Department for Education, Children and Young People OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GPO Box 169, HOBART TAS 7001 Australia OfficeoftheSecretary@decyp.tas.gov.au Ph (03) 6165 5757
File no: DOC/23/97748
10 July 2023
Chris Tallentire MLA Committee Chair Education and Health Standing Committee Legislative Assembly Western Australia laehsc@parliament.wa.gov.au
Dear Mr Tallentire,
INQUIRY INTO SUPPORT FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCHOOLS
Thank you for your correspondence and the opportunity to provide input into Western Australia’s inquiry into support for autistic children and young people in schools.
This submission relates to the third part of the terms of reference, regarding autism education strategies from other jurisdictions that support school system to respond to the needs of autistic students.
In Tasmania, the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) is committed to providing high quality inclusive education for students with disability and supporting schools to become increasingly disability ready and responsive to the needs of all students, including autistic students.
In 2020, the department implemented a new Educational Adjustments funding model for students with disability in Tasmanian Government schools, which delivers funding to schools. The new Educational Adjustments approach supports inclusive practice in schools and aligns supports to the educational adjustments teachers make in the classroom to assist students with disability access, participate and engage in quality learning programs.
Autistic students who receive Educational Adjustments are supported through the Educational Adjustments Model and are moderated on an annual basis to ensure their level of support meets the Educational Adjustments being provided. Further information is available at Educational Adjustments.
Our department also employs an Inclusive Practice Team state-wide. Through a coaching model of support, Inclusive Practice Coaches provide evidence-informed recommendations to improve inclusive practice for individual students (including autistic students). The Inclusive Practice Team partners with schools to support continual improvement in inclusive practice. Further information is available at Inclusive Practice Team.
In addition to our Departmental supports and services, the Tasmanian Autism Diagnostic Service (TADS) provides independent, comprehensive autism diagnostic assessments for children and young people up to 18 years across Tasmania. This service is recognised as the major service provider in autism diagnostic assessment across Tasmania and is delivered through DECYP.
The Tasmanian Government has provided an additional $1.4 million over four years to the Tasmanian Autism Diagnostic Service to meet the continued high demand for the service. To date, additional staff have been employed to undertake autism assessment, and a panel of providers have been established to reduce the wait-time for autism assessments. Further information is available at Tasmanian Autism Diagnostic Service.
I hope this information assists with your inquiry.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information.
Yours sincerely
redacted
Jenny Burgess ACTING SECRETARY