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Yes, it is time to start thinking about the new school year. Summer is steadily moving away, while September approaches with speed. Many of us have already started buying school supplies. Others will wait and find themselves in the midst of chaos: parents and children frantically looking and searching around malls for school supplies.In preparation for this upcoming school year, we want to provide you with details on the process which identifies students who require special attention and services. If you feel your child requires extra help or assistance, the Ministry of Education has developed a process to address the needs of such students. The process is referred to as Identification, Placement and Review Committee or IPRC. A child designated “exceptional” via the IPRC process will have an Iindividual Education Plan (IEP) written by an educator. In order to be eligible for an IEP, a child needs to be identified and assessed first and foremost by the IPRC. The IPRC can provide the student with “special education programs” and “special education services” either wise not provided.The IPRC consists of a number of individuals including the principle of the school or school board representative, the student’s teacher, a resource teacher, a psychologist, an educational assistant or any other educator who has knowledge of the educational process or is involved with the student from an educational point.
When a parent is interested in having their child identified as requiring special services or if the school staff (teacher or principle) has approached the parents to have the child identified, the process begins with the school providing the parents with information about the IPRC. A meeting is organized with the above-mentioned people including the student’s parents. Parents are given 10 days written notice of the meeting.  Parents need to be present at this meeting to ensure their rights, as well as those of their child are represented. This meeting will also provide parents with a better understand of the educational process and the educational plan for their child.  Parents may also want to invite a representative to the IPRC meeting. Sometimes these meetings can be emotionally taxing and this additional party may lend some objectivity and support.Generally, the principle provides the details of the IPRC to the parents, how the child is performing in school, review the results of any testing or assessments done and provide recommendations to assist and support the child. The parents can at this point provide the IPRC with their own recommendations and ideas, including medical recommendations or psychological assessments in support of special needs. Discussions of placement options and programs will then ensue. It is important to note that the parents have the right to any and all assessment and testing results as soon as they are received by the school. In fact, the school requires the permission of the parent or legal guardian to perform any and all assessments and testing of the child.After reviewing the information provided by parents and educators, a decision is rendered by the Chair of the committee. Often the decision is made with recommendations at the IPRC meeting itself. If everyone is in agreement, the statement is signed at the IPRC meeting and the parents receive a copy. The following need to be included in the decision:
1.      The IPRC has identified the student as exceptional;
2.      Identification of the student’s strengths and needs;
3.      Definitions of exceptionalities identified as well as the categories;
4.      The IPRC’s placement decision;
5.      The IPRC’s recommendations for special programs or/and services.
The parent may or may not agree with the IPRC statement and recommendations. If a parent does not agree with the statements and recommendations, they should not sign any document. A parent has the right to request in writing a further meeting with the IPRC within 15 days of the parents receiving the IPRC decision. A parent may also want to appeal the IPRC decision right away. An appeal can be file via the school board secretary within 30 days of the original IPRC decision. The person appealing must make their reasons known for the appeal.

This is the last in our series dealing with accurate behavioral diagnosis for your child. As I mentioned in my last article, detailed observations at various times of the day for a 1 ½ to 2 month period will provide sufficient information to help you begin to see distinct patterns in your child’s behavior.For example, you may find that when your child has 8 hours or less of sleep, his mood the following day is much more erratic and unpredictable. Or perhaps after watching a few hours of television or playing on the computer, you find your child has difficulty focusing and being attentive. These are the types of patterns you would have noticed over time.With the observations now documented and sorted, you are now prepared to determine whether or not there are simple and obvious changes you, as a parent can make in your child’s immediate environment. This might include such things as ensuring your child gets enough sleep, eats healthy, non-processed foods, has minimal amount of exposure to television, video and computer games (or at least eliminate violent and aggressive shows and games), has plenty of exercise outdoors, and is not exposed to toxins within and outside of the home. There may also more subtle changes you can make such as eliminating trips to the grocery store with your hungry or tired child just before supper- or bedtime, or bringing healthy snacks and water on long car rides to eliminate low blood sugar levels and consequently, grumpy, moody children.You may also decide that the information you gathered about your child’s behavior merits seeing a health professional – and there are many to choose from. I would recommend your first visit to be to your family physician who generally knows your child’s history. They may be able to provide you with advice on how to change the behavior or they may recommend other health practitioners who specialize in a particular field. Aside from your family physician, there are other health professionals you might want to consider meeting with as well. There are a variety of paths you can take. My suggestion is to begin with the less invasive, more natural approaches. These might include:A food allergist who will determine if your child demonstrates food sensitivities.
A dietitian has an undergraduate degree in food and nutrition and will be able to provide sound advice on healthy and nutritious foods.
A nutritionist may not have as much academic education as a dietician however, they still focus on optimal nutritional matters.
A homeopath uses very diluted substances (natural sources) to create balance in the body. These substances are devoid of chemical toxicity.
A naturopath focuses on the body’s innate ability to heal itself. A naturopath might use different types of healing including herbalism, environmental medecine, acupuncture, aromatherapy, just to name a few.