The Australian Government’s Helping Children with Autism package recognises the importance of diagnosis and early intervention treatments and services for children with autism spectrum disorder, along with the need for positive partnerships between their families and schools.
The package is being delivered by the departments of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (lead agency); Health and Ageing; and Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Under the Helping Children with Autism package, DEEWR is responsible for delivering the Positive Partnerships initiative, which aims to build partnerships between schools and families to improve the educational outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder. Over 2008-12 Positive Partnerships is delivering:
- Professional development for teachers, school leaders and other school staff to build their understanding, skills and expertise in working with children with autism spectrum disorder.
- Workshops and information sessions for parents and carers to assist them to work in partnership with their child’s teachers, school leaders and other staff.
DEEWR has issued an open tender seeking a National Provider of Positive Partnerships over 2012-15. Tenders close on 11 October 2011. Tender documentation can be accessed at www.tenders.gov.au (reference number RFT PRN 27028).
Further information
The Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium (AAETC) is delivering Positive Partnerships workshops across Australia on behalf of DEEWR. More information, including resources for teachers and parents, is available on the Positive Partnerships website.
Positive Partnerships 2008 – 2012 Final Report
A final report for the first phase of Positive Partnerships 2008-2012 has been received by the Department. For details please see below:
Evaluation
In 2010 DEEWR commissioned The Allen Consulting Group to evaluate the Positive Partnerships initiatives. The final report on this evaluation is available below:
FAQs about Helping Children with Autism and Positive Partnerships
Who is delivering Positive Partnerships?
Following an open tender process, the Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium (the AAETC) was selected to deliver Positive Partnerships. The Consortium comprises: Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect, the lead agency); Autism SA; the Department of Education and Training, Western Australia; and the University of Canberra.
When and where will it be delivered?
Delivery of professional development for teachers/school staff and workshops/information sessions for parents/carers commenced in November 2008. Workshops have been conducted in Australian metropolitan, regional and rural locations in all states and territories.
Locations are selected by the AAETC team in consultation with state and territory education authorities, parent representatives and autism groups. For information on dates and locations, visit the Positive Partnerships website.
What does the professional development for teachers/school staff involve?
The professional development for teachers and school staff includes a five day equivalent program with a residential component of at least two days.
The professional development covers a range of topics and provides:
- practical support to teachers and other school staff from the full range of education settings who work with students with an autism spectrum disorder;
- current evidence-based information on autism spectrum disorder and its effects on learning outcomes;
- information on the Disability Standards for Education 2005 and how educators can make appropriate accommodations and adjustments for students with autism;
- information on developing effective partnerships with parents and carers and support personnel; and
- access to a professional network following the face-to-face professional development and additional online learning and support services.
In 2010-11, in response to requests from state and territory education authorities there are several flexible delivery options for the professional development including:
- five-day equivalent professional development
- a shorter two-day equivalent professional development session focusing on practical strategies for teachers
- Facilitator Training for education authorities in states and territories to enable them to deliver Positive Partnerships in their jurisdictions.
For more information on the professional development, visit the Positive Partnerships website.
What do the workshops/information sessions for parents/carers involve?
The workshops and information sessions are held over two consecutive days and offer:
- the latest information on autism spectrum disorder and its impact a student’s learning at school;
- an understanding of the processes and strategies for effective parent, school and teacher partnerships;
- specific strategies on how to advocate to support ongoing learning development;
- information on local school processes to support learning at all stages of the educational pathway; and
- opportunities for networking with other parents, carers and local support personnel.
For more information on the workshops/information sessions, visit the Positive Partnerships website.
Who can participate?
It is expected that by the end of 2012 that around 2,200 teachers, school leaders and school staff, and around 5,800 parents and carers of school aged children with an autism spectrum disorder, will have participated in Positive Partnerships.
More still will have access to online learning resources, support and networking resources over this time – so for those who can’t make the face-to-face sessions, there are opportunities to network and share experiences and knowledge with other teachers, school staff, parents and carers.
Selection of teachers/school staff
The AAETC is consulting with state and territory education authorities across all school sectors and settings to determine appropriate selection processes, and will involve the selection of two participants from each participating school so that a teacher, and school leader or other staff member, can participate together and support each others learning.
Registration of parents/carers
Parents and carers of school aged children with an autism spectrum disorder can participate in the workshops and information sessions. ‘School aged’ refers to children in a primary or secondary Australian school, in all school sectors and across all educational settings.
For information on dates, locations and to register your interest to attend a workshop and information session, visit the Positive Partnerships website.
What if I can’t attend in person?
Online learning resources, support and networking will be available at the Positive Partnerships website for people who are unable to attend the professional development or workshops/information sessions.
How will Positive Partnerships be implemented after 2012?
The AAETC has been contracted to deliver Positive Partnerships until February 2012. Positive Partnerships is an ongoing program and will continue after 2012. The Australian Government is currently considering how Positive Partnerships will be implemented after 2012, taking into account the evaluation of the program.
How can I find out more about the Helping Children with Autism package?
Helping Children with Autism is a cross-portfolio initiative of the Australian Government delivered by the departments of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (lead agency); Health and Ageing; and Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
For more information on the overall package, visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) website, email asd@fahcsia.gov.au or call the general enquiry line on 1800 289 177 and TTY 1800 260 402.