Skip to Content
AccessibilityCareersStaffEdsbyOnline Learning PlatformsContact Us
  • Visit our Facebook Page in new window
  • Visit our Twitter Page in new window
  • Visit our Youtube Page in new window
  • Visit our Instagram Page in new window

Greater Essex County District School Board Logo

Contact Us
  • Our Schools
    View More...
    • Accommodations
    • Buses and Transportation
    • Child Care
    • Elementary Schools
    • Find a School
    • Kindergarten
    • Registering for School
    • Renting School Facilities
    • Safe Schools
    • School Cash Online
    • School Climate Surveys
    • School Construction
    • School Year Calendar and Schedules
    • Secondary Schools
    • Special Education
    • Student Records for Closed Schools
    • Which School Do I Attend?
  • Programs and Learning
    View More...
    • Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education
    • Athletics and Sports
    • Black Canadian Programs
    • De-streaming
    • EcoSchools
    • eLearning and Technical Support
    • Enhanced Learning Programs
    • Experiential Learning
    • French as a Second Language
    • Indigenous Education
    • International Baccalaureate Programme
    • International Languages
    • International Students
    • Kindergarten
    • Math
    • Pathways
    • Secondary Programs
    • Special Education
    • Summer Programs
    • Virtual Library
  • Family and Community Support
    View More...
    • 40 Hours Community Involvement
    • Accessibility
    • Champions for Education
    • Child Care
    • Cyber Security
    • EarlyON Child and Family Centres
    • Employment Assessment Centre
    • Equity and Inclusive Education
    • Extreme Weather Events
    • Language Learning
    • Mental Health and Well-Being
    • Parent and Guardian Engagement
    • Renting School Facilities
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
  • News and Events
    View More...
    • COVID-19
    • News and Stories
    • School Year Calendar and Schedules
    • News Releases
  • About GECDSB
    View More...
    • Budget and Finance
    • Board Meetings
    • Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
    • Contact Us
    • Careers
    • EQAO Testing
    • GECDSB Land Acknowledgement
    • Our Board
    • Plans and Reports
    • Policies and Regulations
    • Privacy Policy
    • Purchasing and Procurement
    • Student Senate

Quick Links

  • Students
    Toggle
      40 Hours Community InvolvementAthletics and SportsBrightspace (D2L)myBlueprintOffice 365Online Learning and Technical SupportScholarships and BursariesSchool Cash OnlineSelf Serve Password Registration and ResetSummer ProgramsVirtual LibraryStudent Senate
  • Parents & Families
    Toggle
      Edsby For ParentsmyBlueprintParent and Guardian EngagementParent Guide for Virtual LearningRegistering for SchoolSchool Cash OnlineSchool Year Calendar and SchedulesSpecial Education
  • School Board
    Toggle
      Board AdministrationBoard Meeting CalendarCareersMeet our TrusteesPolicies and RegulationsStaff

Special Education Programs and Services

HomePrograms and LearningSpecial EducationSpecial Education Programs and Services
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) offers a range of special education programs and services, supported by staff who work in partnership with administration, teaching staff and other educational support staff to strengthen student learning, growth and development.

Our services

The following is a summary of services that we provide.

Learning Support program

Our tiered Learning Support program is designed to:

  • Provide academic supports to elementary and secondary students with learning difficulties
  • Provide support to teachers in a consultative model or work directly with students for blocks of time, either in a classroom or alternative environment
  • Provide consultation and resource support to classroom teachers, ensuring students are receiving appropriate accommodations and differentiated instruction

Reaching Individual Success and Excellence (RISE) program

The Reaching Individual Success and Excellence (RISE) program is a partially integrated special education classroom within their home school. Designed to:

  • Support students with a designated exceptionality as determined by an Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
  • The focus is on Language Arts and Math
  • Provide individualized programming which is uniquely suited to each student's strengths and needs

My Achievement Pathway to Success (MAPS) program

The My Achievement Pathway to Success (MAPS) program is designed to:

  • Support students with a designated exceptionality as determined by an Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
  • Support students in achieving an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC)
  • Explore work opportunities and community-based experiences
  • Support transition planning for life in the community after secondary school is completed
  • Assist students in developing daily living and social skills
  • Help students achieve their full potential as independent adults

Giving Attention to Individual Needs and Strengths (GAINS) program

The Giving Attention to Individual Needs and Strengths (GAINS) program is a system placement in a fully self-contained special education classroom with a focus on the following domains: literacy, numeracy, physical, social emotional, communication and self-help. It is designed to:

  • Support students with a designated exceptionality as determined by an Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
  • Provide individualized programming which is uniquely suited to each student's strengths and needs
  • Provide appropriate opportunities for integration within the school
  • Help students achieve their full potential

Skills to Enhance Personal Success (STEPS) program

The Skills to Enhance Personal Success (STEPS) program is system placement in a fully self-contained special education classroom with a focus on non-credit bearing courses (K-courses). Designed to:

  • Support students with a designated exceptionality as determined by an Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
  • Explore work opportunities and community-based experiences where appropriate
  • Support transition planning for life in the community after secondary school is completed
  • Individualized programming which is uniquely suited to each student's strengths and needs
  • Provide opportunities for integration within the school where appropriate
  • Help students achieve their full potential

Special Education Services

Learn about the special education services we provide at the GECDSB.

Education Coordinator services

Our Education Coordinator services are delivered by teachers who have additional qualifications in special education and have direct classroom experience working with a variety of student needs.

Coordinators are assigned to GECDSB schools to provide continuous support, facilitation and communication among parents, school and community partners. They enhance learning outcomes for students, promote services and programs, and ensure each student receives the supports they need to succeed.

Itinerant Teacher services

Our Itinerant Teacher services work collaboratively with classroom teachers, educational support staff, administration, families and community partners to provide educational instruction, collaboration and strategies for students who are identified as blind/low vision or deaf and hard of hearing.

Speech and Language Pathology services

Our Speech and Language Pathology services provide consultation, direct intervention and collaboration in helping students when they're experiencing difficulties in language, speech-sound production, social skills, voice, resonance, fluency and stuttering based on the tiered model. Our staff also provide families and staff with information regarding a student's communication profile and discuss methods for helping students succeed in the classroom.

Psychological services

GECDSB's Psychological services staff work in partnership with administration, school based teams and community partners to enhance student learning, growth and development.

Staff collaborate to help students who are experiencing academic, adaptive, social or personal adjustment difficulties at school. They provide consultation, psychological assessments, intervention and professional development services to students, families and staff based on the tiered model.

Social Work and Attendance Counselling services

Our Social Work and Attendance Counselling services assist students and families in areas such as:

  • Persistent absenteeism
  • Anxiety-related concerns
  • Mood-related concerns
  • Personal adjustment
  • Individual crisis
  • Traumatic response
  • Family adjustment

Behaviour Support Services

Our Behaviour Support services build staff capacity and assist students experiencing issues affecting their success at school, including:

  • Difficulty adapting to the learning environment
  • Behaviour that interferes with learning
  • Behaviour that poses a risk to the students or others in the classroom environment
  • Transitional difficulties
  • Self-regulation challenges
  • Social skills difficulties

School-Based Rehabilitation services

The John McGivney Children's Centre provides School-Based Rehabilitation services to the GECDSB, ensuring that children with rehabilitation needs can attend school, participate in school activities and receive academic instruction.

Services may include:

