Education Supports
Education Supports
Programs and tools to support learning at school and beyond.
Programs and tools to support learning at school and beyond.
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Whether your loved one needs early intervention, school-readiness programs, or specialized special education services, these resources may assist you.
Whether your loved one needs early intervention, school-readiness programs, or specialized special education services, these resources may assist you.
Primary / Secondary Education
Primary / Secondary Education
Parent Resource Centre Ottawa
What they do: Provides free, confidential support lines, developmental screenings, and targeted parenting workshops for families navigating early child development challenges. This service is available in Ottawa for all children, including those parents have identified as having behavioural concerns.
Website: parentresource.ca
Learning Disabilities Association of Ottawa-Carleton (LDAO-C)
What they do: The LDAO-C is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting increased awareness and respect for persons with learning disabilities. The Association engages with individuals, families, community and professional groups to assist in their understanding of addressing the barriers and to build their skills and resources to overcome the challenges of Learning Disabilities and ADHD.
Website: ldaottawa.com
The Portia Learning Centre
What they do: Combines Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with targeted academic tutoring to build literacy, numeracy, and emotional regulation skills.
Website: portialearning.com
ACT Learning Centre
What they do: Focuses heavily on speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, autism services, and specialized school-readiness programs for early learners. Services available across Eastern Ontario, including Ottawa.
Website: actlearningcentre.ca
OCDSB Special Education Advisory Committee
What they do: Parent-led Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a Ministry of Education mandated advisory committee that provides important advice on matters regarding special education programs to the Board.
Website: SEAC Committee | Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
OCSB Special Education Advisory Committee
What they do: Parent-led Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a Ministry of Education mandated advisory committee that provides important advice on matters regarding special education programs to the Board.
Website: Special Education – The Ottawa Catholic School Board
School Resources
School Resources
Special education and services - A parent's guide (Government of Ontario)
CHEO School Support Services for Students with Autism
A Guide for Families of Students with Down Syndrome (Down Syndrome Association of Ontario)
3.21-Magazine-Back-to-School-September-2026-Issue-28.pdf (Canadian Down Syndrome Society)
Navigating Special Education in Ontario (Community Living Ontario)
Transition Resources
Transition Resources
Post Secondary and Transition to Adulthood Resources
Post Secondary and Transition to Adulthood Resources
LIFE Program (Living Independence, Functional Skills and Employment Readiness) at Algonquin College
What they do: The Horizons LIFE Program is a supportive, post-secondary-style program designed to help adults with intellectual disabilities or autism to develop the skills they need to become more independent, build confidence, and pursue meaningful employment. With a staff-to-participant ratio of 1:6, participants receive individualized support in a structured and encouraging learning environment. The program combines classroom learning, hands-on activities, and real-world community experiences to support participants in developing practical life skills that can be used every day. Participants take part in a college-like learning environment on the Algonquin College campus while focusing on functional academics, independent living, social skills, and employment readiness. Fee for service program run by Horizon Behaviour Consulting. The first LIFE Program session commenced in September 2026.
Website: https://horizonsbehaviourconsulting.com/adult-life-program/
Project Search (Ages 18-21)
What they do: Project Search is run by the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, the Ottawa Hospital, and LiveWorkPlay and provides a one-year school-to-work transition program for students with an intellectual or developmental disability who have finished high school and want to enter the workforce. The first session of this program commenced in September 2026.
Adaptive Learning Program (Ottawa Carleton District School Board)
What they do: The program helps prepare adults with intellectual disabilities for independence, employment or volunteer work in the community by providing learning opportunities, resources and hands-on experience including in the following areas: retail/customer service, food service, office and library, and plant care and maintenance. This program is free and requires an application through the OCDSB.
Website: https://www.ocdsb.ca/programs-learning/continuing-education/adaptive-learning-program
StoreFront Program (Ottawa Carleton District School Board)
What they do: Storefront is a school-to-work transition program for young adults 18 to 21 with diverse learning needs, including intellectual disabilities and autism. Students spend their mornings working in real Ottawa workplaces and their afternoons building the life and employment skills that matter beyond graduation.
Website: Storefront | OCDSB Storefront
Criteria: Criteria Sheet for Storefront Program
Ottawa Carleton District School Board – Transition Support
GET SET Program (Ottawa Catholic School Board)
What they do: This program develops reading, writing, math, and basic computer skills, as well as confidence in daily tasks and communication skills. This is a free, in-person program at St. Nicholas Adult High School in Ottawa.
Website: Get SET (Skills, Education and Training) - Continuing Education at the OCSB
Community Integration through Co-operative Education Program (St. Lawrence College)
What they do: The Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program is a 2-year academic certificate program designed for adults with significant learning challenges who wish to further their education/vocational training in a community college setting. Available in Kingston and Brockville at St. Lawrence College.
After High School : Transition Resources
After High School : Transition Resources
Partners for Planning (P4P) Planning for Beyond Graduation Toolkit
Transition Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities - Transition to Post-Secondary Education
Transition Planning - Life after high school | Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
DSO-After High-School-Transition-Brochure-Web-En-1.pdf (DSO)
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