Special Needs
The Special Needs Program exists to support parents who decide to teach their special needs children at home in a nurturing environment where they can receive individual care.
Qualified special needs teachers work with families, special education assistants, and other relevant professionals to build a unique program that will help meet each child’s learning needs, giving them confidence and joy in learning.
TLA has qualified and caring special needs teachers on staff to assist with developing an individualized program that will help to address your child’s specific needs.
Special Needs Program Information
Assessments
Assessments are contracted privately with various local professionals. Parents may apply to have TLA pay for some of these assessments either through a special education grant or learning assistance funding.
There is a waitlist for parents of learning assistance students for professional assessments and this is applied for through your TLA teacher.
Special Needs Online Classroom
Families whose children are enrolled with TLA have access to our unique special needs online classroom, Special Needs Central, which provides valuable information on the following:
- Suggested Special Needs Curriculum & Resources
- Special Needs Handbook for Parents
- Checklist assessment tools
- Descriptions of different disabilities and how to help support them
- Special Needs parent support forum
- Effective teaching strategies
- Helpful website links
Special Education Grants FAQ:
Who qualifies?
Students with the following conditions may be eligible for TLA to apply for additional special education funding to support their educational programs:
- Physically dependent, deaf/blind
- Moderate to profound intellectual disability
- Chronic health (eg. Nervous system impairment, musculoskeletal condition that seriously impacts education),
- Visually impaired
- Deaf/hearing impaired
- Autistic
- Intensive Behaviour Intervention/Serious Mental Illness
BC Ministry of Education website: Categories and Levels of Special Education Funding
What help does TLA provide for students who are eligible for a special education grant?
- Teachers that meet regularly with families and provide informative feedback to families
- Support programs for students e.g. help with access to speech/language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists etc.
- Dynamic individualized education plans (IEPs)
- Access to effective resources to support your child’s program
- Regular team meetings with support staff and families to assist with ongoing assessment and program development
- Information and application for special education government grants and management of the expenditure of these funds
- Engaging adapted programs and courses, even for Grade 10-12 courses via the GAP (hyperlink)
- Special Education Lending Library of resources
What is the application process for a special education grant?
- Parent/teacher informs the Special Needs Coordinator that a child may be eligible for a special education grant
- Special Needs Coordinator contacts the family
- Family submits documentation or arranges for professional assessments
- Special Needs Coordinator & teacher develops an Individual Education Plan & budget in consultation with parents
- TLA submits an application for special education funding to the Ministry of Education
- Notification is made to the parents of approval/rejection by the Ministry of Education
When is the application deadline for special education government grants?
- Pre- Approval 1st week in May: For existing students & new students who have all their documentation submitted.
- Fall Applications 1st week in October: For new applications or appeals for pre-approval decisions
- Mid Year Application 1st week in February: For late enrolling students or new diagnoses
Who qualifies for learning assistance?
Some students have significant learning needs, but do not qualify for additional funding from the Ministry of Education.
These include students in the following categories:
- English as a Second Language
- Speech and Language Difficulties
- Learning Disabilities including Severe Learning Disabilities
- Behavioral and emotional challenges
What help does TLA provide for students who need learning assistance?
- Access to adapted resources to help meet your child’s learning needs
- Assistance with referral to professional assessments
- Academic assessment
- Consultation with Learning Assistance teacher for counsel and advice and assistance with developing an individualized education plan when required