The parent of a 15-year-old student with autism and severe sensory sensitivities appealed the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) decision placing the student in a special education class with partial integration.
The student had been suspended from school for autism-related behaviours and the parent sought placement in a well-established autism program, potentially outside the board, with full integration.
The school board brought a preliminary motion arguing the Tribunal lacked jurisdiction because the parent failed to appeal a subsequent identical IPRC decision.
The Tribunal dismissed the jurisdiction motion, finding that failure to sign the decision did not constitute consent.
On the merits, the Tribunal ordered the student placed in a special education class with partial integration at the secondary school's autism program, finding it was the best placement available to meet the student's complex needs.
The Tribunal also ordered the board to develop an appropriate IEP, implement behaviour strategies, provide compensatory speech therapy, and work toward increased integration.
