What are the support options at school?

Autistic children can thrive at school with the right support.

Understanding what support options are available at your child’s school and how to access them can empower families, and sometimes students themselves, to advocate for what they need to learn and grow alongside their peers.

It’s important to remember that support options vary greatly between different types of schools and between Australian states and territories. The best way to determine what support is available at your child’s school is to ask them directly. Here are some support options families can ask about.

Support options to consider

Class teachers

Primary school teachers set the early foundations for learning. They are responsible for designing daily lesson plans that meet curriculum requirements and involve different subjects. Their role also involves classroom management and the ongoing assessment and evaluation of students’ development.

High school teachers specialise in specific subject areas (e.g., maths, visual art) but share similar responsibilities to primary school teachers in terms of implementing and tracking adjustments for their students, ensuring their lessons cater to the learning needs of all of their students.

Learning and support team (LST)

The Learning and support team (LST) identifies students who require accommodations and adjustments at school and works to support teachers who have students with additional needs in their classrooms.

Their work includes data collection (e.g., helping create IEPs or behaviour plans), supporting classroom teachers, and creating and/or sharing resources to meet the learning needs and goals of students with additional needs. They are also responsible for creating partnerships with parents/carers and the wider school community, encouraging a collaborative approach to supporting a child. 

Learning and support teachers offer direct, specialist assistance to students within mainstream classes. They work closely with other teachers and parents to ensure that the specific needs of students are being met, focusing on evidence-based programs and school priorities.

Student Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) also provide targeted assistance under the direction of classroom teachers. They support students with additional learning needs by helping them navigate school routines, participate in classroom activities, and manage day-to-day school life.

Year advisors

Year advisors focus on the overall wellbeing of students in designated year groups, understanding how emotional and social health impacts learning. They are often the first point of contact for families concerning their child's needs, bridging communication between the school and home.

School counsellors

School counsellors with teaching credentials and qualifications in psychology who support students experiencing difficulties at school or home. They are part of a school’s student welfare team. Some also provide psychological assessments.

Principals

Principals are at the head of school communities and have a broad range of duties, from creating effective teaching and learning strategies to making financial decisions. Their leadership is crucial in supporting the needs of all students and managing school resources. Principals also play a significant role in staff development, community engagement, and guiding change and reforms within the school.

Other support options

Some schools may also have the following support staff; however, these roles are less common: 

Career counsellors

Career counsellors help students plan for life after high school, guiding subject choices and/or vocational training they will need for their desired career path. They can also provide advice about further education and employment options. 

Senior Psychologist Education (SPE)

SPEs lead teams of school counsellors and psychologists, coordinating comprehensive psychological services in schools to enhance student learning and wellbeing.

Assistant principal: learning and support

This role involves overseeing support across the school for students with additional learning needs and running professional training for staff on implementing learning adjustments.

Assistant principal: hearing and vision

Assistant Principals for Hearing and Vision manage and support personalised learning for students with hearing and vision impairments. They collaborate with various professionals and agencies to ensure these students receive tailored support.

Itinerant support teachers

Itinerant Support Teachers specialise in early intervention and sensory impairments (hearing or vision). They work from early childhood through to the commencement of school, supporting staff and developing transition plans for children moving into formal education.

Student support services

Operating from Education Offices, the Student Support Services team offers strategic and responsive assistance to schools, supporting both educational staff and parents.

Making the most of support options

The approach to securing additional support at school begins with a request from the child’s family. This allows parents and educators to tailor the support to the child's changing needs over time. It’s better to ask for everything when making this request and then work backwards from there.

Working collaboratively with your child’s school is important for the success of your child’s education. By communicating openly and frequently with relevant staff, your child’s school can create a learning environment that supports their needs and celebrates their strengths. As your child’s needs and goals change as they grow, raise this with your child’s school so learning and support strategies can be adjusted.

There are also external support options for autistic children that can improve their experience at school. Early intervention and therapies can support children’s learning, social skills and other developmental milestones.