FASD Support and Resources in Alberta

"Reach Out" Education Program for Children Unable to Attend Regular Classes [Edmonton]

Description:
"This program is for students with severe cognitive and/or physical disabilities who are unable to attend regular classes. Reach Out supports the student’s Individual Program Plan. A team works together to create the IPP and meet regularly. The teacher provides individual instruction sessions based on multi-disciplinary team recommendations. Available in Edmonton only; through Leadership Services referral process." (from website)

Note that Argyll Centre is:
" ... a collaboration of individuals committed to home and community based learning.
We are a centre of choice serving and advocating for individuals and families who are responsible for determining the optimal location, direction and environment for their learning and education. We are committed to a process, which empowers all individuals to achieve success based on a diverse definition of learning.

The following handbooks provide extensive information about all of Argyll's programs, but not much more about the Reach Out program than is listed above. We recommend contacting Argyll Centre directly to enquire:
Elementary/Junior Handbook (PDF)
High School Handbook (PDF)  

Contact Info:
Argyll Centre
Edmonton Terrace Heights Campus
6859 - 100 Avenue N.W., Edmonton, AB T6A 0G3
Tel: 780.465.1299

Website: Argyll Centre website

Other Info:
We have homeschooled our special needs children with Argyll Centre as the supervising board. In general, they have some homeschool facilitators who understand education in the context of special needs. The Reach Out program is superb -- in our case where we have two children with severe FASD and additional diagnoses, they provided a teacher who came a few days a week to work with our children, extra funding for specialists (OT, speech, etc) and equipment, etc.

Woods Homes [Calgary, Parkdale, Lethbridge, Bow Valley, Wheatland County +]

Description:
"What began as an orphanage, in 1914, has grown into a thriving, multi-service charity serving the most troubled young people in our community.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, core residential programs are located at two centres; the original Bowness Campus where George Wood Learning Centre is located, and the administrative and program cottages in the Parkdale Community. We also operate regional and rural programs in Lethbridge, the Bow Valley Corridor and Wheatland County. In June 2008, we began offering services in Fort Smith, N.W.T." (from website)

Services:
"Wood's Homes provides 21 programs and services to our clients which are divided into five resource areas that serve youth between the ages of 6 and 24 and their familes.

Our Crisis and Outreach Programs provide community-based services, either by their presence in the community, their outreach capacity or their crisis-oriented service approach to families and children in need.

Our Intensive Residential Programs are services offered to groups including adolescent sex offenders, Aboriginal youth with substance abuse challenges and youth with complex mental health and behavioural challenges. Our foster home/caregiver settings and group living arrangements offer 24/7 care to youth, as well as providing therapeutic services to aid in the journey to becoming valuable members of our community.

Our Regional and Rural Programs are those which exist outside the Calgary area including Lethbridge, Canmore (Bow Valley) and Wheatland County.

Our Specialized Learning Centres are a variety of therapeutic/educations offered both within the agency and in the community in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District."

Please see their website for more details about these services, or contact your worker if you have one.

Contact Info:
Referral and Crisis Line - Community Resource Team:
(403) 299-9699
1-800-563-6106

Wood's Homes
Parkdale Campus
805 - 37 St. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N8
Tel. 403-270-4102
Toll Free 1-866-742-6751 or 1-866-742-6741

Website: http://www.woodshomes.com
Email: [email protected]

Alberta's Standards for Special Education [document]

Description:
"These standards, modified in 2004, outline requirements for school districts regarding the delivery of education programming for students in grades 1 to 12 with special education needs....  The standards are organized into four areas" (from The Edmonton Examiner - Mar 7/07):  Access standards, appropriateness standards, accountability standards, and standards pertaining to appeals.

Access Info:
Standards for Special Education (PDF Format) at the www.education.gov.ab.ca website

In Their Own Words

Description:

Personal stories from six individuals who have been affected by FASD:

* Poem by Judy "Seeing is Believing"

* Letter from Anique: "What I want Social Workers to Know."

* Letter from David: "What I want People to Know."

* Letter from CJ: "What I would like Teachers to Know."

* Letter from Loni: "The Story of Loni"

* A Story by Angela: "What its like to be an aboriginal adult with FAS"

Website: FASDconnections.ca 'In Their Own Words' Menu

Other Info:

This is a Canadian site, most likely originating from B.C. Four of the people involved in it are FASD Consultants, with one of those being the co-chair of the National Advisory Committee on FASD to Health Canada.

