Ontario Autism Program: entry to school program

Overview The entry to school program helps children develop school-readiness skills and provides transition supports as they enter kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time.

The program includes two main parts. The first part is a 6-month, half-day group-based, skill-building program, focused on helping children develop school-readiness skills in six areas:

Communication – such as, conversation, expressing wants and needs, understanding words and language, social communication, and non-verbal communication Play – such as, toy exploration, and engaging in group play/games Social interaction – such as, understanding of social boundaries, interactions with peers, and learning new behaviours by observing/imitating peers Functional routines – such as, following classroom routines, and self-help skills such as dressing and toilet training Behavioural self-management – such as, emotional regulation and being able to wait their turn Pre-academics, learning and attention – such as, developing new learning skills, working within a group setting, and independent work The group-based program is delivered by multi-disciplinary staff with expertise in:

Autism Spectrum Disorder applied behaviour analysis speech-language pathology occupational therapy early childhood development Children will participate in the group program 6 months before their school start date. The entry to school program usually starts in March each year to prepare children to start school in September. Some service providers will offer the 6-month group program twice per year, typically beginning in either March or September.

After completing the group-based part of the program, children start the second part of the program, which provides them with individual transition supports as they enter school. Families and educators can access consultation services from entry to school program staff, as needed, during a child’s first 6 months in school.

The program is offered free of charge and is available in English and French. Interpretation services for other languages will be available as needed.

Eligibility To participate in the entry to school program, your child must be:

registered in the Ontario Autism Program between three to six years old as of December 31 in the year they are starting school starting kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time Some children are not eligible for the entry to school program, including children:

who are receiving core clinical services who have already started attending school Children who are in the entry to school program can receive other Ontario Autism Program supports (other than OAP core clinical services), special needs supports and/or early intervention programs at the same time. For example, your child can receive foundational family services or urgent response services at the same time as the entry to school program.

Register If your child is eligible for the entry to school program, you will be invited to register for the program. You need an invitation to register for the program.

Your invitation will come through email, mail or AccessOAP’s family portal. Please contact the service provider listed in your invitation to ask questions about the program and to register. You must register with the service provider listed in your invitation.