A: There’s no question that having children with special needs presents many unique challenges for families across the country. One thing they cannot argue against though is the fact that these kids bring a wide range of gifts to society.
What kinds of talents does this population offer to Canada? Read on to find out more.
In 2016, there was a total of 1,879,749 Canadians living with some form of intellectual developmental disorder. We’re going to explore just how valuable those children are to Canada and how parents should go about hiring professionals who work around people like them every day.
To become eligible for government funding, schools must be certified under either the National Quality Education Program or the Early Years Learning Curriculum Programs. These programs define “high quality” education through standards developed by both provincial governments and private companies. As well, certain aspects of teaching curriculum are mandated for inclusion in a student’s coursework.
So if you live in Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or British Columbia then you qualify. If you live anywhere else you’d better pray a school near you makes the cut because otherwise you’ll be paying full tuition costs yourself.
If you wish to take advantage of the above services offered, check out the Canadian Council for Intellectual Developmental Disabilities’ website (cciddd.ca). They’ve got lots of info for parents who would like to learn more about how being a part of this community could benefit their kid. Here are some common issues that Canadians who struggle with ICDDs face:
Developmental Delay & Autism spectrum disorders:
These folks tend to struggle socially, emotionally and academically； which makes life challenging for everyone involved. Their brains develop differently than other children and often times they learn at different rates. For example, most babies aren’t ready for their first birthday but toddlers can still read books. Adults with ASD usually have trouble reading and writing.

A: When I first decided to become a special needs teacher, I knew very little about this topic. However, during my training program, I learned some things regarding helping children get along better with different abilities than theirs, while still teaching concepts about math and English. For example, we discussed topics like dyslexia in reading problems； autism spectrum disorder (ASD)； attention deficit hyperactivity disorders(ADHD), specific phobias and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). These issues often come together with other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disease (OCD). Asking questions like “why does X happen?,” “how would Y work?,” “what could/should Z be changed if I wanted Y,” are just part of becoming a great educator.
We had a lot of fun discussing ways to enhance the learning experience for these children. Here are a few thoughts: 1.) Have a positive attitude whenever possible 2.) Make sure they feel comfortable 3.) Try not to forget a piece of paper for notes 4.) Be patient 5.) Give lots of hugs and encouragement. 6.) Tell stories 7.) Use props 8.) Involve family members 9.) Consider playing games 10.) Practice patience.

A: This special needs student was struggling academically but had found some joy through art classes in middle school. She loved drawing, listening to music, dancing and singing along to her favorite songs. After she learned how to read, she quickly advanced past first grade level math. Her mother came to see me because she knew I could teach her daughter something she did enjoy. They wanted to find the most effective teaching method without compromising anything else they thought would be beneficial.
My mission was to get this girl back in touch with her love for reading. So, I went to work developing her academic program around those ideas. We created a curriculum that encouraged her artistic side and incorporated both visual arts AND literature into her program. When other parents saw my program, they started sending their own kids to me, which gave us enough referrals to become certified by the province and gain approval to provide these lessons. Our tuition rates depend on your location.

A: Mount Uniacke School District, located in Halifax County, provides students with services ranging from preschool through high school education, from special needs support to gifted programs and many other options.
This is why they are ranked among Canada’s top 50 schools in terms of academic performance. They offer specialized educational programming and support to children who struggle academically due to physical disabilities, cognitive limitations, emotional issues, sensory impairments, speech delays, or developmental delays.
In addition to offering these services, Mount Uniacke School District offers a unique service called “Tutor One” which connects parents/caregivers with private online tutoring services. These private lessons provide extra assistance and guidance in various subjects like math, language arts, science and social studies for those struggling to learn.
If you would like information about this program please visit: www.mountuniackeschooldistrict.ns.ca.