Looking for School Options for your loved one with FASD? [Edmonton]

Are you wondering where your child or other loved one with FASD will go to school?

In Edmonton, there are various pre-school options available.  Our son and daughter with FASD, for example, have been in an excellent pre-school program which is specifically set up for children with FASD, ADHD and sensory integration issues.  However, this program does not continue into grade one.

We hear that there are also some options for junior high. (We will add posts giving more information on these options as we get specific information).  But what happens in the elementary years?  In Sturgeon County, there are specialized programs for children with FASD.  Here in Edmonton, the choices we were given for our son was either to be integrated into a regular classroom, or to be in a behavioral class.  Neither of these are appropriate options for him, as he would be quickly overwhelmed in either situation.  It is difficult for children with permanent brain damage to be integrated into a regular classroom (Read a brief article on what works best for FASD children and schooling).

Not too long ago, parents of autistic children advocated for their children to have a separate school program that met the specific needs of children with autism.  They now have a school where children with autism are taught separately and have their needs met appropriately. We are hoping the same will happen for children with FASD, but in order to do so, parents need to work together and approach the school boards.

We are interested in networking with parents who want better education options for children with FASD.

If such options are of interest to you, please let us know!   Go to the bottom of this page to post a comment (or click on the small "Comments" link just below this post, if you are on a page with many posts on it).

Please provide your name, phone number and/or email address. Please feel free to list any positive or frustrating school experiences in the comments.

We will not post your # or email address on the web, but will keep them on a separate list of people who are interested in better options so that we can keep you informed of developments, email you about meetings, etc.

Thanks!

The right educational environment for children with FASD

We, the biological parents, adoptive parents, and foster parents of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, would like our children to receive an education in an environment that meets their specific and unique needs.

Our children have a common set of characteristics which makes it difficult for them to learn.  These include the following:

¨        Difficulty understanding consequences for their behaviour

¨        Difficulty following multi-step directions and tasks

¨        Difficulty with distractions

¨        Difficulty with abstract concepts

¨        Difficulty with socialization skills

Accordingly, they need an educational environment which offers:

¨        Greater supervision

¨        Simple directions given clearly and slowly

¨        A structured consistent environment throughout the day

¨        A neutral, distraction-free environment and calming techiques

¨        Constant repetition in their learning

¨        Concrete learning tasks, set in a context and retaught for new situations

¨        Assistance in maintaining personal space and interacting with others.

(these items have been summarized from an article on the Right Program in Winnipeg)

A program specifically geared to our children will give them a safe environment which matches their ability to learn, provide valuable life skills, and celebrate their strengths and talents.  In the long run, we hope to decrease the frustration which they experience in a regular classroom setting, reduce the number of secondary disabilities (i.e., substance abuse, delinquency, unwanted pregnancy), and provide them with a broader and better range of options for their lives after schooling is complete.

Such a program would also have classrooms which are adapted for the special needs of children with FASD and sensory integration issues.  See some photos of an adapted classroom

Interested in making such a program a reality in Edmonton?   Read our School Options in Edmonton article and send us a comment...

2006-2007 Best Education Options in Edmonton for Children with FASD [Edmonton]

The programs listed in this post are either specifically for FASD, or at least are well aware of the needs of a child with FASD and how to best teach him/her.  Links in this post lead to our more detailed postings on each school or program.

Here's our choice for the best education options in Edmonton for children with FASD:

Preschool:

Scott Robertson Early Education Program: 1 1/2 - 5 years
Diagnosis not required. Child must be eligible for Program Unit Funding (PUF).

Elves Early Education Program: 1 1/2 - 5 years
Children must be diagnosed with FASD and eligible for Program Unit Funding (PUF).

Both school boards in Edmonton have Early Education Programs (EEP) for children with special needs, though these are usually not FASD-specific.  Depending on the setup of a particular school's Early Education Program, the severity of their child's FASD and related issues, and their particular situation, some families might find that the EEP in their neighbourhood is suitable or suitable enough for their child.  Additionally, some schools may be open to making changes to the EPP classroom to increase its suitability for children with FASD.  See "Special Needs Programs Offered by Edmonton School Boards" for more information and weblinks to both school boards' early education programs.

Elementary, Junior and Senior High:

Elves School Program: 2 1/2 to 20 years
Initial inquiry to Elves has indicated that the child must be referred by the school board, as they are the ones providing the funding for this. We will post more information as it becomes available.

