Where to Start
Looking for the most appropriate Primary or Secondary School for your Neurodiverse child can be really challenging for parents, guardians or carers.
Your Early Childhood Centre, education department, online searchers or community Facebook groups are places you can start your search in your local area. Of course, word of mouth recommendations from parents at the schools you're considering is also recommended. (Extend this search for outside your local area).
Research Projects and Studies on Autism and Education
Amaze Australia undertook some (first of its kind) research projects and studies with regards to Community Attitudes and Behaviours Towards Autism to identify community attitudes and behaviours relating to autism. Areas that were investigated were 'What do Australians know about Autism and Education?' and 'Experiences of Autistic People and their Families Survey'.
One of the key outcomes of this research is to better understand the attitudes and behaviours of the community and establish a baseline from which we are able to track changes over time to measure progress against Amaze’s strategic outcomes.
In addition to this, Do One Thing for Autism, developed specific targeting guides for families and educators about supporting Autistic students at school based on adjustments reported vs adjustment suggestions from real Autistics and their lived experiences.
Literally Ausome Suggestions and Checklist when Choosing the Right School for your Child/ren
Once you’ve made a list of schools you’re interested in, school open days, tours and private visits will give you a feel for schools. It can help to take a friend or support person with you, so you can both gather information and discuss it afterwards.
You’ll get some sense of whether the school might be right for your child from the:
- welcome you and your child get
- the principal’s/vice principal's approach to supporting children with a disability and other additional needs
- the principal’s/vice principal's responses to your questions
school’s approach to education, diversity and inclusion - meeting the well-being team and listening to their support approaches
- and, experiences of other families.
It’s a good idea to have a look at the school's policy documents (which are usually on their school websites and easily accessible), or request them when meeting with them and pay particular attention to their emergency procedures, management of medical conditions, bullying, attendance and student engagement.
Check whether policies cover the needs of children with additional needs and ensure children’s inclusion in all aspects of school life.
If possible, try to look into some classrooms and be around the playground at lunch or break time. This will give you an idea of how children behave towards each other and how teachers guide children’s behaviour and interactions.
Your Literally Ausome
Friendship Guide
A Guide to Understanding and Supporting
your Autistic Friend.