A: Mount Uniacke has some amazing teachers who take pride in preparing children with special needs for life after high school. However they feel like being able to offer this type of service isn’t always possible for them due to geographical location issues. So instead of having people come to your house everyday of the week why not just bring your own classroom to the student’s home and provide support online via video chat or phone calls to ensure no missed lessons occur?
Tutoring Canada helps connect these caring educators to families across Canada through a website designed specifically to facilitate this connection. We match qualified individuals with parents in every city and town nationwide. While we cannot guarantee placement in one area, we have made it our mission to be Canada’s first trusted resource of quality tutors specializing in supporting kids with dyslexia, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, Visual Impairment/Low Vision, Dyscalculia, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other developmental disabilities in Canadian schools and homes. Our system was created by parents to streamline the process of connecting interested parties, offering immediate availability 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Parents receive instant notifications of qualified, vetted tutors matching their child(ren)’s specific needs, along with regular follow up communications regarding your child’s individualized tutoring sessions..
We believe this model offers real value for both parent and educator.
This approach enables parents to work alongside trained educators to address any educational gaps and support their children to perform academically at levels equal to those without special education supports. At the same time, dedicated professionals gain ongoing opportunities to contribute to meaningful lives of exceptional learners in communities around the country.
You’ll see some really interesting numbers on the chart above. First, Tutoring Canada has helped over 16 million Canadians improve their personal and professional development since launching in 2014. Secondly, nearly 5K of our tutors actually teach on average 1 lesson per day (and are averaging 2+ years teaching experience).

A: Every day thousands of families find themselves needing help to educate their kids who struggle socially, academically, emotionally or physically. As parents ourselves, we understand this feeling well； we’re raising triplets afterall! Fortunately for those facing these hurdles, educational support professionals exist to provide guidance, tips, and strategies on how they can get back on track.
If working with individuals isn’t possible, however, special needs classes are available virtually online across Canada through private programs like Zoom, Coursera, edX, Canvas Network, Massive Open Online Course, Udemy, Lynda, Pluralsight, and many more.
What types of services are in demand?
Many people assume that working privately with a child would be enough assistance to fix issues, but research shows otherwise. For example, studies found that 1/3rd of families report that teachers tend to focus less than 10% of class time towards teaching skills development. Only 11% felt they’ve received high quality professional instruction to improve understanding of school curriculum. Parents consistently feel underutilized and frustrated because they receive no feedback regarding whether or not their son’s homework was completed successfully or assignments met expectations. A study conducted by Alberta Education Research Institute showed only 15% of Canadian children had regular access to specialized education supports, which includes speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral health services. More significantly, these findings show lack of awareness on how to address some of the most common problems associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder -- communication deficits, language barriers, sensory processing difficulties, and difficulty expressing emotions. These problems can lead to struggles completing everyday life tasks, especially as they relate to personal safety. When students have significant impairment or disabilities, educators must work harder to ensure every step of learning takes place efficiently-- in order to minimize interruptions that affect classroom organization. Unfortunately, these impairments often become obstacles standing in the way of effective instruction.

A: Tutor One offers special education support services to students aged 3 to 18. We deliver educational enrichment programs through direct instruction methods, one-on-one sessions and small group settings to meet individual student needs. Our experienced teachers work together and collaborate across multiple areas of study including Math, English Language Proficiency, Science & Technology, Art, Physical Education, Health and Wellness, Life Skills & Family Literacy, Music, Computational Thinking/Data Analysis and Creative Arts. By working alongside these highly skilled individuals, they gain real life experience. At the same time they learn valuable lesson’s which prepare them better for adult society.
We are committed to improving the quality of life of children who suffer developmental delays, disabilities and mental health issues. Through research and innovative programming, we provide specialized care and treatment solutions to support positive outcomes. Whether it be one-to-one intervention, therapeutic interventions, classroom support or school integration； we offer customized, evidence-based programmes for every child. We believe that no matter what kind of disability a person might face, everyone deserves opportunities to become a contributing part of society.

