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In British Columbia, access to public education is not discretionary. It is a legally protected right. When a child has a disability, that right is further safeguarded under the BC Human Rights Code, which identifies disability as a protected characteristic. This protection applies broadly and includes physical disabilities, neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD and autism, learning disabilities, and mental health diagnoses such as anxiety. Where a disability creates ba

At the heart of education lies a question we rarely ask: are we upholding children’s rights, or merely managing their behaviour? Dignity is not a pedagogical preference. It is a legal and moral obligation. When educational systems prioritize compliance, efficiency, and control, dignity is often the first casualty. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) establishes a clear rights-based framework for what is required. Yet in many schools, these rights

For generations, education has been built on the medical model of disability, a framework that sees difference as something to diagnose, treat, and normalize. Under this model, disability is defined as a defect within the individual, something to be corrected through therapy or intervention, so the student can function more like their peers. Professionals become the experts, and the child becomes the subject of their expertise. The result is a system where IEPs often read lik

If you’re heading into an Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting, you’re not alone in feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. These meetings...

In parenting, teaching, and caregiving, we often talk about strategies—tools to help children focus, manage emotions, or meet...

In today’s world, parenting can feel like a constant tug-of-war between honoring a child’s voice and maintaining parental influence,...