Including children with autism in the early years
Improve your skills as an early childhood educator. Understand autistic children better and plan inclusive programs to support their learning and development.
On this page
The Including children with autism in the early years modules help early childhood educators develop a greater understanding of autistic young children and plan inclusive programs that support their learning and development.
Aims of the modules
The modules provide autism, policy and framework guidance plus programming approaches to support responsiveness to the individual needs of autistic children.
Who the course is for
The course is relevant for educators who are currently working with autistic children and those who wishing to develop their knowledge and skills in this area.
The modules also provide downloadable tools that are designed to support planning for quality, inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs.
Course outcomes
Completion of this course contributes towards Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration requirements.
Module content information
Module 1: An introduction to young children with autism
This module is designed to build understanding of autistic young children. It covers:
- what is autism
- 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 with autism
This module focuses on 8 practice principles which are clearly linked with inclusive programming and support for autistic children. They include:
- 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
This module covers:
- a framework of adapting the program to support the meaningful participation and ongoing learning and development of autistic children
- programming with an aim to foster independence for autistic children
- a team approach to inclusion
- how to support ongoing learning by using the child’s strengths and interests as a starting point.
Early childhood education and care
Updated 27 March 2026
About the VIC Government
- The Premier and ministers
- Find a Vic Gov department, agency or service
- Strategies and policies
- Inquiries and royal commissions
Grants and programs
Jobs and careers
Arts, culture and heritage
Business and the workplace
- Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework
- Portable Long Service Authority
- Victoria’s racing industry
- Workforce Inspectorate Victoria
- Liquor licensing, sale and supply
Communities
- Children
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Finding records
- Gender equality & women’s leadership
- LGBTIQA+ equality
- Multicultural communities
- Seniors Online
- Veterans support and commemoration
- Volunteering in Victoria
- Youth Central
Education and training
- Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority
- Early childhood education – information for professionals
- Kinder: Best Start, Best Life
- Education – information for parents
- Schools.Vic - information for schools
- Education grants, programs, awards and events
- PROTECT
- TAFE, training and universities sector
- TAFE Victoria
- Victorian Skills Authority
- Apprenticeships Victoria
- Learn Local
Environment, water and energy
Finance and economy
Health and social support
- Family violence reform
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- NDIS and disability services and support in Victoria
- Patient Review Panel
- Transforming Trauma Victoria
Housing and property
Law and justice
- Adoption
- Births, deaths and marriages
- Honorary justices
- Machete ban
- Safeguarding Victorians against terrorism
- Stolen Generations Reparations Package
- Victims of Crime
- Victorian Racing Tribunal
Safety and emergencies
- Emergency Recovery Victoria
- Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation
- Emergency Recovery Resource Portal
- How well do you know fire
- Fire Services Reform
- Water safety
- Marine Search and Rescue
Science and technology
- Data sharing and open data
- Data.vic - discover and access Vic Gov open data
- Developer.Vic - portal for API developers
- Go.vic URL shortener
- Vic Gov IT project dashboard
- Victoria’s free public wi-fi network
- Cyber security in the Victorian Government
Sport and recreation
Traffic and transport
- Cameras Save Lives
- Transport Fines
- Getting Around
- Transport Planning
- Transport Future
- Climate Change and transport
- Future Directions For Transport
- Transport projects
- Ports and Freight
Working in the Victorian Government
- Single Digital Presence home
- Accommodation and Library Services
- Executive employment in the Victorian public sector
- Budget, procurement and funding
- Careers in the Victorian Government
- Council and Regulator Toolkit
- Guidelines for working in government
- Join a government network
- Standards and guidelines
- VicFleet CarPool
- Victorian Government style guide