Interactions (English) Program

Interactions programming supports students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD impacts how people understand what they see, hear and sense. This lifelong disability can result in difficulties in communication, social relationships, behaviour or learning. Although some students with ASD achieve at grade level, many have uneven or delayed achievement. All Edmonton Public Schools programming is based on curriculum determined by Alberta Education. Students enrolled in Interactions will receive the same high-quality education offered in all of our programs.

For more information on the Interactions program Click Here.

For students with specialized programming, inclusion in the community school is the first option considered. Inclusion refers not only to setting but to specially designed instruction and support for students in regular classrooms.  Parents and school staff work together to provide the best support to each student. For more information regarding Specialized Programming Click here. 

GOALS

• Improve communication, social interaction and behaviour while developing academic skills

Benefits

• Demonstrate growth in communication skills
• Demonstrate growth in building and maintaining relationships, and understanding social situations 
• Demonstrate growth in managing frustration and problem-solving
• Improved ability to handle change or challenging emotions (e.g. anxiety)
• Development of life skills to support independent living and employment

Program Delivery

• Structured environment with regular routines
• Smaller classes for more targeted instruction
• Visual aids, concrete examples and hands on activities
• Frequent praise and other meaningful rewards to help students adopt positive behaviours and attitudes
• Opportunities to join other classes for instruction in a student's areas of strength

Eligibility

To be eligible for programming, students must be:

• 5 1/2 to 19 years old on September 1
• Clinically disagnosed with ASD
• Demonstrating stereotyped behaviours, and have severe impairment in social interactions and communication. 

Alberta Curriculum

All Edmonton Public Schools programming is based on curriculum determined by Alberta Education. Students enrolled in Interactions will receive the same high quality education offered in all of our programs. 

Transportation

Most schools offering special education programming have some yellow busing options available. For more information about busing, please contact the office at 780-436-6740 or brander@epsb.ca or call Student Transportation at 780-429-8585.