Professional Development for Teachers and Other School Staff
If you are a teacher or school staff member who works with school aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), there is a national program of professional development available to help you build your knowledge, skills and expertise in working with these students.
What professional development is available to teachers/school staff?
Commencing in October 2008, the professional development will provide:
- practical and useful strategies to improve the learning outcomes of students with ASD across all school-settings;
- information on the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards for Education 2005;
- materials and resources that reflect and complement your state and territory policies and resources; and
- support for whole-school change processes.
What are the key features of the professional development?
Key features include:
- a five day equivalent professional development program;
- a residential component of at least two days;
- the establishment of a professional network and access to local expertise following the professional development;
- this website for interactive online learning; and
- a focus on building schools' capacity and sustaining the learning momentum following the professional development.
The professional development will complement the workshops and information sessions being offered to parents and carers of school aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
How will schools and participants be selected for the professional development program?
The process will involve consultation with education authorities as part of the collaborative planning process in your state or territory to strategically identify participating schools.
What will teachers and other school staff learn?
Teachers and other school staff participating in the professional development will:
- Increase their understanding, skills and expertise in working with students with ASD in the full range of government and non government schools, with a focus on:
- gaining up–to-date information about ASD and its impact on students' learning and participation;
- working in partnerships with parents/carers;
- developing a learner profile for students and identifying effective teaching strategies;
- making curriculum adjustments according to the needs of the child;
- working effectively with education assistants;
- understanding mental health issues that older primary and secondary aged students with ASD may face;
- developing strategies to strengthen the student's social relationships; and
- supporting students at key transition points.
- Learn how to foster an ‘autism friendly' culture in schools and develop productive connections and partnerships between schools and the broader community.
- Strengthen their teaching methods and support for students with ASD.
- Join a professional network, following the professional development workshop, to share and access additional information and resources.