Re: special needs education
 

Perhaps I should have said that it 'shouldn't' be a problem rather than it 'wouldn't' be a problem. Based on the fact that Vonny's son is coping well in mainstream education with special support, I would think that he will be able to do the same thing here. Being on the Autistic spectrum can mean very different things and can be mild or severe. If Vonny's son had severe difficulties, he would probably be in a special school in Scotland and wouldn't be coping in mainstream education.

In Ontario, students with special education are included in mainstream schooling as much as possible unless their condition is deemed to need the extra support that only a special school can provide.

As Vonny has said, they intend to investigate the situation fully before deciding on whether to move to Canada.

Re: special needs education
 

Shouldn't in an ideal world, perhaps. Based on his special support I would expect the immigration authorities to turn him down flat. As a tax payer I take an ambivalent view of that.

I don't know about Scotland but, in Ontario, he could be a vegetable and they'd just prop him up at the back of the classroom and call it coping. Being "integrated" means nothing at all, not even that the child can use a toilet/bathroom/restroom or eat without help.

Or, in the real world, parents though encouraged to remove their disabled children from Ontario schools, can force the school board to provide a place unless the board can demonstrate that the child is disruptive. The school board is obliged to provide a place until the age of 21, though one will likely have to litigate to make it happen.

Very sensible. I suggest that the child will benefit from more state support if thay stay where they are. There may, however, be all manner of good reasons to move outweighing what I can only think will be a negative impact on the child.

Re: special needs education
 

Not to doubt for a moment what you are suggesting, but why are you so sure the state support over here is so much better. I can understand that you are dissillusioned by the system over there, but having been over there for so long how can you compare it to a system that you have had no involvement in, just interested. Certainly wouldn't be doing anything that would have a negative impact on my son, and without full investigation, it's hard to say at this stage if that would be the case. I think alot of it has to do with the sort of individual you are and what lengths and efforts you are prepared to go for the positive aspects in life. I agree with Tom, it shouldn't be a problem, but it will be if I am prepared to take no for an answer and don't do my homework properly.

Re: special needs education
 

I think we'll have to agree to disagree. You seem to be assusming that Vonny's son is severly autistic which doesn't appear to be the case. It sounds as if you have had a very hard time fighting for your daughter's rights based on your description of the school system in Ontario. Understandably you feel very passionately about this subject due to your own experiences with your daughter.

Re: special needs education
 

Vonny, until now most of the discussion has focused on what kind of support the school system in Waterloo or a nearby community would or would not be able to provide your son.

Dbd has raised an issue that I think is relevant, and that is whether or not Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will admit your family into Canada for residence purposes.

If a person is applying for a work permit or for permanent residence as a skilled worker, and if their case is straightforward, I usually tell them that my husband successfully applied on his own, and there is no need to hire an immigration consultant. If a person wants to apply as a business class applicant, however, or if a member of his or her family has a medical condition, things can get complicated. In that case I think there is merit in using the services of an immigration consultant. In your case I think there would be value in asking a knowledgeable and experienced immigration consultant for his/her opinion of what your chances of acceptance are.

Given that the application process is not cheap, paying for a qualified opinion up front may be money well spent. There are immigration consultants who participate on this forum, usually in the Canada Immigration section of the forum.

In fact, the Canada Immigration section would be a good place to ask your question about your chances of being accepted. However, the Canada Lifestyle & Culture section is a good place to have asked your question about schooling and other facilities in the community.

All the best.

Edited to add that I've now noticed from your previous threads that your husband has been offered a transfer. Perhaps his employer will pay for the CIC application process. Regardless of whether your husband's employer will pay or whether your and your husband will pay, I still think there is merit in securing a professional opinion about your chances of acceptance.

Re: special needs education
 

I'm not arguing that there's better support in the UK, I have a friend who works with autistic children in London and, from what I can tell the situation is about equal to that in Canada. That is, it's about equal for people who have always lived in each country. I think though that a newcomer is (rightly?) disadvantaged compared to an established person and that in terms of benefits, if you move you lose, regardless of the direction of the move.

