In the 1999 budget, $2,000,000 was allocated to the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario
by the Government of Ontario to establish the Promoting Early Intervention initiative. The result of
this undertaking should have a significant impact on the educational system in Ontario in terms of
the special education programmes, services and supports provided to students with learning
disabilities. The project will complement the funding already provided to the Learning
Opportunities Task Force for post-secondary education for students with specific learning
disabilities and may become a part of the Government's response to the McCain-Mustard Early
Years Study Report, "Reversing the Real Brain Drain."
Focusing on students age 4 - 8, the initiative will produce deliverables in 5 main areas:
A new definition of learning disabilities that reflects current science, while remaining
accessible to a classroom teacher or parent.
Recommended protocols for the effective screening and assessment of verbal and
nonverbal learning disabilities in children between the ages of four and eight years. It is our
goal to move the time of screening and assessment to a stage in the child's life that will
reduce the chances of school failure and the development of self-esteem and behaviour
problems.
Recommend preferred approaches for teaching and intervention models, helping to ensure
that young children with learning disabilities have access to the services, supports and
programming within the school system to meet their needs.
The examination of the current state of education for teachers of children with learning
disabilities. The primary mandate of this group will be to examine the current status of
teacher education (Preservice) offered by Faculties of Education across the province. This
group will also examine teacher training at the School Board level (Additional
Qualification). In addition, the working group will recommend effective venues for
incorporating the findings of all the working groups into teacher education programs.
Collectively we believe this process will substantially enhance the preparedness of
educators working with children who have learning disabilities.
The creation of public education vehicles. This working group will be responsible for
organizing a one-day symposium to launch the new operational definition of learning
disabilities and the preferred practice screening and assessment protocols, as well as
developing a brochure on learning disabilities for the parents of younger children. It is our
goal that the information developed by the four previous working groups will assist parents
in seeking out help and intervention for their children at risk.
Purpose/Objective:
Recommendations will be made for new and more efficient approaches to identifying and
remediating young students at risk of school failure and of having a learning disability. As School
Boards and students are the end users and beneficiaries of the products, the LDAO has
committed itself to fostering partnerships with and between School Boards through an ongoing
consultation process.