Bosco Homes Academic Program
Elementary, Junior and Senior High.  Not fully covered by public funding unless child's local school board contracts with Bosco to provide educational services for him/her.

Sturgeon Neuroacademic Program  Grades 1-6 (between 3 locations).
Available only to students in Sturgeon County school district. We list this here as some families living in Edmonton may in fact be willing to move to Sturgeon County for the sake of their children's education.

Homeschooling

While homeschooling is not possible for everyone, it gives parents the opportunity to provide an FASD-specific educational environment that is geared specifically to their child.  Having the same teacher year after year (viz., mom and/or dad) provides excellent consistency and stability.

Note that Argyll Home Education Centre has some facilitators who have experience working with students with special needs, and is also able to provide other specialized services and supports/funding to children with FASD depending on their situation, severity of the FASD, etc.

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Are there other programs or options which you think should be on our list?  Let us know using the "Comments" feature below!

Wondering why there aren't more regular school programs listed here?  In general, it's because being placed in regular classrooms does not work well for children with FASD.  Of course, we don't know everything.... if you've had a great experience at a particular school or program with your child with FASD, please let us know!  Use the comments feature below to give us some feedback!

Asota FASD [Edmonton]

Description:

'Children diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder face many challenges in life. At Bosco Homes, we have designed specialized environments and tailored programming specifically to meet the needs of children with FASD. On-site Occupational Therapy is available for consultation.

Program Descriptions:

Residential Care

• Low ratio: 4 children (maximum) and 2 staff on at all times
• High level of structure and routine
• Sensory playroom attached to living suite
• Life skills groups run three times weekly
• Picture support for written rules and routines
• Low stimulation environment
• Play is encouraged and incorporated into daily routines
• This is not a long-term program, but runs approximately 6-9 months.

Academic Program

• Low ratio: 6 students and 3 staff on at all times
• 20 minute work periods
• Physical education twice daily
• Instruction focusing on basic academic skills, life and social skill development, leisure and recreation, vocational skills
• Individual Program Plans (IPP) developed for each student
• Participation in a work experience program
• Environmental modifications to reduce stimulation and improve productivity
• Sensory room attached to the classroom'  (entire description provided by Bosco)

Contact Info:

Bosco Homes
Calvin Wood, Intake Coordinator
Tel. 780 440-0708 ext. 259
Website: BoscoHomes.ca FASD page

Other Info:

In Edmonton, Bosco Homes provides academic programs at Thomas More Academy and at Phoenix Academy.  Bosco Homes also provides FASD assessment and screening, community education and training, and other related services.

Note: Bosco's academic program is a placement option sometimes used by public schools when they are not able to provide the right educational environment for a student, in which case they make the referral and the cost is covered between Alberta Education and other parties.  It seems that Bosco is open to children with FASD being directly referred by their parents/caregivers; however, due to a difference between the actual cost per year at Bosco and public funding (the base education grant and the severe disability grant), there may be a cost associated with attending. Please contact Bosco Homes directly for the specific details as they apply to your situation.

Special Needs Programs Offered by School Boards [Edmonton]

Description:

This page provides an overview of the various special needs programs offered by school boards in Edmonton.  The majority of these programs are not FASD-specific, and they are listed here primarily for your convenience in understanding what is available.  We have a separate posting about the best schooling options available in Edmonton for children with FASD.

The public and Catholic school boards generally focus on integration and inclusion.  While in general this is a good policy, it does not work well for children with FASD, who need their own classrooms set up for their specific needs.  The exceptions to this policy tend to be at the preschool level, where the public and Catholic boards both have early education programs for children with special needs. These are often directed toward special needs in general, with a few locations having classes for specific special needs (for example, Mayfield School has a class for autistic children; Scott Robertson  has a class geared for children with FASD and related issues).

Edmonton Public School Board

"The district provides extensive special education programs including full integration in neighborhood schools, partial integration, specialized district centre programs and schools that serve only students with special needs. At the senior high level, all the schools serve special need students residing in their attendance areas."

Specific Programs:

Early Education
"The Early Education Program provides educational services within a school setting for children ages 2 1/2 to 5 1/2, with severe special needs. The program includes educational strategies to enhance cognition, self-help skills, social skills, motor development and speech and language skills."

"Children are eligible for the Early Education Programs if they have been formally diagnosed with a severe special need by a qualified professional. Children must be between the ages of 2 ½ and 5 ½ years of age on September 1st and must meet Alberta Education's criteria for Program Unit Funding."

