School Elopement Safety Ontario: Autism IEP Plans

Schools must notify parents immediately if a child elopes or has a close call.

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School Elopement Safety Ontario: Autism IEP Plans Elopement (also called wandering or bolting) is when a child leaves a safe area without permission or supervision. Schools must notify parents immediately if a child elopes or has a close call. Send a written request (email is best) for an immediate IEP meeting to address the safety failure. Request a written response within 5 business days. If the principal doesn't act, escalate to the school board's superintendent of special education. Read the guide www.endthewaitontario.com/school-elopement-safety

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Schools must notify parents immediately if a child elopes or has a close call. A short explainer with music and captions. 51 seconds.

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Under Ontario Regulation 181/98, an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) can place a student in a special education program. Once that placement starts, the principal has 30 school days to make sure an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is completed. Ministry policy (PPM 140) also lets boards write IEPs for students who have not been formally identified by an IPRC

Primary source Government of Ontario (1998) Verified 2026-10-04
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Last system verification: 2026-11-03. Next scheduled update: 2027-02-01.

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Written by Spencer Carroll

Founder & Autism Advocate

Lived experience: Parent of autistic child in the OAP system