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SCHOOL YEARS

Preparing for school is a complex process when you have a child affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It commonly involves:

Choosing the type of school

There are several types of schools:

The type of school you choose will depend on what you want for your child and what your child will be capable of in relation to school. You will also need to consider practical things like the needs of other family members, your financial position and where you live.

Most Autism Spectrum Disorder children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or PDD-NOS will not be eligible to attend a specialist school, and it may be more difficult to secure additional resources - but not impossible! It is important for parents not to give up too soon.

In Victoria, the Department of Education and Training (DET) is responsible for mainstream and specialist schools. Irrespective of the type of school, an application for the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) should be made by the school for your child. This program provides additional supports to eligible children, based on a needs assessment.

Specialist Schools (sometimes called Special Schools or Special Developmental Schools) can cater for children with many disabilities, or specialise in particular groups or types of disabilities, such as hearing impairment, physically disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Generally speaking, children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder must also have an intellectual disability (an IQ score of 70 or below) to be eligible to attend a specialist school. There are several schools specifically for children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. These are

  • Bulleen Heights School
    (for primary and secondary aged students in the Eastern Region of Melbourne)
    Pleasant Road BULLEEN
    Phone: (03) 9850 7122
    bulleen.heights.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au

  • Wantirna Heights School
    (for primary aged students in the Eastern Region of Melbourne)
    Kingloch Parade WANTIRNA
    Phone: (03) 9720 7492
    wantirna.heights.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au

  • Mansfield Autistic Centre
    (residential school for regional families, short term placement only)
    81 Highett Street MANSFIELD
    Phone: (03) 5775 2876
    info@autismmansfield.org.au

  • Southern Autistic School
    (for primary aged students in the Southern Region of Melbourne)
    12 Margaretta St BENTLEIGH EAST
    Phone: (03) 9563 8139
    southern.autistic.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au

  • Western Autistic School
    (for primary aged students in the Western Region of Melbourne, with a unit for secondary students attached to Essendon Keilor Secondary College - Niddrie campus)
    Garnet Street NIDDRIE
    Phone: (03) 9337 9175
    western.autistic.sch@edumail.vic.gov.au

  • Northern School for Autism
    (for primary aged students in the Northern Region of Melbourne, formerly the Preston Special Developmental School)
    Preston Campus - 80 Tyler Street PRESTON
    Phone: (03) 9478 9711
    Jacana Campus - Bamburgh Street JACANA
    Phone: (03) 9309 6258
    preston.sds@edumail.vic.gov.au

A number of other specialist schools also have programs or classes specifically for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. You should ask the school if they have a special class for Autism Spectrum Disorder children.

Choosing a School

Details of all DET schools can be found on their website. This listing will help you select the schools in your area that may suit your child. The DET website also contains a list of non-government schools. Local knowledge, talking to other parents and your child's early intervention program will also help you compile your list of possible schools.

Once you have made your list of preferred schools, get on the telephone. It is not possible for us to make a list of 'good' schools - there are too many variables, including personal preference and a constant change of school staff. You will soon get a feel for each school.

Here are some things to consider after that first contact call:

  • Did you feel welcomed by a senior staff member?
  • Did they readily accept your child's right to attend their school?
  • Were they aware of Autism Spectrum Disorder - or indicate that they were willing to learn?
  • Did the staff member know about the Program for Students with Disabilities and the process of applying for additional funding?
  • Are there other students with special needs attending the school?
  • Did you get a sense that the school had an attitude of treating all students as individuals with individual needs?

A positive school enrolment is one where you and your child are made welcome, your concerns are addressed in a timely way, and the staff show a keen interest in learning about Autism Spectrum Disorders and how to teach your child.

Decide which schools you would like to visit and make an appointment with each. It is wise not to take your child on these preliminary visits, as it will be too confusing for them. Try to visit on a normal school day, not a special 'open day'.

