Special Education Programs

INTERACTIONS PROGRAM

Interactions programming supports students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD impacts how people understand what they see, hear and sense. This lifelong disability can result in difficulties in communication, social relationships, behavior, or learning. Although some students with ASD achieve at grade level, many have uneven or delayed achievement.

GOALS

Improve communication, social interaction and behavior while developing academic skills

BENEFITS

Demonstrate growth in communication skills
Demonstrate growth in building and maintaining relationships, and understanding social situations
Demonstrate growth in managing frustration and problem-solving. Improved ability to handle change or challenging emotions (e.g., anxiety)
Development of life skills to support independent living and employment

PROGRAM DELIVERY

Structured environment with regular routines
Smaller classes for more targeted instruction
Visual aids, concrete examples and hands-on activities
Frequent praise and other meaningful rewards to help students adopt positive behaviors and attitudes
Opportunities to join other classes for instruction in a student’s areas of strength

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for programming, students must be:

Clinically diagnosed with ASD Demonstrating stereotyped behaviors, and have severe impairment in social interactions and communication.
Contact your child’s school for information about eligibility and special education programming options.

ALBERTA CURRICULUM

All Edmonton Public Schools programming is based on curriculum determined by Alberta Education. Students enrolled in Interactions will receive the same high-quality education offered in all of our programs.

TRANSPORTATION

Most schools offering special education programming have yellow busing options available.

For more information about busing, contact EPSB Student Transportation at 780-429-8585.