ADVOCACY & SUPPORT
Advocacy in Schools
At Autism Consultancy Services (ACS), we understand the vital role that schools play in the lives of neurodivergent children and teens. That’s why we work closely with families, educators, and school staff to create environments where students can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
How We Support Neurodivergent Students in Schools
- Student Support Group (SSG) Meetings
We actively participate in SSG meetings, working collaboratively with parents, teachers, and school staff to create tailored strategies that align with the student’s needs. - Recommendations for Accommodations
Our team provides expert recommendations to schools, including practical and achievable accommodations, such as sensory supports, adjusted workloads, and alternative communication methods. - Classroom Observations
We can visit schools to observe the student in their learning environment, helping to identify challenges and opportunities for support that might not be immediately apparent. - Teacher Collaboration and Education
We work directly with teachers, sharing strategies and insights to foster an inclusive and supportive classroom culture. We can also create tailored professional development sessions for educators. - Individualised Education Plans (IEPs)
We assist in the development and review of IEPs, ensuring that goals are realistic, meaningful, and aligned with the student’s strengths and needs.
Helping Parents and Educators Navigate the Disability Inclusion Funding Model (DI)
The Disability Inclusion (DI) framework and funding model can feel overwhelming for families and educators trying to navigate the system. At ACS, we help simplify the process by:
- Explaining how DI funding works and what it covers.
- Help navigating the process of developing a Disability Inclusion Profile (DIP) – Schools will work with families to create a Disability Inclusion Profile. The profile is a written description of the student’s strengths and needs at school. It will help schools give students adjustments and supports to enable them to participate on the same basis as their peers and to reach their full potential.
- Supporting families in advocating for their child’s needs during school meetings.
- Assisting schools in understanding how to access and allocate DIP funding effectively.
- Offering clear, practical advice to ensure funding is used to benefit the student’s development and learning.
Our goal is to empower both families and educators with the knowledge and tools to make the most of the support available through these programs.
Why School Advocacy Matters
For neurodivergent students, the school environment can present unique challenges. Advocacy ensures that:
- Strengths are Recognised: Every child’s unique talents and abilities are celebrated and nurtured.
- Needs are Met: Practical supports are implemented to address sensory, communication, and learning differences.
- Parents Feel Supported: Families have a trusted partner to guide them through complex systems and processes.
- Schools Have Guidance: Educators receive the tools and insights they need to create truly inclusive classrooms.
Our Neuro-Affirming Approach
We believe in working collaboratively with schools and families to create environments where neurodivergent students feel safe, understood, and empowered. All our recommendations and strategies are rooted in a neuro-affirming framework, ensuring that the dignity and autonomy of the student are always respected.
Flexible Advocacy Services
Our advocacy services are available throughout Melbourne’s West and Eastern Suburbs. Whether attending meetings, providing recommendations, or conducting classroom observations, we’re here to support neurodivergent students in reaching their full potential.
If your child needs support at school, we’re here to help. Whether it’s attending an SSG, developing an IEP, navigating DI or DIP funding, or providing strategies for the classroom, our team is ready to assist.
Need Advocacy Support for Your Child?
How Autism Consultancy Services Can Support Schools in Line with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA):
Autism Consultancy Services can play a vital role in helping schools meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and its associated Disability Standards for Education 2005, particularly in supporting neurodivergent students. Here’s how:
1. Supporting Reasonable Adjustments
- Identifying Individual Needs: Work with schools to conduct assessments and develop tailored strategies for students, ensuring they have equitable access to learning.
- Recommending Adjustments: Suggest practical accommodations, such as sensory-friendly spaces, modified lesson plans, alternative communication tools, or assistive technologies.
- Monitoring Effectiveness: Help evaluate the impact of adjustments and provide ongoing advice to refine support strategies.
2. Training and Professional Development
- Neurodivergence Awareness: Deliver workshops and training sessions for teachers and school staff on autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions.
- Strategies for Inclusion: Equip staff with tools for fostering positive behaviour support, implementing visual schedules, managing sensory needs, and creating inclusive classrooms.
- Crisis Management Training: Provide guidance on managing meltdowns, shutdowns, and other challenges in a respectful, trauma-informed way.
3. Promoting Inclusive Practices
- Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) and Student Support Groups (SSGs): Collaborate with schools, families, and students to design and implement IEPs and facilitate effective SSG meetings.
- Transition Support: Assist students during key transitions, such as starting school, moving between grades, or changing schools.
4. Advocacy and Family Collaboration
- Building Partnerships: Act as a liaison between schools and families to ensure student needs are understood and addressed.
- Parent Education: Provide parents with information about their child’s rights under the DDA and support them in advocating for appropriate adjustments.
5. Strengthening Accountability
- Compliance Reviews: Assist schools in evaluating how well they meet their obligations under the DDA, providing recommendations to address gaps.
- Documentation Support: Help schools document adjustments and supports effectively to demonstrate compliance.
6. Fostering Student Empowerment
- Self-Advocacy Skills: Support neurodivergent students in understanding their strengths and needs and developing self-advocacy skills to express these in school.
- Social Skills Development: Provide programs to help students build social and emotional capacity in inclusive group settings.