Budget 2026: $965M budgeted, 69,166 children still waiting. Read our analysis →

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

What is section 265(1)(m) of Ontario's Education Act?

Section 265(1)(m) of Ontario's Education Act allows a principal to "refuse to admit to the school or classroom a person whose presence in the principal's judgment would be detrimental to the physical or mental well-being of the pupils." Unlike suspension, this exclusion has no time limit, no documentation requirement, no mandatory alternative supports, and no equivalent procedural safeguards. ARCH Disability Law Centre argues it was never intended to apply to students.

Source: Ontario Education Act, R.S.O. 1990; ARCH Disability Law Centre "Invented Power" (2017)

What rights do parents have if their child is excluded from school in Ontario?

Parents can: (1) request written reasons for any exclusion, (2) appeal s.265(1)(m) exclusions to the school board, (3) request an IPRC meeting under Regulation 181/98, (4) cite the OHRC Policy on Accessible Education requiring accommodation to undue hardship, (5) file an HRTO complaint for discrimination in education services, (6) contact the Ontario Ombudsman. The Supreme Court in Moore v. BC (2012 SCC 61) held special education is "not a dispensable luxury."

Source: OHRC Policy on Accessible Education (2018); Moore v. British Columbia, 2012 SCC 61

A child at a classroom desk in warm light, seen from behind

Education Rights

Behaviour & Safety Plans in Ontario Schools

When behaviour is a documented barrier to learning, Ontario schools must respond with a formal plan, not informal exclusions or unstructured responses.

The rights these families hold

Ontario law requires documented responses to behaviour, not informal exclusions.

Registered

Children registered

Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Funded

Have active funding

Only 23% of registered children

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Waiting

Still waiting

Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Verified June 13, 2026 , MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Share these numbers

Quick Summary

If behaviour is a barrier to your child's learning, the IEP must address it, and a formal behaviour support plan is typically required.
Plans should be developed with qualified professionals (BCBA, school psychologist) and documented in writing.
Ontario's PPM 149 restricts physical restraint and prohibits seclusion as a behavioural intervention.
Review the plan at minimum once per term, or immediately after any incident that involves physical intervention.

How to Create a Behaviour Support Plan

1
Request a School Support Team (SST) meeting
Ask the principal in writing to convene the school's support team. If urgency is documented, this should occur within 5 school days. Put your request in email.
2
Involve the right professionals
Ask for a BCBA, school psychologist, or special education consultant to be part of the process. If your child works with a clinical team externally, request that their input be considered.
3
Document the plan in writing
Ensure the behaviour support plan is attached to or formally referenced in the IEP. Verbal plans are unenforceable. Every commitment must be written.
4
Schedule regular reviews
Behaviour plans must be reviewed at minimum once per term, or after any serious incident. Request that the review schedule be written into the plan itself.

Behaviour Plans: Common Questions

: Yes, if behaviour is documented as a barrier to learning. Under Ontario's Education Act and related policy, the IEP must address identified behaviour needs. If your child's behaviour impacts their ability to participate in school, request that this be addressed in writing through the IEP process.

: Ideally, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) or school psychologist in consultation with parents. Schools may use internal special education staff. If your child receives ABA services through the Ontario Autism Program, their clinical team may be able to contribute to or review the school's plan.

: Ontario's PPM 149 (Behaviour, Discipline and Safety of Pupils with Special Needs) significantly restricts physical restraint and prohibits seclusion as a behaviour intervention. Any behaviour support plan must comply with PPM 149. If your child's plan involves physical intervention, request the specific policy justification in writing.

Next Steps

Understanding the System Is the First Step

Now that you know how it works, here's how to navigate it for your child.

Explore Resources Estimate Your Wait

About This Article

Written by:Spencer Carroll - Founder & Autism AdvocateParent of autistic child navigating OAP system

Featured in CBC News Investigation

FOI Data Verified

Clip in WHO Social Media Reel

Active HRTO Advocacy

FAO & Legislative Assembly Cited

Where do you start?

Choose your path

The quickest routes to diagnosis guidance, evidence, practical support, and advocacy.

Not sure where to start?

Answer a few questions — get your personalized next steps

Just diagnosed?

First steps after an autism diagnosis

Already waiting?

What to do while on the waitlist

See the data

FOI-backed charts, methods, and evidence

Want change?

