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| Programs |
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WAS provides support and training to schools/agencies and professionals working with students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Our services are:
- Classroom visits to your school and meetings with individual teachers or teaching teams to discuss strategies, issues or concerns. Visits are arranged on request from the school.
- Assistance with behaviour management programs.
- Help with development of learning goals/ ILPs
- Sharing information at whole school staff meetings or curriculum days etc. through formal and informal presentations.
- Attending Student Support Group meetings (SSGs) on request.
- Providing written recommendations.
- Follow up visits.
- Phone consultations.
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School based programs
Western Autistic School provides specific school based programs for students diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
Early primary years - short term intensive placement:
We provide:
- Individual Learning Plans
- Student Support Group meetings (SSGs)
- A comprehensive curriculum
- A teaching approach that is gentle, specialized and interactive
- An emphasis on developing students' communication and social skills
- A behaviour management program for each student
- Preparation for transition to generic educational programs
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Adolescent Program Essendon Keilor College (Niddrie Campus)
- Base room program
- Outreach program to mainstream Secondary Colleges
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Inter Departmental Support Program
Collaboration program between
- Western Autistic School
- Department of Education
- Department of Human Services
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Asperger Support Program
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Parent Support
Social worker providing:
- Advocacy
- Community Liaison
- Parent Support Groups
- Coffee Mornings
- Information Evenings
- Phone Consultation
- Home visits
- Newsletters Asperger Support Program
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School and Transition Support
- Ongoing support to past students of Western Autistic School
- Support to students in transition from Western Autistic School to a generic school setting
- Support to students with ASD who have never attended Western Autistic School
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Program & Curriculum Development
- Evaluation of curriculum content and method of delivery
- New autism specific "foundation skills" curriculum being developed and trialled
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Resource Programs / Outreach Services
- Conference presentations international, national and throughout Victoria
- 7 statewide workshops per year
- Inservice for community agencies and other service providers
- Consultations to mainstream schools (150+ per year)
- On site classroom observations and consultations
- Phone consultation
- Publications
- Online information
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Autism Teaching Institute
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Accredited vocational teacher training
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Graduate Certificate in Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Graduate Diploma in Teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Course in Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Work |
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School Holiday Respite Program
- Autism specific holiday program managed by City of Moonee Valley in conjunction with Western Autistic School
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| What is Autism |
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- Autism affects one in 160 Australians.
- Autism occurs in all ethnic and social groups (Autism Victoria 1999).
- Autism is a developmental disability.
- A person with autism has significant difficulties in three main areas:
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in communication, both understanding and using language.
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in using social skills to interact effectively with others.
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in playing and learning.
People with autism may be sensitive to sound, taste, smell, touch and visual input
Many people develop obsessive routines and repetitive ways of doing things.
It is not known what causes autism and although understanding of autism has greatly improved, there is no known cure. |
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| Enrolment Criteria |
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To be eligible for enrolment at Western Autistic School, a student needs to meet eligibility criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder for the Program for Students with a Disability:
CRITERIA
A. A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder;
AND
B. Significant deficits in adaptive behaviour established by a composite score of two standard deviations or more below the mean on an approved standardised test of adaptive behaviours;
AND
C. Significant deficits in language skills established by a comprehensive speech pathology assessment demonstrating language skills equivalent to a composite score of two standard devations or more below the mean.
Note: A Student Support Group should be established and an Individual Learning Plan developed for any student with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, regardless of whether they meet the above criteria.
EVIDENCE
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Multidisciplinary evidence provided by professionals with experience and knowledge in the assessment and knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder
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The multidisciplinary diagnosis will include a comprehensive report from a child psychiatrist or paediatrician, and concurring reports from a psychologist (including a comprehensive report of a Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale assessment), a speech pathologist (including a comprehensive language/pragmatic language assessment),and where appropriate an occupational therapist.
Note: Professionals are requested to refer to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development guidelines for assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, available from Regional Disabilities Coordinators.
OBTAINABLE FROM:
Parent/guardian/carer held information or specialised teams, e.g.Alfred CYMHS, Royal Children's Hospital Integrated Mental Health Program, Eastern Health CYMHS, Austin CAMHS, Early in Life Mental Health Serviceand regional CAMHS AND CYMHS teams. CAMHS contact details are available on www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/services |
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| Teaching Approach |
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Western Autistic School provides:
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A curriculum that is comprehensive and acknowledges the individuality of each student.
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A teaching approach that is gentle, specialised and interactive.
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An emphasis on developing each student's communication and social skills.
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A behaviour management program tailored to the needs of individual students.
Western Autistic School includes:
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Small classes and teaching teams.
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Promotion of successful learning and self esteem.
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Secure and well equipped playgrounds.
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Regular Speech and Occupational therapy consultation to teaching teams.
- Regular outings to promote development of skills in the community.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development of staff.
- Department of Education transport to and from home within a designated area.
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