Schools

Aspect schools

Aspect schools provide specialised evidence-based programs for children aged 4 to 16 with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who require an autism specific program. Aspect has six schools operating in the Sydney metropolitan area as well as in the NSW Central Coast, Hunter and South Coast. In addition, each school operates classes in mainstream school settings. Aspect classes cover over 70 locations and cater to over 600 students, employing more than 350 teachers and teachers’ aides.

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In recognition of the special needs of students with an ASD, class sizes are small and all classes include a teacher and a teacher's aide.The primary focus of Aspect schools is to equip students with the skills to become as independent as possible and enable them to transition into the wider community. Aspect schools are funded in part by the NSW Department of Education and Training, which has specific criteria for placement.

Aspect Comprehensive Educational Approach

Aspect Comprehensive Educational Approach includes a specialised curriculum for children with an ASD and a focus on skills training underpinned by individual assessment and planning. The innovative approach recognises the important role of environmental supports, structured learning and positive behaviour supports. Key elements of the approach include multi-disciplinary teams (consisting of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and family counsellors/psychologists), family involvement and staff training.

Aspect endorses a collaborative approach to transition to more inclusive educational placements that prepares both the students and the receiving school.

The curriculum is based upon the core competencies of autism, including social, communication, sensory, learning and behavioural needs which are integrated into the NSW Board of Studies curriculum.

The key elements of Aspect’s approach are based on the guidelines for sound comprehensive programs established by the New York State Department of Health in 1999. Similarly, they are also supported by the American National Research Council (NRC, 2001) report that summarised the evidence of the effectiveness of comprehensive programs and recommended the inclusion of a range of key elements for education and intervention.

Aspect is constantly seeking to strengthen its approach by researching other evidence-based approach. For example, Aspect has recently trialled Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children (TEACCH) and Apllied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) approaches within its educational program.

Transitioning students

Aspect has a policy of transitioning students with an ASD into more inclusive settings. These settings include mainstream classes and support classes, or special schools. The decision to transition a student is based on the student’s ability to work in a less specialised setting and is made as part of their Individual Education Plan.

Each Aspect school consists of a variety of classes. There are classes located at our administrative base sites and also a range of satellite classes located on sites at other schools.

Satellite Classes

A satellite class is an Aspect autism-specific support class operated by an Aspect school and located in either a NSW Department of Education & Training (NSW DET) or a Catholic mainstream school. This model for the satellite class system was developed by Aspect and has been very successful.

Generally, satellite classes cater for students with an ASD with low support needs who may benefit from a mainstream education setting. The type of placement for students is directly related to their skill development and support needs.

Satellite classes are an important step in the transition of some students with an ASD who demonstrate the necessary skills. Each school has a suite of infants and primary satellite classes. Some schools also have a secondary satellite class.

Regional groups of satellite classes are located in the Riverina (Wagga Wagga and Albury) which is part of the Aspect South Coast School and on the Far North Coast at Alstonville which is part of the Aspect Vern Barnett School.

Outcomes

Aspect conducts annual research into the transition of students from its schools. Recent findings indicated that 12 months after students have transitioned from an Aspect School, 97% were still in the same setting.

Recent research findings indicated that the average length of stay in a satellite class was 22 months with 98% of students transitioning to regular schools. Of the students who transitioned 89% are currently in similar placements.

Multi-Disciplinary Team

A Multi-Disciplinary Team provides consultative therapy services to the students enrolled in our 6 schools, their families and our teaching staff. The team consists of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and psychologists. Members of the school multi-disciplinary team work collaboratively with families, Aspect staff and other professionals Involved with a particular student to ensure optimal educational, behavioural, and communicative outcomes for all students.

Therapists are involved in a range of direct and indirect services including consultative IEP (Individual Educational Program) and class programming input, staff, parent and community education, home based programming, and resource development as required.

To contact the multi disciplinary team at an Aspect school, contact the school's administration office.

Educational Outreach

To further facilitate the inclusion of students in mainstream educational settings a specialist autism intervention outreach service (Aspect Educational Outreach) provides a range of direct and indirect services to children, adolescents, families, schools, and to the broader community. The service compliments the transition of students from Aspect schools to more inclusive mainstream settings.

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