In 2023 we introduced improved support services for autistic students, including:

• appointing an Autism Inclusion Teacher in every public primary school
• increasing staff in preschools with qualifications in autism
• exploring opportunities to offer more early childhood intervention services in children’s centres
• having more specialist staff in schools.

Autism Inclusion Teachers

An Autism Inclusion Teacher (AIT) has been appointed in every public school with primary school students. They help teachers to:

• understand autism and increase knowledge about evidence informed practices for autism
• build relationships and promote autistic student voice and agency
• implement sensory and environmental adjustments at their site
• share evidence informed resources and training.

Progress so far

Since the initiative started in 2023, AITs have:

• participated in the 2-day Positive Partnerships workshop
• attended and engaged in regular network meetings
• received training on anxiety in autism and the school experience for autistic students
• attended the inaugural AIT Conference in term 4, 2023
• built their own capability around autism and started building capability at their site.

Staff in preschools with autism qualifications

To increase the number of staff working in our preschools with experience in autism, a qualification in supporting children on the autism spectrum (or equivalent experience) has been added as a preferred criterion when employing preschool staff.

Early childhood intervention services in children’s centres

We may work with other service providers to have more childhood intervention services at our children’s centres. This may include speech pathologists, occupational therapists and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support coordinators, who can help with therapeutic services.

South Australian Autism Inclusion Charter

The Government of South Australia is dedicated to making life better for people with Autism. We believe in a whole-of-government approach that fosters a knowledgeable and inclusive state where Autistic and autism communities can flourish.

The Charter not only benefits Autistic individuals but all South Australians. By embracing neurodiversity and bringing together diverse minds, skillsets, and ways of working, we make a good place for innovation and progress.

As a signatory to the South Australian Autism Inclusion Charter, we acknowledge that:

• autistic strengths and support needs are unique to each individual
• the most meaningful outcomes are achieved through genuine engagement and collaboration.

For more information see the South Australian Autism Inclusion Charter.

Government goals for Autism Inclusion

The South Australian Government aims to become a world leader in autism inclusion. We are committed to improving the life outcomes of Autistic and autism communities and are courageous in its efforts to achieve this goal.

Together, we can create a more inclusive South Australia for all.

More specialist staff in schools and preschools

We’re employing 100 more specialist staff to support our schools and preschools. This includes speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists and counsellors, who will support children and young people with additional needs, including those with autism.

Autism inclusion in secondary schools trial

Following the initial success of the Autism Inclusion Teacher initiative in public primary schools, we're working to build autism inclusion in standalone public secondary schools.

This initiative will trial 3 models of increasing intensity in 9 secondary school sites that have autistic students transitioning to year 7 at their site in 2025. The trial will be from August 2024 (term 3) to December 2025 (term 4). During this time, year 7 educators and support staff will receive professional learning and support to help build autism inclusion with their school community. This will include:

• model 1 – one-day onsite professional learning with centralised support from a dedicated team within the department
• model 2 – one-day onsite professional learning plus two-day Positive Partnerships workshop with centralised support from a dedicated team within the department
• model 3 – professional learning and support as per model 2 plus embedded site support from a qualified educator or allied health professional with expertise in supporting autistic secondary school students known as an Autism Inclusion Advisor.

Initiative development

The autism inclusion in secondary schools initiative reflects feedback from the autistic and autism communities detailed in the South Australian Autism Strategy. This encouraged the state to identify ways to improve transition pathways between educational settings. We have worked with contacts in the South Australian autistic and autism communities to develop and deliver the trial including working with the autistic led Office for Autism. We'll continue to engage and involve the communities as the initiative progresses.