School Support Program - Autism Spectrum Disorder (SSP-ASD) was launched through Ministry of Children and Youth Services in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the 9 Regional Autism Programs in Ontario. Thames Valley Children’s Centre is the Regional Autism Program provider in the South West.

The program allows school boards to access additional supports for educators to meet the needs of children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in both elementary and secondary school. The School Support Program does not provide direct service to children and youth with ASD. Services are provided in English and French to school boards.

The School Support Program - ASD will:
· Enhance the knowledge of school board staff with respect to the characteristics of students with ASD
· Enhance the knowledge and skills of school board staff with respect to principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), effective behavioural teaching strategies and other evidence based teaching strategies, and how they support children and youth with ASD
· Enhance linkages between schools, school boards and children’s agencies regarding issues pertaining to ASD.

SSP-ASD collaborates with each board to develop an individualized plan to meet their needs. The 4 components that are offered are planning, training, consultation and resource development.  The ASD Consultants work with school board teams, school teams and classroom teams.

The Thames Valley Children’s Centre SSP-ASD supports 12 school boards (10 English and 2 French speaking) and 2 Provincial and Demonstration Schools in the 10 counties of South Western Ontario. ASD Consultants provide service to:

Avon Maitland District School Board
Bluewater District School Board
Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board
Greater Essex County District School Board
Huron Perth Catholic District School Board
Lambton Kent District School Board
London District Catholic School Board
St. Clair Catholic District School Board
Thames Valley District School Board
Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board
Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest
Conseil scolaire de district des écoles catholiques du Sud-Ouest
Amethyst Demonstration School
Robarts School for the Deaf

TVCC SSP-ASD plans with each Board to develop an individualized plan to meet their needs. The 3 components that are offered are training, consultation and resource development.  The ASD Consultants work with School Board teams, school teams and classroom teams.

TVCC SSP-ASD has developed a referral process with each school board. School Board staff supporting children and youth with ASD first access their special education services within their school system. If the Special Education Service would like the added assistance of the SSP then a referral from the board to the program can be made.