1. What are the hours of the school day?
BTLC currently offers two specialized classes Monday to Friday
from 9:00am-12:00pm, and from 1:15pm-4:15pm. If it is determined
that a child may benefit from full or partial integration, hours
of school will vary depending on the community school placement
chosen by the family.
2. What is your ratio of staff to students?
In our specialized classroom, one staff member generally assists
one or two students. For children involved in community school
(integrated) programs, one aide will accompany one child to
his/her community school placement.
3. How does the specialized classroom operate?
Our classroom models the structure of a typical classroom.
Students will experience circle time, centers, snack time, music,
etc; the difference is that these activities will be modified to
work on each child’s individual goals. We also operate more hours
(3 hours per day, 5 days per week) than many typical preschool
classrooms. This allows us to provide higher intensity in our
program, as research has shown that intensity will produce greater
learning outcomes for children with developmental delays.
4. Besides classroom instruction and/or assistance, will my child
receive any other services?
All children, regardless of whether they are in onsite or offsite
classrooms, will have an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) created
for them. They will also receive professional consultation based
on the needs outlined in their IPP. To learn more about the
professionals involved in our program,
please see our team page.
5. Do you provide transportation?
No, we do not have transportation options at this time; it is the
parent’s responsibility to provide transportation to and from
school. BTLC staff meet the children at the door before class and
bring them back to their parents at the end of the school day.
6. My child doesn’t have autism, but does have a developmental
delay. Can we access your services?
While the majority of the children in our program have a diagnosis
of autism, we do have the ability to tailor individual program
goals to meet the needs of children with other developmental
delays as well. Contact our administrator if you would like to
discuss your child’s particular needs.
7. How long do students usually stay at BTLC?
That really depends on the child’s needs and how many years of PUF
funding he or she has when starting with us. Some children stay
with us for the full three years that they are eligible for PUF,
and during that time they may progress from being fully onsite to
integrating into placements at other schools. We will continue to
work with children in our program until they reach school age; at
that point, we will assist the family in transitioning to another
program or school.
8. Is there a Specialized Services Program that you would
recommend to complement BTLC's preschool program?
Many of the children in our program also qualify for funding for
specialized services through
Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD). We recommend contacting Autism Partnership for specialized
services if your child attends BTLC. For more information about
Autism Partnership, visit
www.autismpartnership.ca. For a list of alternative specialized services providers,
please visit
www.autismcalgary.com.