Dear Parents and Carers
I would like to introduce myself as the Autism Inclusion Teacher (AIT) for Mitcham Primary School. I currently teach Year 2 and have taken on this exciting new role for 2023.
Autism Inclusion Teachers are a new, nation-leading, initiative which aims to build teacher understanding and knowledge around supporting children and young people with autism. Each public primary school in South Australia has appointed an Autism Inclusion Teacher who will guide and support their staff in developing best practice whilst teaching and engaging with students who are on the autism spectrum. I have a wealth of experience of teaching students diagnosed with autism. I also have a deep interest in supporting our teachers and school support officers to develop their skills and abilities with an aim in improving the learning outcomes for our students on the autism spectrum.
The intended role of an Autism Inclusion Teacher, is to build the skills, knowledge and understanding of autism amongst our teachers and school services officers (SSOs) by engaging them in formal learning sessions. The expected outcomes are that teachers and SSOs will then apply this new knowledge when teaching and supporting children with autism in their own classrooms. The AIT role does not include working directly with students with autism, nor are they involved in student or parent conferences.
I am currently working with other AITs, from a variety of school sites across Adelaide, to develop and build upon my current knowledge of working with students with autism. Recently, I participated in a two-day where Professor Barry Carpenter engaged us in developing our understanding of wellbeing and neurodiversity. This intensive three day conference highlighted the importance of using a strength-based approach whilst working with students with autism. This included research linked to incorporating a student on the autism spectrum’s particular interest into daily teaching routines as a means to motivate and further engage in their learning. For more information, please visit the Department for Education’s website to find out more about improving support for children and students with autism.
Kind Regards,
Anne Thomas