If they need it, your child can get extra support at school to help their learning and development.
The law says schools should make reasonable adjustments so students with disability have the same opportunities as their peers.
How schools support children with autism
Best practice is a ‘whole school approach’ for autism. This means the school community should work together to support autistic children.
To achieve this, schools make sure:
- the school has an inclusive culture
- staff have up-to-date knowledge about autism
- teachers use student strengths and interests to plan the curriculum
- everyone who works with a child communicates and collaborates with each other
- autistic children can take part in and contribute to their local community.
The Victorian Autism Education Strategy aims to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for autistic students in Victorian government schools.
Read more about how schools and parents can support autistic students. Support is also available if your child has learning difficulties.
Learning
No 2 children are the same. If needed, teachers can make reasonable adjustments to support your child's participation. For example, the teacher could:
- use visual timetables so your child knows what work is coming up
- break big tasks into manageable chunks
- use the Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (ABLES) tool to support learning.
Student support groups
A student support group can help make sure your child gets the right support at school. It gives you the opportunity to work with your child’s teachers to make decisions about their education.
Student support services
Your child’s school has access to student support services who can work with your child. For example, psychologists and social workers.
Autism specialist schools
All children have the right to enrol in their designated neighbourhood government school.
Students with disability and high needs who meet eligibility criteria may also be able to seek enrolment at a specialist school.
Some specialist schools are for children with autism:
- Bulleen Heights School
- Eastern Ranges School
- Endeavour Hills Specialist School (also intellectual disability)
- Jacana School for Autism
- Jennings Street School
- Niddrie Autistic School
- Northern School for Autism
- Southern Autistic School
- Western Autistic School.
Support for schools
Support materials for teachers
Teachers have access to autism support materials, which include:
- information about autism
- ways teachers can support the learning and development of autistic children.
Professional development for teachers
Schools provide regular professional development opportunities for teachers and other school staff. This includes the Supporting Students with Autism course.
We offer subsidies for the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Teaching Autistic Students. This is run by the Autism Teaching Institute.
Schools provide regular professional development opportunities for teachers and other school staff. Read more about the range of opportunities.
Accessible buildings
Your child’s school can get support to make their buildings more accessible for children with additional needs. This includes the Accessible Buildings Program.
Disability Inclusion
Disability Inclusion is part of the Government’s approach to inclusive education. It provides extra support for students with disability in Victorian Government schools.
If your child is part of the Program for Students with Disability (PSD), they will continue to get support from their school while we are introducing Disability Inclusion and it replaces the PSD. Your child’s school will help you work through the new Disability Inclusion Profile.
Read more about disability support at school.
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