Without a diagnosis

There are many steps that must be followed before a student receives an IEP. "Providing accommodations to students is the first option considered for program support in all TDSB schools. Most students can be appropriately supported in the regular classroom setting" (TDSB Special Education Plan, 2019, p. 34).

1. Discuss with the classroom teacher what Tier 1 accommodations he/she/they can provide your child to support improvement.

2. If after those strategies have been implemented and they don't work, then the teacher will refer the student to the In-School Team (IST) for recommendations: "Referral to an IST presupposes that sound classroom instruction based on successful practice for all students, (including principles of Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction), has been unsuccessful for the student whose needs are being discussed" (p. 99).

3. The IST may recommend one or all of the following through an Individual Learning Plan (ILP):

• further in-class accommodations (without an IEP)

• support through the Guidance and/or Student Success Departments

• support by the Child & Youth Worker (CYW)

4) If after all the IST recommendations are exhausted, the IST will reconvene to determine whether Special Education support is required. An IEP might be recommended at this point.

5) If an IEP is not recommended by the IST, then a referral to the Student Support Team (SST) will be made for further review. "Referral to the SST enables the concerns about the student to be discussed by a broader team of representatives from Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Attendance Counselling, Speech-Language Pathology, Child and Youth Services, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and students over 16 years of age are invited to attend" (p. 99).

With a diagnosis

A diagnosis of a learning disability, ADHD, Autism, etc., does not immediately prompt the development of an IEP. Special Education Services are provided based on need, not on diagnosis. A student must have been demonstrating learning needs over a significant period of time across all curricula in order to get an IEP. An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and UDL best teaching practices may be all the student needs to achieve success.