About Us

Oakwood Academy is the only recognized school in Canada using the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based (DIR®) Model. Our school was developed to serve the growing need for individualized education programs that focus on emotional regulation, communication skills, social-emotional skills and supporting their sensory systems. 

Our unique developmental approach focuses on the child’s interest and social relationships to increase the student’s communication with others and uses social relationships as the cornerstone of curricular development. Every aspect of our school is designed to meet the individual differences and needs of our students so that they can reach their greatest potential.

Our Team

At Oakwood Academy, the classroom is only part of what we do! Each day, our teachers and developmental therapists strive to support our students’ development as a whole—cognitively, physically and emotionally. A large part of our programming is supported by our multidisciplinary team, including an Occupational Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Physiotherapist and Music Therapist. These professionals support our students’ ability to navigate their physical world, as well as to relate, engage and communicate with others.