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Whatever your school problem is, one habit multiplies your leverage: everything in writing. Verbal promises have no date, no owner, and no appeal. Written records survive staff changes, refresh memories, and are what every escalation route — superintendent, Ombudsman, tribunal — will ask you for. The pattern is simple: after every call or hallway conversation, send a short email confirming your understanding and asking them to correct it in writing if it differs. Log incidents the day they happen. Save everything, dated, in one place. You are not being difficult; you are being accurate.
Start the incident log today
Use the log on this site (it stays on your device) or any dated notebook. Consistency beats perfection.
Confirm your last conversation
Send the written-confirmation letter for the most recent verbal conversation about your child — today, while you remember it.
Ask for responses in writing
End every request with: "Please reply in writing." It sets the norm.
One folder, everything dated
Email folder or binder — one place, chronological, with dates on everything.
Thank you for the conversation. So we have a shared record, I will send a short email confirming my understanding of what we discussed — if anything differs from your understanding, please reply in writing within five business days. Going forward, please confirm decisions about my child in writing.
Answer four short questions and the Navigator generates this topic's letter with your details filled in, your incident chronology attached, and every legal reference cited — in Plain or Firm tone.
Build my plan and lettersThis habit is the foundation for every rung of the ladder — start here whatever the problem.
See the full escalation ladderSOURCE
Ontario Human Rights Commission • 2018-03-01
SOURCE
Government of Ontario • 2024-01-01
Last updated: 2026-07-04
Verified Facts
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)
89,799, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
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
23%, Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement