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Mom with a 6-year old autistic son on a visitor's visa

saisaineri

Member
Jun 9, 2021
15
0
For anyone with chronic illness or special needs the reality is that you end up supplementing public services with your own money because some things are not covered, there are waitlists or you are only approved to get a certain amount of services. Just wanted to clarify that school for special needs children still exist but it is only for very high needs students. There is some variability by provinces but in general there is a push to mainstream children with autism or other special needs and there are less teachers aides especially one on on aides for budget reasons. It sounds like this family moved to Canada assuming that they'd be able to get a WP and remain in Canada. That is actually much harder than people thing and given the higher unemployment rate due to covid it may be harder. An extension is not guaranteed for the mother and child because it is pretty obvious that they are not intending to be temporary visitors.
Thansk for the info but i do have a family here. My mom and brother are citizens here and My mom's side have already migrated here for 40 years and I was just here to visit until they already asked me to stay here permanently. That's why i'm trying to help my son settle down as well.
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,745
9,454
Thansk for the info but i do have a family here. My mom and brother are citizens here and My mom's side have already migrated here for 40 years and I was just here to visit until they already asked me to stay here permanently. That's why i'm trying to help my son settle down as well.
How are you staying permanently? If you don’t have permanent status or a working permit, you can’t register your child for school.
 

saisaineri

Member
Jun 9, 2021
15
0
How are you staying permanently? If you don’t have permanent status or a working permit, you can’t register your child for school.
I do have a working permit already and in 2 years I can apply for a permanent residency after. That's why my questions was while doing all the process within the 2 years, i was wondering if my son is eligible to go to a special education school or have therapies here. He is already here with me in Canada.
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,745
9,454
I do have a working permit already and in 2 years I can apply for a permanent residency after. That's why my questions was while doing all the process within the 2 years, i was wondering if my son is eligible to go to a special education school or have therapies here. He is already here with me in Canada.
Where do you live? You can always do therapies and pay out of pocket. As mentioned most children go to a regular school and receive assistance at the school. I know for my kids’ school boards, there are no schools just for special needs. There are private schools to pay out of pocket. Have you completed a pyscho educational assessment and received an autism diagnosis. You will need the assessment to apply for any funding.
 
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canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,436
13,460
Thansk for the info but i do have a family here. My mom and brother are citizens here and My mom's side have already migrated here for 40 years and I was just here to visit until they already asked me to stay here permanently. That's why i'm trying to help my son settle down as well.
Family members asking you to stay in Canada doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to remain in Canada. You will need to register for your local school district. You’ll need provide oroof of your work permit to enrol your child into school and proof of where you live like a lease, utility bill, etc. Where you live usually determines where your child will attend school.. Depending how and where he was evaluated for autism he may need to join the waitlist to be evaluated again. In most provinces you will end up joining a waitlist if not many waitlists. Would also anticipate you will need to pay for some services because the amount covered is usually not enough. Would anticipate that your child will be joining a normal classroom when not in therapy. Would suggest joining autism groups in your local area to get advice on how to navigate the system and what services you will be realistically be able to have access to that will be covered by the province and what will not be covered.
 
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saisaineri

Member
Jun 9, 2021
15
0
Where do you live? You can always do therapies and pay out of pocket. As mentioned most children go to a regular school and receive assistance at the school. I know for my kids’ school boards, there are no schools just for special needs. There are private schools to pay out of pocket. Have you completed a pyscho educational assessment and received an autism diagnosis. You will need the assessment to apply for any funding.
We live in Coquitlam City.. do you happen to know the system here?
 

saisaineri

Member
Jun 9, 2021
15
0
Family members asking you to stay in Canada doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to remain in Canada. You will need to register for your local school district. You’ll need provide oroof of your work permit to enrol your child into school and proof of where you live like a lease, utility bill, etc. Where you live usually determines where your child will attend school.. Depending how and where he was evaluated for autism he may need to join the waitlist to be evaluated again. In most provinces you will end up joining a waitlist if not many waitlists. Would also anticipate you will need to pay for some services because the amount covered is usually not enough. Would anticipate that your child will be joining a normal classroom when not in therapy. Would suggest joining autism groups in your local area to get advice on how to navigate the system and what services you will be realistically be able to have access to that will be covered by the province and what will not be covered.
Thanks for this one.. this was very informative, anyway, we are already working with a lawyer and consultant with this matter but i still wanted to know more about the opinions from this forum. I really learned a lot.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,436
13,460
Well aware, but they can still contact them.
Given that the process is different for international students it would be a waste of OPs and the international student organization's time. OP can contact the school board for more information about registering for school and services for children with autism as a child who has access to public education through the WP of the mother.
 
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