Going to School

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Our first school opened in Belrose in 1966. We now operate eight schools in NSW. In 2016, our 9th school and the first school in South Australia was established.

Our goal is to provide the best opportunities across Aspect schools for students on the spectrum, through evidence-informed practice that is person-centred and family-focused , with the ultimate aim of preparing for transition to a mainstream school environment.

The Aspect Comprehensive Approach draws on elements from our approach in Aspect Education with Autism Initiatives (UK)'s Five point Star at its centre which supports us to understand students on the spectrum from their perspective.

Our learning environments are tailored to the needs of our students on the autism spectrum. Classes are small with a high teacher to student ratio and a teacher’s aide appointed to each class. Our goal is to help students develop the skills to become as independent as possible and to enable them to succeed in the wider community.

The Aspect Comprehensive Approach recognises the importance of positive behaviour support through environmental accommodations, structured supports, transition planning, transdisciplinary expertise, family involvement and professional learning for staff.

Curriculum-based programs in Aspect schools include considerable detail of any accommodations and adjustments that need to be made in order for students to actively participate in teaching and learning experiences. The accommodations and adjustments are individualised to meet not only the cognitive ability of students, but also to support their autism areas of difference.

Through the years, our schools have been actively involved in research projects with the aim of including positive strategies into our education program.

Our approach is based on the best available research

Programs and supports adopted in the Aspect Comprehensive Approach are based on the best available research evidence. Aspect Schools work closely with Aspect’s own research centre, the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP), to identify these programs and supports. In partnership with our school staff, our students and their parents and carers, ARCAP also conducts research studies in our schools, to help us develop new and innovative approaches to autism education that will optimise the learning outcomes and quality of schooling for our students.

Our schools

We have nine independent schools across Australia, and 111 satellite classes (classes run by Aspect schools, held in mainstream schools). We educate around 1160 children on the autism spectrum in our schools every year, aged from three years and nine months.

We tailor our learning environments to the needs of students on the spectrum. Class sizes are small with a high teacher to student ratio. All classes include a teacher and a teacher's aide. Our goal is to help students develop the skills to become as independent as possible and to enable them to succeed in the wider community.