The big moment is just around the corner. That big moment is when your child is ready to begin school. Even if your child has a motor or speech-language disorder, she will be able to attend a school that will be able to meet her needs.
First, it is important for you to know that children who will be 4 or 5 years old on September 30, 2012, will be able to begin attending school. You should register your child in a school in your neighbourhood. Registration should begin in either late January or early February. Please visit the website of your local school board to know the exact dates for registration and the name of the school nearest you. The website should also list all of the documents that you will need for registration (birth certificate, proof of residency, etc.).
When registering, it will be important to mention that your child has special needs and is a client of the Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant. The school will be responsible for preparing a complete file on your child and on her strengths and special needs in order to ensure her integration into the classroom. Speak to the coordinator of your rehabilitation program, who can help the school complete the file by making sure that they have all of the relevant professional reports.
If the school in your neighbourhood is unable to provide your child with the required services, the school principle will forward a special education request to your school board’s special education counselor. The file will then be reviewed by a reference committee that will make the necessary arrangements to find the appropriate internal or external resource for your child. Even if the school in your neighbourhood has the appropriate resource for your child, you should, nevertheless, inform the special education counselor of your child’s registration request.
On the Island of Montreal, there are many special schools and class programs that are able to meet the needs of children with a motor or speech-language impairment.
Websites of the different school boards serving the Montreal community :