Policies

Revised August 2025-2026

Mission
Finding the Way Learning Centre is committed to assisting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to reach their fullest potential. The program is designed to meet the individual needs of children and youth diagnosed with ASD. We believe in the value and importance of family involvement and view the children and youth we serve as valuable and contributing members of society.
Philosophy
The program draws on best practices and evidence-based research to ensure that the variety of learning styles of all children and youth in the program are addressed regardless of functioning level. The program focuses on nurturing and developing the social, emotional and behavioural development of individuals with ASD.

What is ABA/IBI?

FTW Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) program is committed to teaching the essential core skills that will enable a child or youth to transition to mainstream and or alternative settings smoothly and with greater success and improved outcomes.

Behavioural analysis is the scientific approach to understanding why behaviour occurs and how learning takes place. With the use of positive reinforcement, behaviours are most likely to increase or be repeated. By using the principles of Applied Behavioural Analysis, we try to create positive behaviours with a more functional outcome.

When people refer to IBI, they are talking about the Intensive instruction which is used to teach children with autism. With IBI, skills are broken down into its simplest form.

What is Verbal Behaviour?

Verbal behaviour is a form of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) which was conceptualized by a man named B.F Skinner. V.B is a way to teach language through the use of reinforcements. One example of the Verbal Behaviour model is when you teach language to a child by contriving motivation for an item.

B.F. Skinner believed that all children could learn language. He believed that learning occurred due to the consequences of behaviour since language was a form of behaviour.

Direct Instruction

“Direct Instruction” includes teaching techniques that are fast-paced, teacher- directed, and explicit with opportunities for student response and teacher reinforcement or correction.

Language for Learning is designed for five- and six-year-old children in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms who have less than adequate language skills for their age. It is also appropriate for preschoolers (age 4), children in speech correction/language classrooms, those in Title I or special education classrooms, or primary age children in bilingual or ESL programs.

Language for Thinking is appropriate for those students who have completed Language for Learning. It is also appropriate for students in grades 1 and 2 who have less than adequate knowledge of language for their age. Those students who have trouble comprehending what they read in grades 1 and 2 would also benefit from instruction in Language for Thinking. This program works well with students in Title I or special education, speech correction and language classes, or bilingual/ESL programs.

Finally, Language for Writing is appropriate for students who have completed Language for Learning and Language for Thinking. It is targeted for students in grades 2-5. Students placed in this program should be reading at the end of second-grade or beginning third grade reading level. The program can also be used with older students who lack writing skills

Program Overview

Our program consists of a wide range of empirically supported strategies for children and youth with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Strategies utilized may include, but are not limited to, IBI, Verbal Behaviour. Direct Instruction and Natural Environment Teaching.

Each child’s program is developed with their individual learning styles in mind and include teaching strategies that are empirically based and scientifically proven. The development of a child’s program is based on but not limited to the ABLLS (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills), the VP-MAPP and the HELP Strands.

The key strategies employed is that of errorless learning where opportunities for errors are kept to a minimum while providing ample opportunity for the child to demonstrate the target skills independently.

Program Structure

Children at our School receiving IBI have between 15 to 30 hours of 1:1 teaching/instructional time from our Instructor Therapist (IT). Our Instructor Therapists have been trained in the theory and can implement the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Our Clinical Team supervises instructor Therapists, which consist of a Senior Therapist and a Psychologist. Our Senior Therapists are skilled in a variety of evidence based best practices for children and youth with ASD. Our Senior Therapists are responsible for the development of Individual Service Plans (ISP) which includes teaching programs individualized to suit each child and their unique learning style. Senior Therapists train and supervise our IT’s in the implementation of these programs and provide correct feedback and revisions to program regularly, in a systematic and consistent manner. Each child’s program receives 4-6 hours a month of ST development and supervision time.

ST’s also draw on the support of the Supervising Clinical Psychologist or BCBA to ensure that programming is ethically sound and appropriate to each individual child. The BCBA oversees each child’s program for a minimum of 2 hours a month and works collaboratively with other members of the team both internal to BSA and those involved from the community.

School Policies and Procedures: Admission Procedure:

Children who enter our program are between the ages of 3 to adult. Children may have a diagnosis upon entering or be on a waitlist for a private assessment. Older students are part of a different program we offer.