After your visits, here are a few more things to consider:

  • Was the Principal positive? If not, it is unlikely he/she will enthusiastically support staff members.
  • Did the school offer you enrolment documents and details about the Program for Students with Disabilities?
  • Does the school seem prepared to be flexible to meet the needs of your child?
  • Does the school have an integration support teacher?
  • Did you feel that there was a productive 'buzz' about the place?

Autism Victoria has prepared a more detailed article to assist families to choose a school for their child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  It can be downloaded here.

Enrolling your Child

Once you choose your school, you will need to enrol your child. In a DET or Catholic School, the Principal will ask for details that will be on your child's assessment report. These include:

  • The letter or document stating the diagnosis
  • Your child's IQ score
  • The Childhood Autism Rating Scale or CARS score
  • Details of your child's speech and language assessment
  • Scores from a test of Adaptive Behaviour (usually the Vineland Test).

These details should indicate that your child is eligible for the Program for Students with Disabilities (or the Catholic Education Office equivalent). Once the school has enrolled your child, they will form a Program Support Group (PSG) and start to plan for your child's program.

Parents are members of the PSG, and are able to have a supporter or advocate attend meetings with them. If only one parent is able to attend PSG meetings, a supporter or advocate is highly recommended. Unfortunately, Autism Victoria is not able to provide this type of advocacy support. The Association for Children with a Disability is able to provide parents with support with school issues.

The PSG will complete an Educational Needs Questionnaire and application form for the Program for Students with Disabilities. The regional office usually advises schools of the decision just before the end of each school year. In the meantime, the PSG should prepare a school transition program. This should include input from your child's early intervention program, if applicable.

Enrolling your child is not always easy. Rather, bureaucracy does not always make enrolment easy! Here are some hurdles you could meet.

  • Assessment reports that are considered incomplete or out of date - you may be required to arrange further assessments, often at your own cost.
  • Major staff changes may occur at the school - you may have to revisit your list of preferred schools.
  • A Principal or regional officer may say that your child is not eligible for the Program for Students with Disabilities - ask for the reasons why in writing and contact Autism Victoria or the Association for Children with a Disability.
  • Allocation of an inadequate amount of support funding, or no funding at all - the PSG can and should appeal an unacceptable funding decision.

Teaching the School Community

There are many ways to help your child's new school learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder. These could involve

  • Arranging for a teacher or clinician who knows your child to speak to the staff.
  • Arranging for an outreach teacher from an autism specialist school to provide training to the staff at your school.
  • Preparing an Autism Spectrum Disorder information package for the school.
  • Making an information book about your child.
  • Inviting the school to join Autism Victoria and encouraging your child's teacher to use our Library.

It is important to remain positive and to appreciate the many demands placed on teachers and schools. A teacher may have previously taught a student with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, but that does not mean that they are an 'expert' - every Autism Spectrum Disorder child is different. It will take time for the school to understand your child.

Preparing your child for school

Your child's early intervention program will help with the transition to school. Here are some suggestions for things you can do.

  • Arrange visits to the school and participation in short sessions or activities - start with time periods as short as five or ten minutes - and gradually increase these.
  • Prepare a Social Story, or series of stories, to help your child understand the routines and social situations at school.
  • Make a 'School Scrapbook' - including photos of the buildings, classroom, canteen, toilets, playground and key staff members.
  • Prepare a calendar to count down the days (and intervening major events) before school starts.

It is important to be aware of things that are important to your child, or that make him or her anxious. Prepare a daily schedule or timetable to help reduce these anxieties. A colourful chart will show your child that lunchtime, toilet time and home time are part of the school day and he or she won't miss out!

Hopefully the school will cater for any particular obsession your child may have, and include 'chill out' time where he or she can engage in their obsession. Your child needs to know these times (and conditions), so that they will more readily accept the boundaries that the school will impose.

Many of the books on our Reading Lists cover schooling issues.