Direct answer
The Ontario Education Act applies to all publicly funded school boards. Catholic school families have the same IEP, EA, and IPRC rights as public school families, and the same escalation paths when supports fall short. TCDSB serves approximately 84,000 students across 198 schools.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is a publicly funded institution and must follow all provincial special education legislation. A Catholic school context adds faith-informed pastoral care — it does not reduce the board's obligations under the Ontario Education Act.
Individual Education Plan (IEP): A written plan outlining annual goals, accommodations, and transition planning. Must be developed with parent input within 30 school days of identification. Updated at least annually.
IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee): Formal committee identifying a student as exceptional, setting placement, reviewing annually. Parents attend, may bring a support person, and may appeal within 30 days. Process is identical to public boards.
EA/CYW: Educational Assistant support is allocated based on needs assessment. TCDSB also uses Child and Youth Workers (CYWs) as additional in-school support staff for students with complex needs.
SERT: Each TCDSB school has a Special Education Resource Teacher who co-ordinates special education programming and communicates with families.
OHRC accommodation: Disability accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code applies equally in Catholic schools. Religious accommodation and disability accommodation are separate obligations — one does not supersede the other.
Contact your school's SERT by email. State that your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and that you are requesting an IEP and a needs assessment for EA support. Keep a copy of all correspondence.
Request an IPRC meeting if your child has not been formally identified. The IPRC sets placement and the foundation for supports.
Participate actively in IEP development. Bring documentation from outside therapists, physicians, or psychologists to inform IEP goals.
If supports are denied or inadequate, contact the TCDSB Superintendent of Special Education and copy SEAC. Email: specialeducation@tcdsb.org
If discrimination is occurring, file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. A faith-based school board context does not provide immunity from the Human Rights Code.
Ontario Education Act
Applies equally to publicly funded Catholic and public school boards
TCDSB
specialeducation@tcdsb.org — Special Education contact
OHRC
Ontario Human Rights Code Policy on accessible education
Autism support in Toronto District School Board: IEP, EA, IPRC, PPM 140, SEAC, and escalation when school support falls short.
Autism support in Ottawa-Carleton District School Board — IEP, EA, Autism Support Program, IPRC, and French school board context in Ottawa.
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.
What rights do autistic students have in Ontario schools?
In Ontario, students with autism have the right to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and reasonable accommodations without a formal diagnosis, based on need. Parents can request an IPRC meeting to identify their child as 'exceptional', guaranteeing specific rights to support services.
Source: Ontario Education Act · Verify Link
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
What autism support does TDSB provide?
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) provides Special Education support including Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Educational Assistants, and Autism Resource Teams. You do NOT need an OAP funding letter to access school support. Detailed IPRC meetings determine placement in regular class with withdrawal support or specialized intensive support programs (ISP).
Source: TDSB Special Education Plan
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate