FAQs about Positive Partnerships
Other FAQs
How is it being delivered?
About the Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium
Following an open tender process, the Australian Autism Education and Training Consortium (the AAETC) was selected to deliver Positive Partnerships. The Consortium comprises: Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect, the lead agency); Autism SA; the Department of Education and Training, Western Australia; and the University of Canberra.
About the delivery model
The delivery model is multi-layered to provide a national program that is still tailored to local needs and contexts.
- A National Education & Training Team will develop national sets of materials for both components. These materials will complement initiatives and services already available in each state and territory that aim to support schools and families.
- Regional Education & Training Teams will deliver the professional development in locations across Australia, in metropolitan, regional and rural areas.
- At the local level, all participants will have access to local support and mentoring.
- ‘Virtual’ networking and support will also be available with online learning and resources to complement the face-to-face professional development and workshops/information sessions. Online versions of materials will be available to those who can’t make the face-to-face professional development or workshops/information sessions.
When and where will it be delivered?
The professional development for teachers/school staff and workshops/information sessions for parents/carers will start from October 2008 and will be spread across Australian metropolitan, regional and rural locations.
Locations are being selected by the AAETC team in consultation with state and territory education authorities, parent representatives and autism groups. It is anticipated that information on dates and locations will be available at www.autismtraining.com.au from October 2008.
What does the professional development involve?
The professional development for teachers and school staff includes a five day equivalent professional development program and a residential component of at least two days.
The professional development will cover a range of topics that will provide:
- practical support to teachers and other school staff from the full range of education settings for working with students with ASD;
- current evidence-based information on ASD and its effects on learning outcomes; and
- information on developing effective partnerships with parents and carers, and support personnel; and
- access to a professional network following the face-to-face professional development and be supported by additional online learning and support services.
For more information on the professional development, visit: http://www.autismtraining.com.au/ 
What do the workshops/information sessions involve?
The workshops and information sessions will be held over two consecutive days and will offer:
- the latest information on ASD and how this directly impacts student’s learning at school;
- an understanding of the processes and strategies for effective parent, school and teacher partnerships;
- specific strategies on how to advocate to support ongoing learning development;
- information on local school processes to support learning at all stages of the educational pathway; and
- opportunities for networking with other parents, carers and local support personnel.
For more information on the workshops/information sessions, visit: http://www.autismtraining.com.au/
Who can participate?
It is hoped that by the end of 2012 that around 1,800 teachers, school leaders and school staff, and around 5,800 parents and carers of school aged children with ASD will have participated in the professional development, workshops and information sessions.
More still will have access to online learning resources, support and networking resourses over this time – so for those who can’t make the face-to-face sessions, there are opportunities to network and share experiences and knowledge with other teachers/school staff, parents/carers.
Selection of teachers/school staff
The AAETC is consulting with state and territory education authorities across all school sectors and settings to determine appropriate selection processes, and will involve the selection of two participants from each participating school so that a teacher, and school leader or other staff member, can participate together and support each others learning.
Registration of parents/carers
Parents and carers of school aged children with ASD can participate in the workshops and information sessions. ‘School aged’ refers to children in a primary or secondary Australian school, in all school sectors and across all educational settings.
What if I can’t attend in person?
Online learning resources, support and networking will be available to people who can’t make the professional development or workshops/information sessions.
The online resources will be available once rollout of the face-to-face professional development and workshops/information sessions has commenced.
If you would like an e-alert when these resources become available please email autism@deewr.gov.au with your request. The online learning will be accessed at the AAETC website: http://www.autismtraining.com.au/
How can I get information on the Helping Children with Autism package?
Helping Children with Autism is a joint initiative of the Australian Government departments of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (lead agency); Health and Ageing; and Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Follow the links below for further information on initiatives that support:
Children aged 0 - 6
Children under 13 years
For more information on the overall package, visit http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/ , email asd@fahcsia.gov.au or call the general enquiry line on 1800 289 177 and TTY 1800 260 402.
Helping Children with Autism Fact Sheet 
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Are there other initiatives for students with disability?
The Helping children with autism initiatives complement the Australian Government’s other measures to support students with disability through funding to States and Territories though the General Recurrent Grants Program and the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Program.
In addition, six autism-specific Early Learning and Care Centres are being established through a joint initiative of the departments of Education, Employment and Workplace relations and Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.