Welcome to our first-ever School-Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS) newsletter! It is for teachers, resource teachers, early childhood educators, educational assistants, administrators and other school staff who are interested in learning more about how to create inclusive, supportive classrooms for students with different needs and abilities.

Crafted exclusively for our school partners, this must-read newsletter will offer updates about Grandview Kids' programs and services that are the most relevant to you. We will also share helpful tips from our clinicians that can be used in your schools and classrooms.

The newsletter will be distributed twice a year: once in the Fall (at the start of the school year), and once in the Spring (before the school year draws to a close). If you have any questions about the newsletter or Grandview Kids SBRS, please contact Linda Laing, Grandview Kids Director of Clinical Services, School Years, via email to Linda.Laing@grandviewkids.ca.

1. Ensure we have your school's updated SERT/PST contact information.
2. Learn how to submit an online SBRS referral.
3. Review our new SBR-Occupational Therapy Tiered Intervention Model, rolling out in early adopter schools this fall.
4. Read about the role of clinicians for Special Equipment Amount (SEA) funding.

Contact list - keep us updated!

To ensure that we have updated information for the Special Education Resource Teachers (SERTs) or Program Support Teachers (PST) at your school, please email service.navigation@grandviewkids.ca with the following information:

Subject line: SERT/PST contact for [insert school name]

Name: If there are multiple staff, please include the Grade(s) that each SERT/PST supports.

Email address: Please include an email address for each SERT/PST listed.

If you would like an SBR Service Report (a list of the students at your school on the waitlist and in service delivery), please indicate this in your email.

Moving to online SBRS referrals

We are moving from paper to electronic referrals using a new platform called Ocean. Last year, some schools had the opportunity to trial the new system. This school year, we will be implementing it across all schools supported by Grandview Kids. 

Note: We will be discontinuing the use of paper referrals by FAX or e-mail, effective September 29, 2023.

Grandview Kids has developed a number of educational materials (available here on our website) about how to create an Ocean account and how to send electronic referrals. If you have technical issues using the Ocean tool, you can email contact@ereferralontarioeast.ca. If you have questions about SBRS eligibility or the referral process, please email service.navigation@grandviewkids.ca.

Launching Occupational Therapy Tiered Intervention Model in early adopter schools

Starting this Fall, we are rolling out the Tiered Occupational Therapy Model in 78 early adopter schools across Durham District, Durham Catholic and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Boards. Tiered Occupational Therapy provides the right help, at the right time, in the right way to any student.

A student can access all Tiers simultaneously, depending on their need. Tier One is targeted at Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes, but could be used in small, specialized classes or other Grades for a specific purpose.

Teachers and Resource Teachers will identify when they want Tier One support and in what capacity. If more than Tier One strategies are needed for a student, the Resource Teacher and Occupational Therapist (OT) will discuss to determine if an OT referral is required, or if there are other Tier One opportunities. The school will meet with the OT to determine the priority for intervention for all current students in service and those on the waitlist.

Urgent referrals for the following reasons are the only referrals that do not require OT approval:

• Mobility – unable to move within the school environment to access the bathroom or enter/exit school
• Access to the school environment – unable to use stairs to their classroom, lifts/transfers or for emergency exiting; new to the school; change in physical function
• Feeding – change in ability to eat safely
• Toileting – unable to access the bathroom or changing surface (not incontinence training)
• Positioning – unable to access any secondary surface if unable to weight shift in a wheelchair

Within the next few days, we will send details regarding Tiered Service information sessions (early adopter schools only). We will offer various times and dates to attend a 30-minute session.

Special Equipment Amount (SEA)

Role of the Occupational Therapist (OT), Physiotherapist (PT) and Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Recommendation letters can be written by OTs and PTs in support of procuring equipment when their assessments have determined that the equipment is essential for the student to access the curriculum or the school environment. The OT and PT will review the recommendation with the school and the student's parent/caregiver before writing the letter to ensure it is the best fit for the student.

Please keep in mind that this is a recommendation letter only. Ultimately, the school will decide whether or not to proceed with this equipment. Sometimes, a trial of a piece of equipment will occur before the therapist recommends it. The recommended equipment could be acquired through a centralized equipment pool or purchased 'new' by the school. For pieces of equipment that will be purchased, it is up to the school to determine if this will be ordered through the school (or classroom budget) or requested through Special Equipment Amount (SEA) funding. All maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of the school. 

Please reach out to your school's OT and/or PT if you have any questions.

Helpful tips from Grandview Kids clinicians

Creating visual schedules

Written by Grandview Kids Occupational Therapists Heather and Maddie

Back to school means back to a stricter schedule for most kids who have enjoyed lazy summer days with very little structure. 

Visual schedules are great ways for students to learn what to expect next and prepare for those transitions.

Here are some tips to get the most out of your visual schedules:

• Static schedules stay the same and are a great way to learn the day's routine.
• Removable schedules include symbols that can be removed by the student when the activity is complete. This can be highly motivating for some students!
• Colours and pictures are always attractive and will help students with language difficulties.
• The schedule should always be posted at a height suitable for the students.

Here are examples of visual schedules you can incorporate into your classroom:

Example of a static schedule

Example of a removable schedule

Helping students pick safe backpacks

Written by Grandview Kids Physiotherapists Aaron and Holly

Backpacks are a must-have for back-to-school, and styles change between Grades.

Choosing a backpack is a child's way of expressing themselves and their unique likes and styles! 

Here are some tips for making sure that your students are being safe with their backpacks:

• Always wear both straps, especially for younger students (Grades 3 and below). Ensuring the backpack's weight is evenly spread across both shoulders is crucial.
• Make sure the backpack is in the middle of the back; that might mean you need to tighten the straps. Carrying the load in the middle of the back is safest.
• For the most support, ensure the heaviest items are at the back of the backpack, closest to the back.
• Keep the weight at 10-15% of a child's body weight – for an average 5-year-old who weighs 50lbs, that's no more than 5-7.5lbs!

The Grandview Kids Ability Acceptance Program

Make your school more inclusive for all students: Host a presentation on Ability Acceptance

At Grandview Kids, we aim to actively contribute to a community that is inclusive and accepting of all abilities. Our Ability Acceptance Program is available to schools, with the goal to enhance the understanding and acceptance of all abilities and promote inclusive practices in the classroom and beyond. We teach about easy ways to be an inclusive ally, the history and prevalance of disabilities in Canada, AODA considerations and more. The presentation is appropriate for staff or students.

Through this program, we offer:

• Presenters with lived experience (former Grandview clients or caregivers)
• Presentations tailored to all audiences, including adults, youth and children (starting in Grade 6)
• Virtual and in-person options

To request a presentation, fill out this form. For more information, visit our website under Resources > Ability Acceptance Program.

Register for our monthly newsletter for Grandview Kids clients, caregivers, their families and our community partners: Gather by Grandview! Distributed on the first of every month, Gather shares all things Grandview: new programs and projects, upcoming events, important announcements, and more.

Want to view past editions of Gather by Grandview?

View the archived list on our website!