About Fort Classrooms

The Fort is an environment designed to help children with FASD thrive. There are six students in the classroom, and it is equipped and designed to accommodate the sensory needs of children with FASD. Academic instruction is provided by a WRDSB teacher that focuses on numeracy and literacy and is tailored to the individual leaning strengths and needs of each student at their learning stage.

We have a team of child and youth workers who provide extensive emotional, behavioural and practical supports to each child so that their day is successful. They provide a curriculum of social skills and life skills training that is shown to be beneficial. The curriculum has therapeutic components, including mindfulness training, music therapy, nature therapy and Emotion Focused therapy. Fort children also have access Carizon’s counselling services.

The classroom does not end at the end of the school day. A family support worker is available to parents/guardians of Fort children to help them find the help they need in the community and to provide advice and coaching on the various aspects of parenting a child with FASD.

THE FORT IS DESIGNED TO

• Minimize environmental stimuli – fewer bright colours placed strategically in the classroom, light filters, noise-cancelling headphones, etc.
• Provide predictable and consistent structure in the classroom
• Appropriately accommodate for adjusted academic and behavioural expectations
• Engage parents in ongoing dialogue to understand each students’ unique strengths and needs.
• Support parents and caregivers as they raise children with FASD.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Your child may be eligible for The Fort if your child:

• Lives in Waterloo Region
• Is 8 to 12 years of age Has been formally diagnosed with an FASD (FAS, pFAS, ARND)
• Would benefit from a specialized learning environment and supports for behavioural, emotional, and/or executive functioning challenges.