Education
This is a site made by parents - for parents. The information below relates to the Sydney region, however we are in process of building a more national database. Please email wendy@autismawareness.com.au with relevant information on other states.
Public Education
NSW Department of Education and Training
Three primary types of support are available for students with Autism in Department of Education schools.
1. Regular classroom placement (with or without some teacher's aide assistance).
2. Placement in a support class, some classes are autism specific and run by Aspect, and some are general special needs classes. These can be I.M. (mild to moderate disability) or O.M. (moderate to severe disability).
3. Placement in a Special School (SSP).
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/programs/disability.php
Private Education
Woodbury Autism Education and Research
Woodbury, located in Baulkham Hills, is an independent school for children with Autism aged 4 to 15 years. The school offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs to each child, as well as complying with all Board of Studies requirements.
www.woodbury.org.au
Giant Steps
Giant steps school is located in Gladesville, Sydney and caters for students up to 18 years who have a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and associated developmental delay.
www.giantsteps.net.au/programsandservices.aspx
ASPECT
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) operates six schools catering for children 4 to 16 years in New South Wales, located in the Sydney metropolitan region, the Hunter region, the Central Coast region and the South Coast.
Aspect also operates over 50 satellite classes within mainstream schools across the state.
Some outreach and early intervention services are also available to schools on a fee-for-service basis.
http://www.aspect.org.au/our%20services/schools.asp
Catholic Education
All dioceses in the Sydney region advise parents to contact their local parish school in the first instance, about one year ahead of placement. Wherever appropriate, students are placed in an inclusive mainstream setting. Some schools have special needs teachers, and some limited teacher's aide time may be allocated.
All dioceses have satellite classes run by Aspect in several locations.
Diocese of Parramatta
Also has a class for students with moderate intellectual disabilities at Llandilo.
Phone Lynn Booth: Manager Special Education (02) 9840 5740.
Diocese of Sydney
Contact Ron Williams: Head Office (02) 9568 8213 ron.williams@ceo.syd.catholic.edu.au
Inner West: Jenni Trew (02) 9643 3600 jenni.trew.@ceo.syd.catholic.edu.au
South Sydney: Mary Cloren (02) 9772 7000 mary.cloren@ceo.syd.catholic.edu.au
East Sydney: Vanessa Smith (02) 8344 3000 vanessa.smith@ceo.syd.catholic.edu.au
Diocese of Broken Bay
Danny Rankin: Head of Special Needs team (02) 9847 0384 mailout@cso.brokenbay.catholic.edu.au
Has two independent special needs schools:
St Lucy's, Wahroonga, K to 6, (02) 9487 1277
St Edmonds, Wahroonga, years 7 to 12, (02) 4324 5300
Other General Special Needs Schools
For a list of other government and independent special needs schools go to: www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au/search-specialneeds.php