On this page
Our website uses both identity first language and people first language.
As a department we recognise that there are people in the autistic and autism community who prefer:
- identity first language (for example ‘autistic person’)
- people first language (for example ‘student on the autism spectrum’)
- people who use the terms interchangeably.
Improved support services for autistic students were introduced in 2023, including:
- appointing an Autism Inclusion Teacher in every public primary school
- increasing staff in preschools with qualifications in autism
- exploring opportunities to offer more early childhood intervention services in children’s centres
- having more specialist staff in schools.
Autism Inclusion Teachers
An Autism Inclusion Teacher (AIT) has been appointed in every public school with primary school students.
Autism Inclusion Teachers help teachers to:
- understand autism and increase knowledge about evidence informed practices for autism
- build relationships and promote autistic student voice and agency
- implement sensory and environmental adjustments at their site
- share evidence informed resources and training.
Progress so far
Since the initiative started in 2023 AITs have:
- participated in the 2-day Positive Partnerships workshop
- attended and engaged in regular network meetings
- received training on anxiety in autism and the school experience for autistic students
- attended the inaugural AIT Conference in Term 4, 2023
- built their own capability around autism and started building capability at their site.
Autism Inclusion Teachers have varying levels of experience in teaching autistic students. The department provides ongoing training, professional development, resources, information and support to AITs.
Staff in preschools with autism qualifications
To increase the number of staff working in our preschools with experience in autism, a qualification in supporting children on the autism spectrum (or equivalent experience) has been added as a preferred criterion when employing preschool staff.
Early childhood intervention services in children’s centres
We may work with other service providers to have more childhood intervention services at our children’s centres. This may include speech pathologists, occupational therapists and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support coordinators, who can help with therapeutic services.
Autism Friendly Charter
South Australia has a goal to become the Autism Friendly State.
We’ll work with our schools and preschools to sign up to the Autism Charter, which will:
- include online learning tailored to the needs of our education sites
- equip our staff with the knowledge, principles and support to be truly autism-friendly.
More specialist staff in schools
We’re employing 100 more specialist staff to support our schools and preschools. This includes speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists and counsellors, who will support children and young people with additional needs, including those with autism.
