Special Education Assessment Request - London, Ontario

Education Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

Families in London, Ontario who suspect a child needs special education supports can request an assessment through their local school board. This guide explains who to contact, what the assessment and IPRC process involve, how appeals work, and which official resources to use in London, Ontario.

Contact the school board special education team in writing as the first step.

What a special education assessment is

An assessment gathers information about a student’s learning, behaviour, communication and social-emotional needs to determine eligibility for special education programs and services and to inform placement and programming.

Who is responsible

  • Thames Valley District School Board - Special Education services and referrals are managed by the board’s Special Education department.[1]
  • The London District Catholic School Board and other local boards serve students in London and have parallel special education processes.
  • Provincial rules for IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) and appeals are provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education.[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Special education assessment and placement are administrative and statutory responsibilities of school boards and the Ministry of Education rather than matters governed by municipal bylaw fines. Specific monetary fines for failing to provide assessments or services are not listed on the cited board or provincial pages; enforcement is typically administrative, through appeal and review mechanisms.

Formal enforcement is administrative—use appeal routes rather than municipal enforcement.
  • Fines or monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation for unresolved disputes: review and appeal to a school board appeal mechanism or provincial routes; specific escalation fines or ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary remedies: placement decisions, orders from an IPRC, and board-level appeal decisions; referral to provincial processes where relevant.
  • Enforcer / contact: Special Education departments at the applicable school board; contact details on board special education pages.[1]
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: submit written requests or complaints to the board’s Special Education office; further review per provincial guidance.[2]
  • Appeal / review: parents can use the board appeal process described by the Ministry; the cited provincial page describes IPRC review and appeals but does not list specific time limits on that page.
  • Defences and discretion: boards exercise discretion based on assessments, reports and documented evidence; specific statutory defences are not specified on the cited pages.

Applications & Forms

How to request: provide a written request to your school principal or the board’s Special Education department. Boards publish contact details and general referral procedures on their special education pages; however, a single mandatory provincial form is not published on the cited pages. If a board-specific referral or consent form exists, it will be available on that board’s official site or by contacting the board directly.[1]

Process overview

  • Request: parent/guardian makes a written request to the principal or special education staff.
  • Consent: boards typically require parental consent for psychological or formal assessments; consult your board for their consent procedures.[1]
  • Assessment: assessments may include educational testing, psychological assessment, speech-language, OT or other evaluations depending on needs.
  • IPRC: identification and placement decisions occur through an IPRC meeting when eligibility is in question; provincial guidance describes IPRC roles and options.[2]
  • Appeal: if you disagree with an IPRC decision, follow the board’s appeal process and provincial guidance on appeals.

FAQ

How do I request a special education assessment?
Submit a written request to your child’s principal or the board’s Special Education department; see the board special education page for contact details and procedures.[1]
How long will an assessment take?
Timelines vary by board and caseload; specific standard timelines are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with your board’s Special Education office.[1]
Can I appeal an IPRC decision?
Yes. The Ontario Ministry of Education explains IPRC and appeal options; follow your board’s appeal procedures as described on the provincial guidance.[2]

How-To

  1. Write a clear request detailing concerns and submit it to the principal and the board’s Special Education office.
  2. Ask the board for the name and contact of the Special Education contact person and any consent forms needed.
  3. Provide consent and any existing reports or medical information the board requests for the assessment.
  4. Attend assessment meetings and the IPRC if convened; request written notes and the decision in writing.
  5. If you disagree with the placement, file an appeal per your board’s process and consult the provincial guidance on IPRC appeals.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with a written request to your school board’s Special Education office.
  • Boards and the Ministry provide administrative appeal paths rather than municipal fines.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Thames Valley District School Board - Special Education
  2. [2] Ontario Ministry of Education - Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)

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