CONNECTIONS FOR STUDENTS |
Lessons Learned and Effective Practices Regarding the Implementation of the Connections for Students Model to Support Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) |
Collaborative Services Delivery Model (CSDM) for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Phase 2 Report of |
THE PROVINCIAL ADVISORY TEAM (PAT) |
| 1 | Introduction | Introduction Beginning in 2007, the Provincial Advisory Team (PAT) was established to support the monitoring and implementation of the Collaborative Service Delivery Model for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (CSDM-ASD) and to provide advice and oversight to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Child and Youth Services, as well as the school board/Autism Intervention Program (AIP) partnerships participating in the various phases of CSDM-ASD. As the PAT, we represent a broad range of stakeholders and interests including Autism Ontario (AO), the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO), parents of students with ASD, school boards, ASD and child professionals, and community agencies. As co-chairs, appointed by the Ministries of Education and Child and Youth Services, we were tasked with leading and facilitating discussions during PAT meetings and consultations. In our respective roles, PAT members have extensive experience with both the provision of Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI) and the publicly-funded school system. Moreover, we are also invested with the senior administrative background to be able to assess the systemic impact on organizations arising from any change proposals. We are pleased to note that during the relatively brief history of the Connections for Students model, anecdotal and formal data collection suggests that this collaborative approach to transition planning results in a more orderly, beneficial, and supportive experience for many students with ASD and their families. Through collaboration among the school boards and Autism Intervention Program (AIP) providers that participated in the CSDM Phase 2, and the Ministries of Education and Children and Youth Services, we have identified effective practices that may be helpful in the ongoing implementation of the Connections for Students model. In the pages that follow, school board and AIP staff will be able to access lessons learned and suggested strategies that were informed by our observation and participation as representatives of PAT. Provincial Implementation of the Collaborative Service Delivery Model for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Connections for Students) marks a significant improvement in the provision of services to students with autism spectrum disorders, and we are thankful for the opportunity to contribute to this improvement. It is now the responsibility of AIP providers and school boards to maintain and improve upon established partnerships with families to refine supports for children and youth with ASD making transitions of all kinds. The barometer for the health of these partnerships will continue to be the extent to which collaboration impacts the transformation of these institutions. Respectfully, The Provincial Advisory Team Gary Mahoney, and Elizabeth Scott, Co-chairs |
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| 2 | Characteristics of Success and Suggested Strategies |
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| Communication | |||
| Planning | |||
| Student Centred Teams | |||
| Flexibility | |||
| 3 | Approaches to Effective Collaboration | ||
| People & Organizational Management | |||
| Roles and Responsibilities | |||
| Decision Making | |||
| Geography | |||
| Training and Learning | |||
| Early Withdrawl from IBI | |||
| Parent Engagement | |||
| Download the full document (PDF) | |||
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