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Autism Program Ignites Joyful Learning for Youth
6 Feb
Summary
- Learningo offers alternative education for youth with autism.
- Program focuses on emotional regulation and life skills.
- Waitlist highlights demand for specialized support services.
Learningo, a non-profit organization established in 2016, offers an alternative educational environment for youth aged five to 25 who are on the autism spectrum or have other complex needs. The program's new 'co-schooling' space in the Bedford Place Mall is dedicated to teaching essential skills ranging from emotional regulation and functional communication to literacy and life skills.
Emily Robar, the executive director, emphasizes that Learningo's approach breaks down skills to ensure success in all aspects of a student's life. Staff, including behavioural analysts and educational assistants, provide intensive one-to-one support, which is often challenging to achieve in traditional school settings due to resource limitations and staffing shortages.
The program serves a range of participants, some attending public school part-time while others are primarily homeschooled. Despite a session costing $75, families utilize respite funding, and the organization relies on grants and fundraising. The persistent waitlist for their co-schooling program underscores the critical need for such specialized services, demonstrating families' commitment to securing essential support for their children.