All families interested in having their child enter Finding the Way Learning Centre/Bright Start Academy must come into meet with the Director. A meeting is set up between the Director and the family. At this time, questions will be asked of your child. Please remember to bring all reports, which may have been written about your child that may assist us with recommendations. All costs will be reviewed at this time. If your child is entering our Social Skills Program, an assessment of your child’s skills may be required.

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm with the option of before and after hours. Junior School (School Readiness) ends at 2:30 pm daily. We will close at 2:00 pm on the last Friday of each month for program development. After school hours open until 5:00 pm.

After School options are available. TBA
Saturday sessions based on availability.
Please note that all IBI hours are during the week only due to supervision requirements.

Statutory Holidays

We close on Statutory Holidays. These dates are non-reimbursable to families.

Confidentiality

Bright Start Academy & Finding the Way Learning Centre agrees to treat all children, families, records, observations, videotapes, team meetings and discussions confidential. All staff at our School and all outside consultants are bound to confidentiality agreements. All information regarding your child will be discussed between the staff working with your child. We take confidentiality very seriously and no documents, photos, or written information will be released without written permission.

Parents are not allowed to work with any staff from our school at any time. Staff will be held legally accountable if they work privately without the permission of the Director.

Intake Costs

When you receive an intake call, we will discuss the assessment process. An ABLLS test is a mandatory assessment tool for all children. All ABLLS-R assessments will be re- administered every 6- 9 months. If an ABLLS-R is requested after your child leaves our School for any reason, please note there will be a $150.00 charge.

In order for a student to start our program, the initial first month plus a $1,000 must be paid to hold a spot. Once your child has been accepted into our program, all forms must be signed and payment must be received. Once paperwork has been signed, we then begin the pairing process. The pairing process is crucial in your child’s success here at our School.

If other necessary assessments such as a Speech and Language Assessment, or Occupational Therapy Assessment are necessary, then you will be contacted and be informed of the importance of these tests and a cost for the extra assessments will be provided to you. Please note that all additional assessments will be billed directly to you.

Payment Policy

Finding the Way Learning Centre and BSA is tuition and hourly based. Fees are decided by the Board of Directors on a year to year basis. Autism is not a seasonal disorder, so we accept children throughout the year. Due to this, we have a September to June admission rate and a separate rate for families who change their hours during the summer months.

Any NSF checks will be charged a $75.00 fee.

If you are only in our ABA program, you will be billed $50.00/hour for therapy plus programming per month at 1 to 3 hours per month, billed at $90.00/hr.

Fundraising: We are a not-for-profit charitable organization, striving to ensure we provide all of the necessary support and therapy your child needs. Due to the intensive teaching each child receives, costs can be expensive.

Monthly costs are given to each family based on the number of therapy hours your child will be receiving. Finding the Way Learning Centre has fundraising options which we encourage all families to be a part of. Finding the Way Learning Centre will put 30% of all funds raised directly toward reducing the costs of your child’s program. The remaining funds raised will be used for materials, staffing, and staff training.

With your efforts, we will be able to work and create a less expensive treatment option for our children.

Credits/Reimbursements

No credits will be given due to illness, absenteeism, holidays, appointments etc. If a staff member is sick, then your child will work with another staff member.

Cancellations for Assessments

Please note that any assessment, which is booked with a Speech Consultant, Occupational Therapist Consultant, Music Therapist, and Play Therapist etc., will be billed separately. If you are unable to keep an appointment please note that this time will be billed if we have not received 24 hours notice, as this time is valuable time.

Late Arrivals

Please remember that if your child arrives late, you still have the same pick-up time. Many of our staff have other clients, and this makes it very difficult to staff properly. Please do not pick up your child late. Being late causes children to become frustrated and affects the staff who have other children to work with. Late fees will be applied to your next month’s invoice.

  • Our staff will meet on a weekly basis to keep each other updated on strategies and other necessary information regarding your child’s development.
  • Training Days – The School will close for staff training and maintenance meetings. This will provide families the opportunity to come meet with the staff members and be updated with your child’s progress. Please follow the calendars provided.
  • Training days are not reimbursed as this benefits your child’s program development.
  • Parent Meetings: Specific dates have been chosen to ensure there are parent meetings. Please look at your calendars and submit the dates you would prefer to have parent meetings. We will do our best to accommodate all families.

