Peel District School Board: IPRC, IEP and Autism Supports

PDSB says the Ministry requires an IEP for every student an IPRC identifies as exceptional, and that a student who needs special education programs or services but is not identified may also have one. To start, write to the principal. For a student placed in a program, the principal must make sure the IEP is finished and sent to a parent within 30 school days of placement (O. Reg. 181/98, s. 6(8)). PDSB sends the first draft electronically to the student's school email account. You can appeal an IPRC decision to a Special Education Appeal Board.

PDSB has moved away from naming its congregated classes after a diagnosis. Its Special Education Plan 2026-2027 says the board began moving to a Learning Hub model in 2025-2026, and that placement in a Learning Hub is based on the student’s portrait and required level of support, not on exceptionality (gifted and deaf and hard of hearing placements excepted). The Plan shows Learning Hub 6 replacing programs once named Primary Transition Program, Autism Spectrum Disorder Class and Developmental Disabilities-Autism Spectrum Disorder Class. Some Intermediate ASD programs are named Learning Hub 8 for one year. Older program names still appear on some web pages, so ask for the current name. An IPRC recommends placement. This page cannot say how many places there are or how long a place takes.

PPM 140 is a Ministry policy for every Ontario board, including PDSB. It sets the expectation that boards use ABA-based methods in programs for students with ASD where appropriate. It is not the same as private ABA therapy. PDSB’s Special Education Plan 2026-2027 says that, in line with PPM 140, students with ASD will receive ABA where necessary for the achievement of skills, regardless of their placement. For the staff roles that give ABA-informed advice, read the current Plan or ask Special Education Services, because role names can change from year to year.

Call the board main line, 905-890-1010 (or 1-800-668-1146), and ask for Special Education. PDSB's IEP page gives extension 2345 for SEAC meeting dates and member names. PDSB's Special Education page also links its Special Education Plan, IPRC and IEP parent guides, and Speech-Language Pathology page. Start with your child's principal for anything about your own child.

ErinoakKids says its School Based Rehabilitation Services are provided in partnership with school boards, with the goal of helping students take part in the school curriculum. It lists occupational therapy and physiotherapy consultation, and speech-language support in some cases. School boards make the referral, so speak with your child's school team. This page gives no wait times because Ontario publishes no regional wait times.

PDSB says an interpreter can be made available if you are not at ease using English for discussions about special education, and that it can provide braille, large print or audio communications. It lists its IPRC and IEP parent guides in many languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese. Ask for an interpreter in writing when you confirm your IPRC meeting.

Both boards must follow the Education Act and O. Reg. 181/98, so the IPRC, IEP and appeal steps are the same. Each board publishes its own Special Education Plan with its own programs and staff. Which board serves your child depends on where you live and the school you choose. Ask each board for its current plan and program list before you decide.

Every district school board must have a Special Education Advisory Committee (Education Act, s. 57.1(1)). PDSB's IEP page says to call 905-890-1010 (or 1-800-668-1146), extension 2345, for meeting dates and member names. It lists Autism Ontario, Peel Chapter among the groups with a seat. Families can contact a member group to raise a concern.