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- planning guide for autistic children
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Ontario policy requires transition planning between grades for autistic students. If your child has an IEP, confirm that its transition plan records the goals, support needs, actions, responsible people, and timelines for the move to Grade 1.
Every school support in Ontario runs through the same sequence. Here is the order the steps come in.
Ten steps · four phases
This overview shows the order of the main routes. The detailed guide below explains what happens, what parents can request, and which records to keep at each stage.
Phase 01
Complete the clinical and transition work before the first school day.
Phase 02
Move from informal conversations to a documented placement and support plan.
Phase 03
Use the next formal route only when the school-level process has not resolved the issue.
Phase 04
Use the IEP transition plan to connect school with the path after secondary education.
About This Article
Published:
Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum 140 requires principals to ensure that a transition plan is in place for students with autism spectrum disorders and expressly includes transitions between grades.
For every student who has an IEP, Ontario policy requires a transition plan. Where the student requires support for the move to Grade 1, the plan must identify specific goals, support needs, required actions, responsible people, and timelines. Parents must be consulted in the development and review of the IEP.
Relevant school board and community personnel who previously worked or currently work with the student must be invited to provide input and participate in the IEP process. Ask the school to identify those people and record their responsibilities in the transition plan.
The IEP must be included in the Ontario Student Record. Ministry guidance says the working copy should replace the filed copy at the end of each school year or semester, or when the student transfers to another school.
If the child changes schools within Ontario, the Ontario Student Record transfers under the OSR guideline. Ask the current school to confirm that the current IEP is filed and ask the receiving school when staff will review the IEP and transition plan.
For each exceptional student, the principal must ensure that an IEP is developed within 30 school days from the start of the student's placement. Ontario policy does not set a separate deadline for the start of Grade 1.
An IPRC identifies exceptional pupils and decides placement. Parents may request an IPRC referral in writing, and identification and placement are reviewed at least once each school year unless the parent waives the review in writing.
An IPRC does not decide educational assistant staffing; the school board does. Ask the board to explain its staffing decision and how the services actually provided will be recorded in the IEP.
| Source | What it supports | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum 140 | Transition planning and IEP participation requirements for students with autism spectrum disorders | 2026-08-26 |
| Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum 156 | Transition plan requirements for students with special education needs | 2026-08-26 |
| Ontario Individual Education Plans | Required IEP contents, transition-plan elements, consultation, and completion timing | 2026-08-26 |
| Ontario Student Record guideline | IEP storage and Ontario Student Record transfer requirements | 2026-08-26 |
| Ontario identification and placement guidance | IPRC role, parent requests, and annual review requirements | 2026-08-26 |
| Guide to the 2026-2027 Special Education Fund | School board responsibility for classroom placement, programming, and staffing decisions | 2026-08-26 |
Where transition support is required, the IEP transition plan must identify specific goals, support needs, required actions, responsible people, and timelines. Parents must be consulted in the IEP's development and review.
The IEP must be included in the Ontario Student Record, and the OSR transfers under the provincial guideline when a student transfers to another school in Ontario. Ask the current school to confirm that the filed IEP is current.
For each exceptional student, the principal must ensure that an IEP is developed within 30 school days from the start of the student's placement. Ontario policy does not set a separate deadline for the start of Grade 1.
No. An IPRC decides identification and placement. The school board decides educational assistant staffing. Ask for the board's staffing decision and the services recorded in the IEP.
Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum 140
Transition planning and IEP participation requirements for students with autism spectrum disorders
Checked
Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum 156
Transition plan requirements for students with special education needs
Checked
Ontario Individual Education Plans
Required IEP contents, transition-plan elements, consultation, and completion timing
Checked
Ontario Student Record guideline
IEP storage and Ontario Student Record transfer requirements
Checked
Ontario identification and placement guidance
IPRC role, parent requests, and annual review requirements
Checked
Guide to the 2026-2027 Special Education Fund
School board responsibility for classroom placement, programming, and staffing decisions
Checked
The kindergarten-to-Grade 1 transition is the moment when school-based supports become the primary intervention. Plan early so there is no gap.
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: August 26, 2026.
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 autistic students get an educational assistant (EA)?
School boards may assign educational assistants (EAs) to autistic students based on needs identified through the IEP process. How EAs are allocated varies by board and school, so ask the principal how support is assigned for your child.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education — special education · Open source record
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Lived experience: Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system