Autism Program
Autism Spectrum Disorder Program (ASDP) at Ottawa Technical S.S.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Program (ASDP) is a dynamic, student focused program that aims to teach and support students in developing functional academic and life skills.
Classes consist of a maximum of 6 students with an ASDP teacher and two educational assistants who track progress, provide support, and are the primary contact with parents/guardians. Our ASDP students take a combination of the following non-credit courses: World of Work, Functional Literacy, Functional Numeracy, Personal Life Skills, Physical Education, Exploring My World, and a variety of other classes depending on scheduling opportunities. Student programming is outlined in their IEP, which consists of classes and expectations. The ASDP is a non-credit program and the students graduate with a Certificate of Accomplishment.
Community outings and Experiential Learning are a key element of the program. Upon graduation,our students are expected to generalize the skills that they have mastered across several domains; part-time employment, volunteering or participation in some form of supported day program. For example: students develop community safety skills focusing on; sidewalk and street traffic safety, expected social and safety skills to participate in recreational activities such as swimming and skating, daily living skills like walking safely to a local food and drink vendor to learn, master and generalize skills required for ordering, paying for, and then eating a snack while practicing socialization skills with peers and adults.
In compliance with the Ministry of Education's Policy/Program Memoranda 140 and 156, Behaviour and communication skill development are a focus of the program. Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) strategies are incorporated into programming to support students’ academic needs and to promote expected and positive behaviours while fading and extinguishing interfering behaviours. In consultation with and the support of a Speech Language Pathologist, programming is developed to advance student communication skills.
The classroom teacher and school board based professionals assist with transition planning and are responsible for IEP development and a yearly IPRC meeting. The Service Coordination Support Website is a good starting point for transition planning. If you have questions, need copies of documents or require support, please connect with your child's homeroom teacher.
Links and references: OCDSB Autism Program outline
General Learning Program
The General Learning Program (GLP) is a system-based program for students who have a mild intellectual disability. This program is available at 3 OCDSB sites, OTSS, Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School and Woodroffe High School. An application package is completed by the parents along with the referring school and sent to the OCDSB requesting a placement in GLP. A central committee at the Board reviews the package and determines the appropriate placement for the student.
The focus on the General Learning Program at OTSS is to develop functional academic skills, life skills, and employability skills to maximize each student’s level of independence. Each student’s needs are addressed specifically on their Individual Education Plan.
In each class there is a maximum of 16 students, taught by a Special Education Teacher and an Educational Assistant. At OTSS there are 5 classes; Junior (14-16), Intermediate (17-18) and Senior (19-21). Courses of study include Literacy, Numeracy, Social Skills, Living Skills, Science, Physical Education, and the World of Work. At OTSS the focus is placed on preparing each student for work. The preparation begins in 9th grade with the ‘Take Our Kid to Work’ initiative, followed by Work Experience in the intermediate years and Co-op placements in the senior years.
Assessment is reported four times per year using Alternative Reports; November, January, April and June. The students in the General Learning Program are fully integrated within the OTSS community and participate in all school-based activities.
Physical Support Program
We are the students of the Physical Support Unit. We have dedicated Teachers and Educational Assistants who offer us a program to develop our abilities in the areas of personal growth, academics, physical education and work skills. We have such classes as English, Math, Computer Media, Art, Vocational Skills, Social Skills and Science. We develop our employability and volunteer potential by doing contract work, volunteer work, both in in-school and out-of-school work experience, and co-op placements. Like all of the students at OTLC, we are encouraged to follow and persist in our own interests but, we must face the challenge of independence with even more determination, due to our multiple exceptionalities, such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida Visual Impairment, and Hearing Impairment.
Web Links:
OCDSB Physical Support Fact Sheet
Neil Squire Society - we use technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with physical disabilities
Reach Canada - lawyer referral and educational services for citizens with disabilities
Volunteer Ottawa - Supported Program for People with Physical or Sensory Disabilities brochure