The Positive Partnerships: supporting school aged students on the autism spectrum project delivers two components of the Helping Children with Autism package being implemented by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The aim of both components is to improve the educational outcomes for school aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

The two components are:

1. professional development for teachers and other school staff who are working with students with ASD (Professional Development Component); and
2. workshops and information sessions for parents and carers of school aged children with ASD (Parent/Carer Component).

Both components are delivered nationally by the Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium (AAETC). 

"As a parent/carer of such a child, I must tell you that this was the best run event I have ever attended in many years of attending seminars/workshops in many spheres of business and education. It was run by competent, caring, switched on professionals who were obviously well aware of all the challenges for students, parents and educationalists when our children enter the school system.

We were given practical guidelines and strategies for dealing with any type of challenge. Any type of challenge can be successfully managed if we know the why, who, what, when and how.

Each of these sessions are accompanied with information folder to take home with pages of resources to follow up on your child’s level of need.

And the entire two days, including morning and afternoon tea, and sumptuous lunches cost me absolutely nothing – zero dollars!"

Susette Evans, attended a workshop in Western Australia