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Support at school for autistic students

If they need it, your child can get extra support at school to help their learning and development.

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If they need it, your child can get extra support at school to help their learning and development.

The law says schools should make reasonable adjustments so students with disability have the same opportunities as their peers.

How schools support children with autism

Best practice is a ‘whole school approach’ for autism. This means the school community should work together to support autistic children.

To achieve this, schools make sure:

The Victorian Autism Education Strategy aims to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for autistic students in Victorian government schools.

Read more about how schools and parents can support autistic students. Support is also available if your child has learning difficulties.

Learning

No 2 children are the same. If needed, teachers can make reasonable adjustments to support your child’s participation. For example, the teacher could:

Student support groups

A student support group can help make sure your child gets the right support at school. It gives you the opportunity to work with your child’s teachers to make decisions about their education.

Student support services

Your child’s school has access to student support services who can work with your child. For example, psychologists and social workers.

Autism specialist schools

All children have the right to enrol in their designated neighbourhood government school.

Students with disability and high needs who meet eligibility criteria may also be able to seek enrolment at a specialist school.

Some specialist schools are for children with autism:

Support for schools

Support materials for teachers

Teachers have access to autism support materials, which include:

Professional development for teachers

Schools provide regular professional development opportunities for teachers and other school staff. This includes the Supporting Students with Autism course.

We offer subsidies for the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Teaching Autistic Students. This is run by the Autism Teaching Institute.

Schools provide regular professional development opportunities for teachers and other school staff. Read more about the range of opportunities.

Accessible buildings

Your child’s school can get support to make their buildings more accessible for children with additional needs. This includes the Accessible Buildings Program.

Disability Inclusion

Disability Inclusion is part of the Government’s approach to inclusive education. It provides extra support for students with disability in Victorian Government schools.

If your child is part of the Program for Students with Disability (PSD), they will continue to get support from their school while we are introducing Disability Inclusion and it replaces the PSD. Your child’s school will help you work through the new Disability Inclusion Profile.

Read more about disability support at school.

Education & trainingParents & carers

Updated 26 March 2026

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