Early childhood education training - support children with additional needs
Explore learning modules designed to help you enhance your practice. These include Early ABLES, autism, and disability and early childhood best practice in inclusion courses.
On this page
Learning modules include Early ABLES, autism, disability and early childhood best practice in inclusion online courses.
Autism
Including children on the autism spectrum in the early years
The including children on the autism spectrum in the early years learning modules will help you develop a greater understanding of young children on the autism spectrum in their setting and to plan inclusive programs that support their learning and development.
Aims of the modules
The modules bring together introductory information about Autism Spectrum Disorder, policy and framework guidance plus programming approaches to support responsiveness to the individual needs of children on the autism spectrum.
Who the course is for
The course is relevant for both educators who are currently working with children on the autism spectrum and those who wishing to develop their knowledge and skills in this area.
The modules also provide access to a range of downloadable tools that are designed to support planning for quality, inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs.
Course outcomes
Completion of this course will contribute towards Victorian Teaching Institute (VIT) registration requirements.
Module content information
Module 1 - An introduction to young children on the autism spectrum
This module is designed to build understanding of young children on the autism spectrum. It covers:
- what is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- how educators learn from observing the child
- the importance of working in partnership with families
- collaborating with early childhood professionals and support services.
Module 2 - Practice to support planning for the learning and development of a child on the autism spectrum
This module looks at the ways in which legislation and frameworks support us to plan and provide a program that supports the inclusion of children on the autism spectrum in learning and development opportunities offered in early childhood education and care environments.
This module has a focus on the 8 practice principles, which are clearly linked with inclusive programing and support for children on the autism spectrum:
- family-centred practice
- partnerships with professionals
- high expectations for every child
- equity and diversity
- respectful relationships and responsive engagement
- integrated teaching and learning approaches
- assessment for learning and development
- reflective practice.
Module 3 - Developing a responsive program
- framework of adapting the program to support the meaningful participation and ongoing learning and development of children on the autism spectrum
- programming with an aim to foster independence for children on the autism spectrum
- a team approach to inclusion
- how to support ongoing learning by using the child’s strengths and interests as a starting point.
Early childhood intervention training
Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA), offers training for ECI practitioners, allied health and early childhood professionals to provide high quality supports to children with disability and/or developmental delay.
Early childhood intervention training
Early ABLES and professional learning
Early ABLES is an online tool for early childhood teachers and educators. It uses child observation and strengths to create individualised learning for children aged 2-5 with additional needs including disability or developmental delays.
Early ABLES
Learn more about Early ABLES, an online tool supporting children with additional needs.
Access to the online professional learning
Free online professional learning is available for early childhood educators using Early ABLES in their early childhood service.
It contributes up to five hours to the Victorian Institute of Teaching’s annual professional learning requirement of 20 hours. The five hours includes time to:
- complete the online professional learning
- reflect on the learning
- plan for implementation into practice.
Access the ABLES professional learning using enrolment key: Early_ABLES33
The following video provides step by step instructions to support access to the online learning:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/295315682?autoplay=0
Who can use Early ABLES?
Early ABLES is designed for use by early childhood educators with children aged two to five years with disabilities and/or developmental delay.
Early ABLES is a suite of eight assessments which will support educators to:
- observe and assess a child’s progress in learning
- develop appropriate learning goals in collaboration with parents/carers and other professionals
- develop an individualised learning plan with evidence-informed teaching and learning strategies
- monitor progress along a likely progression of learning
- support the development of an individual child’s learning program using the Early Years Planning Cycle
- improve transition from early childhood to school through information sharing.
For more information visit Early ABLES
Early childhood education and care
Updated 27 March 2026
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