Referral Process

KidsAbility school program is for children who:

• are registered as a client with KidsAbility
• are eligible for a Junior Kindergarten Program (4 years old by December 31)
  

How to Apply
Referrals are initiated by the child’s therapist in consultation with the parent and submitted to the Principal of KidsAbility School.  The KidsAbility team, working with the family, completes the application to the program.  The application does not guarantee acceptance as there are more applications received than placements available. The school selection committee, in consultation with therapy staff, reviews all applications and makes selection for admission.

Applications are due in January and parents are informed of placement decisions in March.

The Classes                                                                                                                                                There are 2 Composite classes in the Waterloo site with 6 children in each of the classes. 
There are 4 Communication Classes in the Waterloo site and 2 Communication Classes in the Cambridge site with 8 children in each of the classes.
There are 2 Language Classes in the Waterloo site and 2 Language Classes in the Cambridge site with 9 children in each of the classes.

The KidsAbility Team
Parents and the child are involved with a team that includes a Teacher and an Educational Assistant. A Physiotherapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Speech-Language Pathologist or a member from Social Work and/or Augmentative Communication Services may also be involved.

KidsAbility School Class Profiles

Composite Classes (Waterloo Site)
Children referred to the Composite Classes have communication and physical disabilities. Some children may have developmental disabilities and have cognitive delays greater than 2 years as well as complex medical needs.

Children in the Composite Classes generally require services from Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists and some may require the services of Augmentative Communication and/or Seating and Mobility services.

Communication Classes (Waterloo and Cambridge)
Children referred to the Communication Classes have moderate to severe delays in receptive and expressive language as well as some difficulty with social skills and the use of pragmatic language.  Children may also have auditory processing difficulties and behavioural and sensory issues.  Delays in fine and gross motor skills may also be evident.  Some children in the Communication Classes may present as having overall cognitive delays and some may have a diagnosis of Autism.

Children in the Communication Classes generally require the services of Speech Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists.  A few may require the services of a Physiotherapist.

Language Classes (Waterloo and Cambridge)
Children referred to the Language Classes have moderate to severe delays in expressive and/or phonological skills.  Generally there is a gap between the children’s expressive and receptive skills with receptive language skills generally higher.  As well, children may have oral motor difficulties. Children whose intelligibility affects their self confidence to communicate are also considered for these classes. Cognitively, children are relatively age appropriate. Children in the Language Classes generally require the services of Speech Language Pathologists and some may require services from an Occupational Therapist and Augmentative Communication Services.