IPRCs and IEPs

Helping Your Child While Waiting for an Identification | How to Get Special Education Help for Your Child | Understanding the IPRC and IEP Process

How to Get Special Education Help for Your Child

You Are Not Alone... How to Get Special Education Help for Your Child

The Education Act in Ontario guarantees your child's right to an appropriate education, regardless of any difficulties or special needs. As a parent, you have an important role as an advocate in ensuring that your child receives an appropriate education.

The Process:

If you believe that your child would benefit from special education, write to your child's school principal requesting that your child be referred to an Identification, Placement Review Committee (I.P.R.C.). You may be requested to sign a form giving permission for a psychological assessment.

When the I.P.R.C. is called, be sure that you attend. First read your school board's Parent's Guide to Special Education. Try and get hold of a copy of Still Putting the Pieces Together, LDAO's parent's guide to special education. It might be very helpful in preparing you for this complex process. Prepare for the I.P.R.C. by writing down what you want.

The I.P.R.C. will decide whether your child is "exceptional," and the category and definition of the identified exceptionality. It will also decide the strengths and needs or the student, and what placement will best meet his/her needs. There may also be discussion and recommendations for special education programs and services.

It is advisable not to sign the form at the I.P.R.C. meeting so that you can be quite sure that you really know what the school board is offering to your child and that you agree.

If you are not sure that you support the I.P.R.C. decision you may have a further meeting with the Committee to discuss their recommendations.

If you don't agree with the I.P.R.C. decision, you have the right to appeal. Your notice of appeal must be sent to the Director of Education within 15 days of receiving the I.P.R.C. decision. You can appeal identification and placement, but not program.

Once your child is in a special education placement, you can request a review after three months. An annual review is mandated by law. It is important to attend the review even if you are quite happy with what is happening.

Each exceptional child must have a written Individual Educational Plan. Be sure that you know what is in your child's plan.

The process is complex but it works. Remember, the Learning Disabilities Association is here to help every step of the way. You are not alone!

You are welcome to contact us for information and support.

Provincial Demonstration Schools

The Ministry of Education provides the services of four provincial Demonstration Schools for Ontario children with severe learning disabilities.

These schools are the following:

Amethyst School, 1090 Highbury Avenue, London, Ontario, N5Y 4V9 -- Tel.: (519) 453-4408 / Fax: (519) 453-2160

Centre Jules-Léger, 281 rue Lanark, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Z 6R8 -- Tel.: (613) 761-9300 / Fax: (613) 761-9301 / TTY: (613) 761-9302 and 761-9304

Sagonaska School, 350 Dundas Street West, Belleville, Ontario, K8P 1B2 -- Tel.: (613) 967-2830 / Fax: (613) 967-2482

Trillium School, 347 Ontario Street South, Milton, Ontario, L9T 3X9 -- Tel.: (905) 878-8428 / Fax: (905) 878-7540

Reprinted with additions from: http://ldao.ca/about_ld/articles/education/nahtsped.html