Select Committee on Autism
Submission 22 - Attachment 2
ABN 27 369 160 573
Inc. No. A0007531T
AFSA AGENDA OF EDUCATION ISSUES 2019-20
The purpose of the Autism Family Support Association (AFSA) is to assist and support individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by providing emotional and practical support for parents, carers and families. AFSA is an incorporated, state wide voluntary parent based support group. Through parent-to-parent support, our aim is to improve the outcomes and quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families and carers.
AFSA calls on the Victorian government to facilitate
#1… Students with ASD be given the necessary supports to access the curriculum on the same basis as other students.
#2… Students with a language deficit should have a communication assessment by a speech therapist with specific knowledge of ASD and the subsequent development of an individual communication plan.
#3… Social skills program offered to all students with ASD.
#4… Qualified and skilled staff to work with students with ASD.
#5… Removal of restrictive practices and the use of functional behaviour assessments, evidence based positive behaviour management plans, strategies and safeguards.
#6… Improvement of transition arrangements within schools, between primary and secondary and between all services at critical age milestones.
#7… Development of more responsive and accessible complaints systems with the establishment of an independent schools commissioner with powers.
#8… Accountability for the expenditure of PSD money.
#9… Removal of the use of suspension and exclusion as a means of responding to behaviour related issues and provision of ‘transition back to school’ support for previously excluded students.
#10… Individual learning plans to be of a satisfactory standard with SMART goals and measurable outcomes.
#11… PSD guidelines including for student support group meetings to be mandated.
#12… Making schools and other educational institutions more inclusive and ASD friendly.
#13… Accountability for the expenditure of ‘in kind’ funding supports provided by the NDIA.
#14… Support for families who have no alternative but to home school students with ASD – due to distance, bullying, school refusal or general failure of local school to cater for students with ASD.