Students with autism spectrum disorder will benefit from the expansion of Western Australia's successful Specialist Learning Program (SLP) to eight additional locations, starting with the rollout to Hampton Park Primary School and Hampton Senior High School in Term 2 next year.
The program provides specialist and intensive support to students with autism - without intellectual impairment - who have the capacity to learn at or near their academic year level standard with support, but may have specific social and emotional development needs that are related to their autism.
Supports include:
- specially trained teachers and individualised planning targeting academic achievement;
- organisational skills;
- social skills;
- positive peer relationships; and
- self-regulation.
Other schools set to offer the program include:
- Wattleup East Primary School;
- Hammond Park Secondary College;
- Westfield Park Primary School;
- Kelmscott Senior High School;
- Dayton Primary School; and
- Kiara College.
The SLP is already in place in 16 WA schools, with this latest expansion set to grow the total number of schools offering it to 24.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"We want every student to come to school to learn and have positive experiences so they can achieve their best.
"This Specialist Learning Program ensures that eligible students with autism spectrum disorder receive the intensive support they require for academic, social, and personal development.
"This program has already achieved excellent results for WA students with additional learning needs by providing the necessary resources to give them the best possible educational experience.
"Expanding the program to another eight schools will ensure more students with autism spectrum disorder can benefit from this tailored support, and continue their academic, social, and personal development from primary through to secondary school.
"Students have a range of diverse needs, and this program is part of a wider comprehensive approach to disability education in Western Australia."
As stated by Morley MLA Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"It's important that schools cater for the individual needs of students, and it's fantastic that the Specialist Learning Program will be available to students in our local area across primary and secondary from next year.
"Hampton Park Primary School and Hampton Senior High School are already great local schools, and the introduction of this successful program - which is being rolled out by the McGowan Labor Government - will mean eligible students with autism spectrum disorder and their families have access to additional resources to help them succeed."
As stated by Bassendean MLA Dave Kelly:
"This is a fantastic program that has already shown that it can improve educational outcomes, and a welcome investment in young people in our community, and their education outcomes.
"Its expansion to Hampton Senior High School and Kiara College will enable eligible students who attend primary school locally to transition to secondary school with continued support.
"I encourage parents who wish to apply for their child to enrol in a Specialist Learning Program to contact the school directly."
Timeline for expansion of Specialist Learning Programs
| Mid 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Hampton Park PS Hampton SHS |
Wattleup East PS Hammond Park SC Westfield Park PS Kelmscott SHS |
Dayton PS Kiara College |
