New here? Start with our 2-minute guide to OAP registration , no sign-up required.
What rights do autistic students have in Ontario schools?
VerifiedIn 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 my child get an IEP without an autism diagnosis?
VerifiedYou 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)?
VerifiedSchools 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
Public Board
Special education and autism accommodation resources for families in London.
Contact the school principal in writing. The school must convene an IEP team meeting within 30 days of your written request. Be specific about which goals or accommodations you want reviewed.
If the school does not resolve the issue, contact the board's Special Education department or Superintendent of Education directly. Reference your written correspondence with the school.
The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a public body that meets regularly and accepts public input. Depute at a SEAC meeting to raise systemic concerns at the board level.
If accommodation is denied or the board is unresponsive, file a formal complaint with the board's superintendent. If the pattern continues, file with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) under the duty to accommodate.
You can request an IEP in writing to your child's principal or classroom teacher at any time. Under the Ontario Education Act, the school must develop an IEP within 30 school days of a student being formally identified as exceptional. Even without a formal IPRC identification, teachers can create an IEP on a voluntary basis. Document your request in writing and keep a copy.
The IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) is a formal panel that determines whether your child is "exceptional" under Ontario law and recommends a placement. The school must convene an IPRC within 30 school days of receiving a written request from a parent or guardian. TVDSB must notify you of the meeting at least 10 days in advance. You have the right to attend, present information, and appeal the decision.
No. Educational Assistants (EAs) at TVDSB are allocated based on overall classroom and school need, not assigned individually to students. A single EA often supports multiple students. If your child's IEP indicates they require EA support, the school must provide it, but the form (individual vs. shared) is determined by the principal. If you believe allocation is inadequate, escalate in writing to the Superintendent of Education.
TVDSB offers a continuum of placements: (1) regular class with indirect support (consultation only), (2) regular class with resource assistance (pull-out support), (3) regular class with withdrawal assistance, (4) special education class with partial integration, (5) congregated ASD Classroom for students needing more intensive support, and (6) Section 23 programs for students with intensive needs. Most students with ASD attend their home school and are supported through the ASD Resource Program. The IPRC recommends placement; parents can accept or appeal.
You have 30 days from receiving the IPRC decision in writing to request a Special Education Appeal Board hearing. The Appeal Board is an independent three-member panel. If you disagree with the Appeal Board decision, you can apply to the Ontario Special Education Tribunal. Consider contacting ARCH Disability Law Centre or the Ontario Special Education Tribunal for free legal guidance before proceeding.
TVDSB's ASD Resource Program supports most students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in their home school through regular class placements. Resource teachers and consultants work with classroom staff to implement autism-specific strategies including visual supports, sensory accommodations, AAC devices, and structured teaching approaches. Parents can request involvement of an ASD resource consultant through the school's Resource Teacher or principal. For students who need more intensive support, TVDSB also operates congregated ASD Classroom placements.
TVDSB is required to address transition planning in the IEP for students aged 14 and older, covering post-secondary goals, community living, and employment. For the elementary-to-secondary transition, your child's current school coordinates with the receiving secondary school before the end of Grade 8. Request a transition meeting in January or February of Grade 8. Ensure the receiving school receives the full IEP and any behavioral support plans.
Yes. TVDSB SEAC meetings are open to the public. SEAC advises the TVDSB Board of Trustees on special education policy, programs, and budget. Meetings are typically held monthly and scheduled on the TVDSB website. Attending SEAC is one of the most effective ways for parents to influence system-level decisions. You can also contact member organizations (e.g., Autism Ontario) who have SEAC representation.
TVDSB's ASD Resource Program is designed so that most students with Autism Spectrum Disorders attend their home school, supported in regular class placements. Understanding what the program can and cannot provide helps you make effective requests.
Principal → Superintendent of Education → Superintendent of Special Education → Director of Education → TVDSB Trustees → IPRC Appeal Board → Ontario Special Education Tribunal. Always escalate in writing and keep copies of all correspondence.
Related Education Resources
Next Steps
Now that you know how it works, here's how to navigate it for your child.
Evidence on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
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)
Keep going
One next step, the evidence behind it, and the page context—grouped instead of repeated.