I don't know if you son if classically autistic in being disrupted by changes to his routine, my daughter isn't at all, but if he is, that's another factor.

I wouldn't say that I'm disillusioned, btw, the government didn't create the child, I did, and it's certainly open to debate whether or not the taxpayer should be expected to fund any sort of special education.

Re: special needs education
 

Thanks Judy, it's certainly an issue that we will have to discuss with his employer. I take it then that an individual is 'disabled' , to use the term loosely, then in general you have great difficulty in being accepted as a resident, temporary or otherwise. As you say I should probably take this issue up with imigration. At least I've discovered what my first problem might be early on in research, thanks to you guys.

Re: special needs education
 

I do not feel very passionate. I am English.

Re: special needs education
 

I was being polite. I am Scottish.

Re: special needs education
 

Well you're wrong on a couple of points :

- I assume nothing about vonny's son but I don't think she should use the term "autism" in discussing matters with immigration. They are likely to think a little bit autistic is like a little bit pregnant.

- I have not had a hard time over schooling, see above, it all just fell into place. This I know to be atypical.

- I'm not that passionate about matters related to children, dbd is a contraction of deadbeat dad. I'm semi-detached at best.

I know you work in the school system but there's really no need to pat me on the head.

Re: special needs education
 

hi
this is Steve's wife I'm Canadian i grew up there 34 years and i lived in a small town we had a separate school but it lost funds and was closed so all the kids there were put into public school the school system is different kind of in every county so in simco and gray county we had are classes divided so the teacher could help each student separately also we had student helpers kids from the high school who want to be teachers came to the school and sat with a student and helped them with their work
we had a child like your son but he was ok in class at that time it was not known what it was called but he had all the help the school could give him and also the district health unit helps out in your home to keep him going through the summer months we have almost 9 wks off so its just to keep them going also my son had my grade 5 teacher as a helper she was retired but stayed in the school to help out.

Re: special needs education
 

quote "I take it then that an individual is 'disabled' , to use the term loosely, then in general you have great difficulty in being accepted as a resident, temporary or otherwise. "


Not along the autism track but on 'disabled' I spoke to CHC at Sandown asking about my being severely hard of hearing. they said they dont exclude on disability alone- its not allowed, but the same medical rules apply, if you are likely to put an extra burden on the state then they may well refuse entry. In my case as i am working then they will accept me. Maybe if you extrapolate this criterion to your case.


otherwise , good luck!

Re: special needs education
 

I believe there are a couple of high profile cases going thought the courts at the moment with regards to handicapped children and immigration.

I don't have any direct references but I do remember one involved a South African millionaire, and another I think was a Dutch religious group.

It may be worth having a read up on what is/was involved in this, it did point out that CIC review this area as very cut and dried Black and white.

Re: special needs education
 

sheesh - what a minefield eh?? Thanks again for the info. posted a thread on immigration but so far have heard nothing. I'll keep you posted.Steve's wife and batty x-ray, I ain't speaking to the other two until you stop arguing.(only joking)

Re: special needs education
 

Hi there
I would just like to offer a little advice from my own personal experiences.
I lost my little girl 3 years ago. She was severly disabled and complex medical needs. I Knew that i could never move to Canada as she would be classed as a drain on resourses. I was told i would have to proove that i had sufficient funding to cover all her medical and social needs. I know this is to the extreme as her needs were complex but it is an example.

I am here now and i work with special needs. I am a nanny for special needs and things are not so simple to access here. I took the social services and HS service for granted when in the UK. It is not until you actually get here, do you actually realise the expense of things. Medication etc.
I am also here on a works visa and in the process of applying for my PR. Until i get my status here i am not entitled to any help at all.
On the other hand there is some excellent resourses for special needs. In the local school system.
Where area are you planning to move to?
Some people come with good package deals from companys but they do not cover all expenses.
I love canada and i am sure you will also. I am not in any way trying to put you off. I am only trying to be realistic about your future. It would be heartbreaking to get so far and then find you can't come after all.
i hope this was not too hard on you. Only trying to be realistic.
take care :)