A: The first step towards finding special needs children who live close to home in Mount Uniacke is by searching through our directory of available tutors on TutorOne. If you don’t see anyone that fits your child’s specific needs, try contacting tutors directly via email. They’ll be able to provide additional information regarding availability, rates and services offered. Some tutors offer discounts depending on the level of service required or how long they’ve worked in education with kids like yours.
We’re excited to announce the launch of the new version of the Student Achievement Report today. We’re committed to making this report easier to read, understand and use. And now, thanks to feedback from parents and educators alike, we’ve made changes designed to simplify how the report looks, makes sense, and helps families get answers fast.
This release includes some exciting changes to improve student achievement for every school district across the country – and some improvements to address common questions and concerns from schools and districts around the country. Here are just a few things we’ve added:
• A single dashboard to view all reports and metrics across the whole K–12 system
• An interactive graph of test scores over time and across grade levels
• School and classroom averages for English language learners (ELLs), as well as other populations with different demographics and academic profiles
• Data tables showing trends in student attendance, discipline referrals, suspensions, expulsions, and dropout prevention programs
Here’s why these updates matter: Every year, millions of dollars go toward improving educational opportunities for America’s young people. But without a reliable measure of how well those investments work, no one knows whether that spending was effective—and whether schools and communities should continue investing in similar strategies. So, we created the Student Achievement Report as part of NCLB 2.0.

A: If you live in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, you probably already understand that special needs education can be challenging for both teachers and parents. But did you realize just how many children struggle in school because they have physical disabilities, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities? According to statistics gathered through the Canadian Centre of Excellence on Community Living (CCECL), approximately 1% of Canadians have some form of disability. Of those individuals, nearly half experience some type of mental health challenge, making this group particularly vulnerable in terms of educational outcomes.
In fact, according to CCECL, only 50 percent of people with a diagnosis receive services from community and government agencies across Canada — meaning that many people living with intellectual/developmental disabilities go untended to. And if these numbers aren’t shocking enough, CCECL found that, while only 2% of adults in Canada have a severe cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory impairment disorders, almost 20% of seniors live below the poverty line due to disability and lack of supports. These findings show us just how critical early intervention can be.
So, what does this mean for you? It’s really quite obvious that if you’re going to teach kids who have special needs, you’ll need to find ways to adapt. Here are five tips to consider if you want to become a teacher who helps special needs children thrive:
1.) Consider working in a specialized classroom. If you’ve always wanted to work with children but weren’t able to find an opening because no schools offered the program, then perhaps you should reconsider teaching in a specific setting. Many programs offer opportunities specifically geared toward educating young learners, like children with autism. Some programs focus on helping children develop motor skills, while others cater exclusively to students with cerebral palsy. Whatever type of student you’d love to see learn, look into whether there are options available at your local school board or private institutions.

A: Meet some of our Mt Uniacke Inclusion & ELSI Specialists who currently provide services for Children ages 3 years old through High School Students...
MIA Special Needs Program Student: “After being removed from my foster home following drug issues I found myself living next door to MIA’s Centre. They really took me under wing and helped me get back on track.“
Mia Solicitor Client: “Her ability to understand children with special needs was beyond comprehension! Mia knows every aspect of her profession inside and outside the courtroom!“
MIA Education Instructor/Counselor: “She always came prepared with detailed reading materials and homework assignments. Her compassion towards her clients made it easier to talk freely without worrying about judgmental comments around autism. She was great at breaking down complex topics into simpler terms allowing parents to relate better to their child”
Tutor One Staff Member: For anyone wanting to try something different like this； you will love seeing both sides of working with kids....you will be motivated because you see the smiles and hear the laughter. I wish I knew earlier about tutoring, it would’ve saved me lots of headaches. We should definitely learn together, and to use our strengths to teach others...“
Tutor 1 Child: “We had only met once before but she was amazing — super patient. She stayed engaged during entire sessions and seemed genuinely interested in helping me improve. My teachers suggested calling her again after school started because they thought the summer break would hurt my improvement in English but Ms Mehta convinced me that having extra instruction had actually improved my knowledge and understanding of language. When I saw her later in the fall term she gave me A+ marks in the class!”
Tutor 2 Family Member: “Megan did everything possible to work with our teenager and his unique situation to ensure he got good marks even though we live far away. Megan provided a safe space where he could express himself easily.