Write your MPP in 5 minutes

Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario (2024)Verified: 2024-01-01

89,799, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13

1 in 50, According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis

Gov / Peer-ReviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified: 2024-03-26

23%, Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13

WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement

Gov / Peer-ReviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified: 2023-11-15

View our methodology View all sourcesNext data update: 2026-09-10

Can I request a safety plan for my autistic child?

Source: Policy/Program Memorandum 140/156

What is section 265(1)(m) of Ontario's Education Act?

Source: Ontario Education Act, R.S.O. 1990; ARCH Disability Law Centre "Invented Power" (2017)

What rights do parents have if their child is excluded from school in Ontario?

Source: OHRC Policy on Accessible Education (2018); Moore v. British Columbia, 2012 SCC 61

Education Rights

Behaviour & Safety Plans in Ontario Schools

When behaviour is a documented barrier to learning, Ontario schools must respond with a formal plan, not informal exclusions or unstructured responses.

The rights these families hold

Ontario law requires documented responses to behaviour, not informal exclusions.

Registered

Children registered

Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Funded

Have active funding

Only 23% of registered children

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Waiting

Still waiting

Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.

MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Verified June 13, 2026 , MCCSS FOI · Mar 2026

Share these numbers

Quick Summary

If behaviour is a barrier to your child's learning, the IEP must address it, and a formal behaviour support plan is typically required.
Plans should be developed with qualified professionals (BCBA, school psychologist) and documented in writing.
Ontario's PPM 149 restricts physical restraint and prohibits seclusion as a behavioural intervention.
Review the plan at minimum once per term, or immediately after any incident that involves physical intervention.

How to Create a Behaviour Support Plan

1
Request a School Support Team (SST) meeting
Ask the principal in writing to convene the school's support team. If urgency is documented, this should occur within 5 school days. Put your request in email.
2
Involve the right professionals
Ask for a BCBA, school psychologist, or special education consultant to be part of the process. If your child works with a clinical team externally, request that their input be considered.
3
Document the plan in writing
Ensure the behaviour support plan is attached to or formally referenced in the IEP. Verbal plans are unenforceable. Every commitment must be written.
4
Schedule regular reviews
Behaviour plans must be reviewed at minimum once per term, or after any serious incident. Request that the review schedule be written into the plan itself.

Behaviour Plans: Common Questions

: Yes, if behaviour is documented as a barrier to learning. Under Ontario's Education Act and related policy, the IEP must address identified behaviour needs. If your child's behaviour impacts their ability to participate in school, request that this be addressed in writing through the IEP process.

: Ideally, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) or school psychologist in consultation with parents. Schools may use internal special education staff. If your child receives ABA services through the Ontario Autism Program, their clinical team may be able to contribute to or review the school's plan.

: Ontario's PPM 149 (Behaviour, Discipline and Safety of Pupils with Special Needs) significantly restricts physical restraint and prohibits seclusion as a behaviour intervention. Any behaviour support plan must comply with PPM 149. If your child's plan involves physical intervention, request the specific policy justification in writing.

Next Steps

Understanding the System Is the First Step

Now that you know how it works, here's how to navigate it for your child.

Explore Resources Estimate Your Wait

About This Article

Written by:Spencer Carroll - Founder & Autism AdvocateParent of autistic child navigating OAP system

Featured in CBC News Investigation

FOI Data Verified

Clip in WHO Social Media Reel

Active HRTO Advocacy

FAO & Legislative Assembly Cited

Where do you start?

Choose your path

The quickest routes to diagnosis guidance, evidence, practical support, and advocacy.

Not sure where to start?

Answer a few questions — get your personalized next steps

Just diagnosed?

First steps after an autism diagnosis

Already waiting?

What to do while on the waitlist

See the data

FOI-backed charts, methods, and evidence

Want change?

Write your MPP in 5 minutes

Verified Facts

Facts cited on this page

Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)

Gov / Peer-ReviewedGovernment of Ontario (2024)Verified: 2024-01-01

89,799, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13

1 in 50, According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis

Gov / Peer-ReviewedPublic Health Agency of Canada (2024)Verified: 2024-03-26

23%, Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four

SecondaryCBC FOI Jan 2026Verified: 2026-06-13

WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement

Gov / Peer-ReviewedWorld Health Organization (2023)Verified: 2023-11-15

View our methodology View all sourcesNext data update: 2026-09-10

Metric	Value
Children registered	89,799
Have active funding	20,633
Still waiting	69,166