The learning needs and supports for every person on the autism spectrum is different from his/her peers. No two persons on the spectrum is the same.

Support for Young Children

Children with autism often require intensive instruction and practice in the core skill areas of social interaction, communication, thinking and self-help, and independence. Research suggests that early intervention is very important. Specialised early intervention can give people the skills necessary to lead meaningful and productive lives.

Most interventions are aimed at helping children with autism access learning and independence. While there is no known ‘cure’ for autism, children can be helped, especially if their autism is diagnosed early in life. Various types of early intervention for autism and other developmental conditions exist and may be available to you. SGEnable, an organisation dedicated to enabling persons with disabilities has compiled a list of services. Please click here for more information on how your child with autism can be supported.

Choosing intervention practitioners for your child requires careful consideration and review. Visit our early intervention programme website for more information on how your child with autism can be supported.

Support for Students & Adults

Some students with autism will be able to learn new skills with their peers in mainstream school with specialist support. Others will need to have more specialised learning environments to learn in a more individualised way with the time and opportunity to practise and apply the skills they have learnt in many functional ways.

As a person with autism enters adoloscent and adulthood, there is a continued need for support, education, and guidance. Typically, ongoing services are required to help the person with autism to:

• Develop social safety and problem solve every day experiences
• Negotiate higher education options, meet work productivity demands, and achieve vocational skills through job coaching
• Develop daily routines, public survival skills, and understand and comply to social rules and expectations
• Develop skills in planning, organising, and extending leisure pursuits
• Develop positive relationships with others
• Understand and cope with sexuality issues
• Manage stress and anxiety

Visit Pathlight School website for more information on the academic and life skills programmes available for students with autism. Take a look at Employability & Employment Centre (E2C) webpage for more information on job training, placement and support for adults with autism.