Page 3293 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 17 September 2013
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children with autism and the importance of early intervention in preparing them for lifelong learning and for life in their schools and communities and the wider society. We also recognise the needs of families and that some may prefer larger settings with more children whilst others prefer smaller groups according to their child’s needs. In response to this, the Education and Training Directorate provides a range of programs prior to school entry to support children’s learning and to prepare them for life in their schools and their community.
All children attending early intervention have individualised programs developed in consultation with families. All early intervention programs are staffed by experienced early childhood special education teachers and learning support assistants. Placement in these programs is facilitated by early intervention school psychologists, and parents are involved in all placement decisions.
The early intervention program includes communication and social awareness playgroups for children two and three years of age for 2½ hours a week. This provides a structured playgroup for up to six children with autism or severe communication and social awareness difficulties. Parents and carers attend these sessions with their children. The focus of the program is on developing play, communication and social skills.
The autism intervention units are for children between three years and school entry, and attendance is for nine hours a week. These units provide an autism-specific program and cater for four students in each unit. They are based on local preschools and managed and supported by the primary specialist schools.
Early childhood centres are for children between three years and school entry for between eight and 15 hours a week. These are based on local preschools and managed and supported by the primary specialist schools. They provide an early intervention program for children with moderate development delay or autism. A maximum of eight attend these programs.
Early childhood units are for children between three years and school entry. They provide for children who have severe development delay or autism. They are located at the primary specialist schools Cranleigh and Malkara.
Early intervention units are for children between three years and school entry for 5½ hours a week. They provide for children who have had or are at risk of having delays in development, autism or disability, are at risk from social or environmental factors, or have severe communication and social difficulties and/or multiple disabilities. There are a maximum of 12 children in these programs. They are managed and supported by the local primary school.
The support at preschool program is for children attending their local preschool. Preschools are able to access additional support for children with autism attending their programs. This support is usually additional learning support assistance time to ensure the child with autism is able to access and participate in the preschool program.
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