A partnership that began nearly seven years ago has developed into a new education program for the Ellen Gunn Education Centre at Ranch Ehrlo Society’s Corman Park campus. The day program is for autistic students.

Ranch Ehrlo’s relationship with the Saskatoon Public School Division (SPSD) began with the school division allowing the agency to rent a room in one of their schools. Eventually, SPSD approached the agency with the possibility of one of their students joining the Ranch’s day student program. In what would turn out to be a twist of fate only recognized several years down the road, the student fell on the autism spectrum. He and one other student were accepted into the program and remained at Ellen Gunn Education Centre for three years.

In February 2016, SPSD toured the Transition Centre in Regina to learn more about their day program.

“They were very excited and impressed with the program there, and they came back to me and asked if I could replicate that for some autistic kids they had, as they couldn’t provide all the supports these students required in a mainstream school,” explained Shawn Ly, director of education programs north and principal at Ellen Gunn Education Centre in Corman Park

school Ellen Gunn Education Centre

It would be possible, but in order to make it happen, Shawn required a commitment from SPSD – an entirely new program would need to be created, requiring funding and resources. SPSD agreed and Shawn began the process of creating the program.

A classroom at Ellen Gunn was set aside for the children, equipped with sofas, large tables, and beanbag chairs instead of traditional desks. One teacher and two EAs, all with extensive experience working with autistic children, were hired and trained in agency-specific methods such as Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI). A van was purchased to transport the children from their homes in Saskatoon to the campus at Corman Park.

In September 2016, three autistic children, ages 11, 13, and 13, were officially enrolled in Corman Park’s day student program.

“It so happens that one of the children is the same one we worked with three years ago,” Shawn said.

“It’s going well. We expected some hiccups at the beginning of the year, because for kids on the autism spectrum, change is not always a great thing,” he explained. “The kids now are settling in, they’re getting into a routine. Things are going well.”

Staff and students alike at Ellen Gunn have accepted the new students with ease, and collaboration between existing staff and the new staff hired for the program is strong.

“Everyone has worked together and lent a helping hand when needed,” Shawn said of the staff.

“As for our kids – they don’t see these children any different than they see themselves. They’ve welcomed these three new students with open arms.”