A program that helps children on the autism spectrum prepare for the classroom is entering its fourth year.
The Entry to School Program includes facilitators and specialists helping children reach developmental milestones and get ready for school in Hastings County.
“Starting school is a the big milestone, and we just don’t want families to feel like they’re doing this transition alone,” says Senior Program Manager Nicole Beaudin.
Beaudin said after drop-off, there is routine structure that includes free play geared towards interest.
A supervisory team made up of a speech and language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and a behavior analyst support the registered early childhood educators with a range of activities.
The next co-hort begins in February. It will be offered three-days-a-week from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays over six months.
To participate, children must be ages three to six and registered in the Ontario Autism Program.
The initiative has assisted 14 children in the Hastings County area out of the ACT Learning Centre in Bancroft.
“It is a reduced ratio due to the high needs,” explained Beaudin.
Children taking part in the entry to school program have also received additional transitional support depending on their assessed needs.
“We make sure that the family and the school are set up for success and have all the connections that they need to make sure that that child has a smooth transition and they have all the tools and strategies in place to support that child.”
Having a program site located in the northern part of the county has allowed for greater access to the resources offered out of the ACT Learning Centre in Bancroft.
Previously, families had to make their way out to Belleville or Peterborough to access the same service.
“It’s way too difficult for families with children to travel (that distance),” said Beaudin. “It’s not feasible, and they wouldn’t be able to utilize this program if it wasn’t local.”
Beaudin adds there are additional supports through the centre for children without autism.
Anyone who would like more information on how to register can apply through the ACT Learning Centre to go to North Hastings Children’s Services website.
