving school's SERT if possible. Confirm the documents that must transfer: IEP, safety plan, sensory profile, communication plan, and FBA if it exists.
March-April (JK year): Request an IPRC review to document the supports needed for Grade 1. This is the process that formally authorizes EA allocation. Do not wait until September. May-June (JK year): Arrange a visit to the Grade 1 classroom or school with your child. Bring a familiar adult and familiar supports. Some schools allow a brief meet-and-greet with the incoming teacher.
September (start of Grade 1): Confirm the IEP is in place, EA allocation is confirmed, and the receiving SERT has the full support package. Ask the school to confirm the IEP review date in writing.
These documents are part of the Ontario Student Record (OSR) and must follow your child to Grade 1. Ask the current SERT to confirm each one will be included: IEP (Individual Education Plan) — annual goals, accommodations, transition planning. Safety plan — if one exists under PPM 140 for behaviour management.
Sensory profile — documented sensory needs and environmental modifications. Communication plan — especially important if your child uses AAC or a communication system. Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) — if one has been completed. IPRC statement — the formal identification and placement decision.
What schools cannot do: A school cannot informally suggest delaying Grade 1 based on developmental concerns related to autism without a formal IPRC placement process. If this happens, request an IPRC immediately and document the suggestion in writing.
EA support is not automatically carried forward from kindergarten to Grade 1. EA allocation is based on a needs assessment that informs each placement decision. Even if your child had an EA in JK, the Grade 1 school must conduct its own needs assessment. To protect continuity, request an IPRC review well before the end of the school year — ideally by March or April — so that the EA requirement is formally documented in the new placement decision before September.
The IEP travels with the student — it is part of the Ontario Student Record (OSR) and must be transferred with the student to the new school or grade. However, it must be reviewed and updated by the receiving school within 30 school days of the new school year starting. This update should involve the parent.
Connect with the receiving school's SERT in the spring — ideally April or May — before the transition. Share the IEP, sensory profile, communication system details, and any known triggers. If changing schools, the current principal should contact the receiving principal directly to ensure the support package transfers without gap.
Education Act (Ontario)
IPRC placement decisions and parental rights
PPM 140
Provincial behaviour management policy — safety plans
Ontario Student Record
Required transfer of IEP and supporting documents
Ontario autistic children have legal rights to an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Learn what schools must provide under the Education Act and Ontario Regulation 181/98.
How the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) works for autistic students in Ontario. Understand your rights under Ontario Regulation 181/98.
IEP accommodations for autistic students in Ontario high school — OSSD, accommodations vs modifications, co-op, and post-secondary transition.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Can autistic students get an educational assistant (EA)?
Schools may assign EAs based on IEP needs, but 47% of families report insufficient supports. EA availability varies by board and often fails to match clinical needs, leaving many autistic students without necessary classroom support.
Source: Ontario Education Act & OAC · Verify Link
Can my child get an IEP without an autism diagnosis?
You do NOT need a formal medical diagnosis to get an IEP (Individual Education Plan) in Ontario schools. Write to your principal requesting an IPRC meeting, state you have a 'medical referral in progress,' and focus on identifying your child's needs rather than diagnostic labels.
Source: Ontario Education Act
Can I request a safety plan for my autistic child?
Yes. If your child is a flight risk or has safety concerns, you can formally request a "Safety Plan" as part of their IEP. This document outlines supervision ratios, transition protocols, and emergency responses. It is a critical legal document for accountability.
Source: Policy/Program Memorandum 140/156
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate