Bilingual Transition to Kindergarten Kits to Be Provided to English Public and Specialized Schools to Help Children on the Autism Spectrum.
by Darren Becker
LEARN, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Autism Spectrum Disorder (CO EASD), housed at the Lester B. Pearson School Board, are providing a bilingual Kindergarten Kit to every English elementary public school thanks to a grant from the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
The purpose of these kits is to help schools prepare for the first school transition for students with exceptionalities entering kindergarten.
“We are working to ensure our schools are more accessible and inclusive for all. Part of this initiative is to make sure families and school teams have the resources necessary to better support this important transition to kindergarten. The kits will equip educators with tools to create a supportive classroom environment,” said Katie Cohene, Coordinator COE ASD and Consultant for Autism with the Student Services Department at the Lester B. Pearson School Board.
Every school will receive one Kindergarten Kit that includes: a digital copy of the visual supports needed to help structure and support an inclusive learning environment. These tools include a class-sized and individual visual schedule, a social script for “My New School”, a dressing sequence, and cards for parents to help support their children in practicing important life skills.
The kit also includes:
- Time Timer
- Weighted animal
- Pear shaped crayons
- Easy grip scissors
- Bouncy band for chairs
- Noise-reducing headphones
- Fidgets
- Sensory Pad activity
“At LEARN, we are proud to collaborate on this initiative that supports inclusive education right from the start. These Kindergarten Kits are a meaningful step toward helping school teams and families feel better prepared and equipped to support students with diverse needs. By fostering smoother transitions and inclusive learning spaces, we contribute to stronger school communities across Quebec,” said Debbie Horrocks, Director of the Provincial Resource Team at LEARN.
As well, the COE website will feature a series of training sessions in the form of video capsules for both parents and school teams. Please visit us online on COE’s website: coeasd.lbpsb.qc.ca to learn more about the tools made available through this grant.
This initiative was funded by the PHAC and the CHSSN.
LEARN is a non-profit educational organization with a mandate to offer services and resources to meet the lifelong learning needs of the English-speaking community of Quebec and contribute to student success and community vitality.
The COE ASD is housed within the Lester B. Pearson School Board is under the Ministère de l’Éducation with a mandate to serve as a resource and provide support to the English School Boards in the province, all of whom are committed to facilitating the inclusion of Autistic students.
