LDS is committed to providing a wide breadth of individualized support programs in person and online to meet your child’s unique learning needs. Our sliding fee scale ensures that our support remains inclusive and accessible to all families.
Our instructors include BC-Certified Teachers, Special Education Assistants, Orton-Gillingham-certified instructors, Speech Language Pathologists, Inclusive Education Instructors, and Certified Early Childhood Educators.
Individual learning plans are customized by our specialized team: a carefully matched instructor, an experienced case manager, and our Assistive Technology Manager, all coordinated by our Director of Education.
We consistently integrate leading assistive technologies in innovative ways into our programs to improve and more deeply personalize the learning process for our students.
Our multi-year studies conducted with UBC show that LDS RISE students are catching up to their general classroom peers on average by up to ½ grade level per year.
We design our physical and virtual spaces and programs with inclusivity top-of-mind. Our sliding fee scale ensures that students of all ages and backgrounds can access our support.
We deliver programs at our two learning centres, in schools, online, and onboard our LDS Access mobile classroom.
With over 17 programs for children, youth, and adults, LDS is a leader in special needs education and offers the most comprehensive learning support in Canada.
Start Here
To ensure the highest level of attention to your child’s learning needs we have outlined Program Policies that provide guidance on attendance, technology issues, online learning best practices, and more.
Policies will be updated as needed—the last updates were completed in September 2022.
For more information, please call 604.873.8139 or email info@ldsociety.ca.
Download: Welcome Package
Download: Program Policies
Download: Program Policies – Addendum for Summer
Download: 2022 Health & Safety Policy (August 4, 2022 update)
Download: Assistive Technology Reference Guide
As a nonprofit charity, LDS is dedicated to providing equitable, affordable access to learning support for all students. Click on the button below for details.
Funding
For students to get the maximum benefit from the support they receive, continuity of service is key. Please consult our calendar for LDS-wide schedule updates.
See What’s Coming UpAt LDS we provide both informal and formal assessments. Our informal/Level A assessments provide grade-level estimates for reading, writing, spelling, and math.
Each LDS student receives an informal assessment at the beginning and end of the school year from their instructor. Our formal/Level B assessments, e.g., KTEA-3, are standardized assessments provided by LDS that indicate an individual’s grade-level performance in core subject areas including, reading comprehension, math computation, math applications and concepts, letter and word recognition, spelling, and written expression.
Through our partnership with UBC PSCTC, LDS can also refer individuals with specific learning profiles for a formal psychoeducational or neuro-psych assessment.
Identifying a learning difference (LD) can be challenging, especially at an early age. Some of the common signs that an individual may have a learning difference include:
Formal assessments, such as psychoeducational evaluations (sometimes called “psych-eds”), can provide a formal diagnosis of a LD or other neurodiverse issues, but may be subject to long wait-times and material cost. At LDS we are able to offer other helpful assessments in-house, often called “Level B” assessments, such as KTEA-3, and we can also refer LDS students with specific learning profiles for psychoeducational assessments or neuro-psych assessments through our partners at UBC PSCTC.
This is part one in a five-part series on preparing for post-secondary education with a learning difference. This first part gives you the tools to get started with Accessibility Services at your school.
Learn More
Learn about a suggested resource from LDS’ Becky Bishop. This post features a recommendation to use Minecraft Education.
Learn More
ADHD is among the most common neurodevelopmental differences in Canada. Learn about how sign language can be a tool to help ADHD learners visualize and process language.
Learn More
A resource for parents or children that may struggle with time blindness. Learn how to support your child and reduce the likelihood that they will experience time blindness.
Learn More
Learn more about preparation and strategies for neurodivergent adults to have the best opportunity to succeed in final exams.
Learn More
This overview of the British Columbia schooling system is a starting point for families exploring school options. Learn about Public Schools, Independent Schools and Private Schools.
Learn More
Get outside and explore your neighbourhood with this downloadable spring treasure hunt for your family.
Learn More
What are learning disabilities, and how are they diagnosed? Learn about learning disabilities and other developmental disabilities. LDS uses a strengths-based approach so, with the proper support, individuals with learning differences can thrive.
Learn More
Learn more in this short article about EF skills and how LDS works with our learners and their families to support the ongoing development of EF skills.
Learn More
Dyslexia is a learning difference that is neurobiological in nature, makes reading difficult, and may also interfere with recognizing, spelling, writing, and decoding words. Learn to spot the signs that your child may have dyslexia.
Learn More
Dyslexia is a learning difference that is neurobiological in nature, makes reading difficult, and may also interfere with recognizing, spelling, writing, and decoding words. Learn to spot the signs that your child may have dyslexia.
Learn More
Navigating big transitions, such as starting highschool or a new school year, brings added challenges for young people who are neurodiverse, have ADHD, or experience learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. For these groups of young people, executive functioning skills often require extra support to develop in a resilient way.
Learn More
This post is dedicated to the most common questions and concerns we see and hear from families with young children, and the ways in which families are able to receive support for these challenges in our Early RISErs program.
Learn More
RISE at Home provides expert, customized support to students with learning difference across Canada
Learn More
Need help finding useful educational resources for at-home online learning? Here are our favourites!
Learn More
Learn how a Registered Disabilities Savings Plan can help you prepare for your child’s future.
Learn MoreJennifer and Donna share their son’s story, and how working with LDS helped him realize his potential and discover his superpowers.