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Guide
An Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) is a formal process under Ontario Regulation 181/98 where a school board committee identifies your child's exceptionality and determines the most appropriate placement. While an IEP can be created without an IPRC, formal identification provides additional legal protections and access to specialized resources. For autistic students, requesting an IPRC can be an important step in securing appropriate support.
Send the principal a written request to refer your child to an IPRC. The principal must follow the school board's process to arrange the meeting and, within 15 days, give you an acknowledgement, the school board's special education guide for parents, and a written estimate of when the IPRC will meet.
The IPRC will review all available information about your child. Submit copies of the autism diagnostic assessment, any clinical assessments, therapy progress reports, previous IEPs, report cards, and your own observations. The more comprehensive the documentation, the more informed the IPRC decision will be. Request that the school include its own assessment data.
The IPRC identifies students under specific exceptionality categories. For autistic students, the relevant category is "Communication — Autism." The IPRC will also determine the most appropriate placement: regular class with indirect support, regular class with resource assistance, regular class with withdrawal assistance, special education class, or special education school.
You have the right to attend the IPRC meeting, bring a support person or advocate, present information, and participate in the discussion. The IPRC must consider your input. Present your priorities for your child's education and explain what supports they need. Ask questions about the proposed identification and placement. Request clarification on anything you do not understand.
The IPRC will provide a written statement of decision that includes your child's identified exceptionality and recommended placement. You will be asked to consent to the decision. If you agree, sign and return the consent form. If you disagree, you can request a second IPRC meeting within 15 days or appeal to a Special Education Appeal Board within 30 days.
Once the IPRC identification is finalized, the school must develop or update the IEP to be consistent with the IPRC recommendations. The IEP must be completed within 30 school days of placement. Review the updated IEP to ensure it includes appropriate accommodations, modifications, and supports aligned with the IPRC identification.
Ontario Ministry of Education
Ontario Regulation 181/98: Identification and Placement of Exceptional Pupils (ontario.ca/laws)
Ontario Ministry of Education
Special Education in Ontario: Policy and Resource Guide, Section C — IPRC Process
No. Ontario schools can create an IEP for any student who needs accommodations or modifications, without formal IPRC identification. However, an IPRC provides formal legal protections under Ontario Regulation 181/98, including the right to appeal placement decisions and mandatory annual reviews.
No. Under Ontario Regulation 181/98, the principal must refer your written request to an IPRC within 15 days. The school cannot refuse or delay a parent-initiated IPRC request. If you encounter resistance, put your request in writing, reference the regulation, and copy the school board special education department.
The IPRC must be reviewed at least once per school year unless the parent provides written notice that they do not want an annual review. Parents can also request a review at any time after the initial placement has been in effect for three months. The review follows the same process as the initial IPRC meeting.
Next Steps
Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.
Related Resources
How long do families wait for Ontario autism services?
VerifiedOntario autism wait times for core clinical services now exceed 5+ years (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). Funding invitations are currently reaching families who registered in August 2021 (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 (reported from community intake)). This delay far exceeds the sensitive early intervention window recommended by developmental specialists.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
VerifiedAs of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?
VerifiedYes. The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) determined that $1.35 billion annually is needed to serve all registered children at 2018-19 service levels. The 2026-27 Ontario Budget allocated $965 million, leaving an estimated $385M+ annual shortfall. This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 91,974+ child waitlist.
Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] · Verify Link