More help for students with learning difficulties

Sunday, 24 July 2016
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• $45 million to increase support for challenged students
• 16 programs for students with autism spectrum disorder
• Upgrades to 22 education support schools and centres
• Expert team to assess disability funding 

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have very complex support needs can enrol in schools with new specialist learning programs starting from 2017.

Education Minister Peter Collier said 16 schools would be selected to run the $32 million specialist ASD programs by 2020.

"While schools do amazing work, there are some children with ASD who, because of their complex needs and challenging behaviours, require more help to achieve their best," Mr Collier said.

"Students will be able to enrol in the schools running these programs, no matter where they live, and will be taught in small groups by specialist teachers for some of the time and in mainstream classes with additional support for the rest of the time."

The Minister also announced other initiatives to further support students.

"We are investing $8 million to improve facilities at 22 education support schools and centres for students with disability," he said.

Schools will receive an extra $5 million to better support students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and speech disorders.

"A new dedicated team of expert psychologists will also be set up to undertake the complex assessment of students with disability, ensuring funding and services for these students are provided more quickly to schools," Mr Collier said.

Fact File

• More than 4,000 students with ASD are enrolled in local public schools
• The new ASD programs will focus on students' academic engagement, organisation skills, social thinking, peer relationships and self-regulation
• Works to be completed this year in education support schools and centres include playgrounds, covered walkways and toilet upgrades
• For more information, visit http://www.education.wa.edu.au