  • Short-term consultation
  • Training and intervention for specific rehabilitation needs
  • Therapy provided in the school setting, includes:
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Physiotherapy
    • Speech and Language Pathology
Programs and Learning
  • Special Education
    Toggle Section
    • Community Supports and Resources
    • Parent and Caregiver Guide to Special Education Process
    • Registering Your Child with Special Needs
    • Special Education Advisory Committee
      Toggle Section
      • Special Education Advisory Committee Calendar
    • Special Education Programs and Services
  • Close Full Programs and Learning Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education
      Toggle Section Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education Menu
      • English as a Second Language Courses
      • Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
    • Athletics and Sports
      Toggle Section Athletics and Sports Menu
      • Divisions
      • Resources for Parents and Guardians
      • Windsor Essex County Secondary School Athletic Association
    • Black Canadian Programs
      Toggle Section Black Canadian Programs Menu
      • African Studies at GECDSB
      • Roads to Freedom
      • Teaching Resources and Local Field Trips
    • De-streaming
    • EcoSchools
      Toggle Section EcoSchools Menu
      • Certification
      • Ecological Literacy
      • Energy Conservation
      • School Ground Greening
      • Waste Minimization
    • eLearning and Technical Support
      Toggle Section eLearning and Technical Support Menu
      • Edsby, Brightspace, and Teams Help
        Toggle Section Edsby, Brightspace, and Teams Help Menu
        • Brightspace for Teachers
        • Edsby For Parents
        • Guest Meeting Invite Instructions
      • eLearning Courses
      • Mathify Online Tutoring Program
      • Microsoft Office
      • Online Student Support
      • Student Device Purchase Options
      • Virtual Library
      • Wifi
    • Enhanced Learning Programs
      Toggle Section Enhanced Learning Programs Menu
      • e-STEAM
      • Enriched Programs
      • Walkerville Centre for the Creative Arts
    • Experiential Learning
    • French as a Second Language
      Toggle Section French as a Second Language Menu
      • French as a Second Language Homework Toolbox
      • Helping Your Child in French as a Second Language
      • Kindergarten French Immersion
    • Indigenous Education
      Toggle Section Indigenous Education Menu
      • Indigenous Education Advisory Council Meetings
      • Indigenous Language Classes
      • Open Minds Program
      • Self Identification
      • Student, Parent and Guardian Resources
    • International Baccalaureate Programme
    • International Languages
    • International Students
      Toggle Section International Students Menu
      • Application for Agents and Parents
      • Homestay
      • International Student Stories
      • Make a Payment
    • Kindergarten
      Toggle Section Kindergarten Menu
      • Child Care
      • Getting Ready for Kindergarten
      • Kindergarten French Immersion
      • Register for Kindergarten
      • What CAN You Do at School Today?
    • Math
      Toggle Section Math Menu
      • Building Math Mindsets
      • Fundamentals of Mathematics Video Series
      • Math Resources for Parents
      • Math Vision and Task Force
    • Pathways
    • Secondary Programs
      Toggle Section Secondary Programs Menu
      • Co-op and Apprenticeships
        Toggle Section Co-op and Apprenticeships Menu
        • Co-op
          Toggle Section Co-op Menu
          • Applying
          • Benefit to Employers
        • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
      • Dual Credit Programs
      • Specialist High Skills Major
      • Technology Courses
      • Create Your Future Program
    • Summer Programs
      Toggle Section Summer Programs Menu
      • Camp Wonder
      • Grade 8 Students
      • Reading, Writing and Math Skills
      • Summer Co-op
      • Summer eLearning
    • Virtual Library
      Toggle Section Virtual Library Menu
      • Elementary Virtual Library Commons
        Toggle Section Elementary Virtual Library Commons Menu
        • eBooks
        • Encyclopedia
        • Online Databases
        • Web 2.0
      • Research
        Toggle Section Research Menu
        • Apprentice Researcher
        • Expert Researcher
        • Rookie Researcher
      • Secondary Virtual Library Commons
        Toggle Section Secondary Virtual Library Commons Menu
        • Concussion Information
        • eBooks
        • Encyclopedia
        • Images and Media
        • Newspapers
        • Online Databases
        • Web 2.0

Contact

Subscribe to page updates

Greater Essex County District School Board footer logo

Greater Essex County District School Board

451 Park Street West
P.O. Box 210
Windsor ON N9A 6K1

Phone: (519) 255-3200
Toll Free: 1-888-779-7735

Connect

  • Visit our Facebook Page in new window
  • Visit our Twitter Page in new window
  • Visit our Youtube Page in new window
  • Visit our Instagram Page in new window
AccessibilitySitemapPrivacyEdsbyOnline Learning PlatformsWebsite FeedbackContact Us

© 2022 Greater Essex County District School Board

Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.