Note: Early Education Programs will vary by school, in terms of their focus and how suitable they might be for children with FASD.  Check out the program at Scott Robertson School for a great program!

Elementary, Junior and Senior High
The board offers three programs at a number of schools, for students with severe behaviour disorders and/or mild (to moderate, in some programs) delays in cognitive development. As is the case with most things in life, some of these programs are well-run and seem promising for the child with FASD, and some are not as suitable. It often depends on a particular school's teachers and principals. We provide links to the EPSB webpages for those who wish to look further into these programs:
Opportunity Program
Behaviour and Learning Assistance Program
Behaviour and Learning Assistance / Opportunity Program

If you wish to homeschool your child with FASD, the Edmonton Public School Board's Argyll Centre is very helpful.

Edmonton Catholic School District

"Edmonton Catholic Schools provides a variety of special education programming for students with special needs. This ensures the most enabling learning environment for the student. The model includes full inclusion, with support at the classroom/school level, specialized classes integrated in regular schools and out-of-district placements. Programming at the community school is considered as the first option."
ECSD Special Needs Program

Further information: Learning Support Services

ECSD runs an Early Learning Preschool Program (similar to EPSB's Early Education Program) in three of its schools.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, all items in quotation marks are from the respective school boards' websites.

Sturgeon Neuroacademic Program [Sturgeon County]

Description:

'Our Sturgeon Neuroacademic Program was designed for students with chronic organic brain dysfunction. This could be as a result of FAS Traumatic Brain Injury, or other trauma or medical concerns around brain functioning (brain tumours, etc).

The program is designed with the function of the brain in mind and so each child is on individual programs (because we know that a single diagnosis does not look the same for each child). Most of the students in the program have a diagnosis of FAS.

We do not take students from outside our resident area. We are fairly full in the 3 programs. We had a class at Camilla which is in west point of our division and supports students from grades 1 to 5. We also have 2 programs in Gibbons (Gr 1-4 at Landing Trail School and grade 5 & 6 at Gibbons School).' (from T. Hayes)

Contact Info:

Tina Hayes, Coordinator of Student Services
Sturgeon County School Board 939-4341
[email protected]
www.sturgeon.ab.ca

Enviros - FASD Community Support Program [Calgary & area]

Description:

'We are funded through Calgary and Area Child & Family Services which enables us to work with families who have status with Children's Services ranging from foster families, adoptive families receiving post adoption supports through Children's Services, biological families with either a Family Enhancement Agreement or another form of involvement. It also now includes families involved with FSCD (Family Supports for Children with Disabilities).

The service we provide is very caregiver orientated and can include intensive behavioural strategy support, education around the disability, assessment and diagnosis, support within the school, advocating, accessing resources including respite, recreational programming, day programming, etc. We typically work with a family for approximately 6 months meeting regularly (between 1/week- 2x/month). The child/ youth needs to have a diagnosis under the FSAD spectrum and a cognitive assessment that is not older than 4 years old to be eligible to receive services.

Liz Lawryk is the Chief Medical Examiner of the OBD (Organic Brain Dysfunction) Triage Institute is our consultant to the program and provides a patient specific Diagnostic Interpretation of Abilities Sessions to all of the families and professionals involved if they are interested.

This program does not tie into the wilderness component of Enviros but we do incorporate a lot of Experiential Learning when working with the families and developing strategies.' (information provided by C. Burnett from Enviros)

Contact Info:

Enviros Wilderness School Association

13, 2115 - 27th Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta T2E 7E4

Tel. 403 219-3499   Fax 403 219-3466

FASD Support Program Supervisor:  Carlie Burnett

Website: Enviros - FASD Support page

Specialized Learning Centres [Calgary]

Description:

'The intent of the Treatment and Learning Resources Program is to combine treatment and educational alternatives for young people, their families, and caregivers.

The youth and their caregivers who seek our support have all had previous unsuccessful school experiences and have lost or are at risk of losing their community school placement. The program is designed to reconnect young people and families with their communities.

The School Based Treatment and Learning Resources program serves male and female youth 11 - 18 years of age and their families/care givers/guardians.' (from the Wood's Homes website)

More information is on their webpage.

Contact Info:

Program Webpage: Specialized Learning Programs

Administrative Office:

805 37 Street NW, Calgary Alberta  T2N 4N8

Tel. 403 270-4102  or Toll-Free 1-866-742-6751   Fax 403 283-9735

Webpage with full contact information:  Wood's Homes contact page