Excursions and Special Events

Transportation and Liability – On occasion, Finding the Way Learning Centre/Bright Start Academy will have an Excursion, which your child may attend. As you are aware, we currently do not have a school bus therefore transportation to an event is offered by either the Director of the School or by a Staff Member. Any family has the option to drop their child off to the place we will be visiting. We are currently looking at “school bus” rental costs to help accommodate our trips.

Health and Safety Procedures

When to keep your child at home. If your child is experiencing fever, severe coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, a rash which may be unexplainable, pink eye, green mucous, chicken pox, please keep your child at home. If you bring your child to our School, then our staff becomes ill

Other symptoms which would keep your child at home

  • Due to the pandemic, students will be screened upon entry. If your child has a fever, they will not be permitted to enter the School. In order to ensure safety for your children and other children at our School, no child with coughs or respiratory illness can receive therapy until this has been cleared up.
  • Scarlet Fever (strep), your child must be on antibiotics for at least 48 hours to return
  • Hand, foot and mouth which is a virus passed by saliva that is contagious but harmless to children. It causes sores in the mouth, on the feet and on the feet or hands.

A CHILD MAY RETURN BACK TO THE SCHOOL AFTER BEING FREE FROM INFECTION FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS. PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD BACK BEFORE THAT!

In Case of Illness While at the School:

If your child becomes ill at our School (diarrhea, vomiting, fever etc) a phone call will be made to you. If a parent is not available then the emergency contact will be phoned. Please note, that your child will have to be picked up at this time not at the end of his/her session.

  • If a person picks up your child who is not on your emergency list then your child will not be released. NO EXCEPTIONS.

In Case of Accident

  • If your child falls, injures him/herself, cuts him/herself, etc.. an incident report will be made up and a call will be made to you to let you know something has occurred.

Allergies/Anaphylaxis

  • Please note that we take allergies very seriously. For many children, allergies are not a problem, however, allergies can be a very serious issue to many children and adults. It is imperative to tell us if your child has an allergy, regardless how serious you may think it is.
  • If your child has an Epi-Pen, it must be brought to the School every time your child is in the School. There are no exceptions for this policy.
  • If your child has a severe allergic reaction, then you will be called, Benadryl will be given and 911 will be called if your child shows any signs of breathing difficulties. Please see the medication for

Family Involvement Parent/Professional Communication

  • Staff are not allowed under any circumstances to discuss other children within our School.
  • Staff are not allowed to “babysit” or work with your child under any circumstances outside of therapy hours.

Parents Observing

  • We would love to have parents in to observe their children, however we are too busy to accommodate this throughout the school day. If you are interested in observing your child with your child’s therapist, please reach out and we will try to accommodate this once per month during a quieter day.
  • Some sessions can be recorded. We prefer to use Google Drive however for some parents, we will opt to use WhatsApp if that is your preference.

LillioApp

  • Please note that communication notes are sent through the LillioApp. These help to provide some information about your child’s day here at Finding the Way Learning Centre/Bright Start Academy. We will also provide updates or items which we may need at the School.
  • If you choose not to use Lillioapp, communication may take place at the door (5 minutes before your child is to be picked up).

Addressing Concerns:

  • If you have any concerns, please ensure to call the School and speak with the Director (Allie Offman) or Assistant Director(Alyssa Saulo). A phone call will be made within the day the concern is made.
  • Please speak directly with the Director. If the Director is unavailable, please speak with your child’s team leader. You may always email Allie at [email protected] or Alyssa at alyssa@brightstartacademy.info

Parent Meetings

  • Each family is entitled to one team meeting per month. This time is used to discuss your child’s goals, achievements and programs.
  • Extra Team Meetings held or visits to schools or meetings with outside support will be billed at $60.00 per hour.
  • Team Meetings are the perfect opportunity to ask questions.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Parent

Expectations

✓ Participation in regular team meetings

✓ Regular on-site observation of your child’s program

✓ Work together with the staff to ensure consistency both at home and at the School Ask questions when needed

What should I send my child on their first day?

Please pack your child a lunch and a snack with drinks. Diapers and wipes if your child is not toilet trained Extra set of clothes

Spring/Summer

-sun hat

-sun lotion

-bug spray (only if we have an outing)

Fall/Winter -indoor shoes -rain or snow boots -hat and mittens

Epi-pen if your child has severe allergies

Please remember to label your child’s belongings. We cannot be held responsible if your child comes with items that are not labeled