A new autism-specific school in Sydney will open its doors in January 2025, offering state-of-the-art facilities and support tailored learning for more than 70 autistic students.
Australian Bureau of Statistics census data shows more than 675,000 people live with autism, and this number has been rising significantly in Australia.
According to a 2023 paper from an Australian National University scholar, estimates of autism prevalence in Australia are some of the highest in the world and have grown faster than the global average.
Despite this increase, experts say much-needed support is lacking.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse, the head of the autism research team at the Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia said development among children with disabilities is “plateauing if not going backwards”.
“It’s beyond time to take a serious look at how we can support schools to support kids and their families to thrive,” Professor Whitehouse told The Guardian.
Research shows the quality of life for those on the autism spectrum can be significantly improved by an early diagnosis and appropriate evidence-informed treatment.
Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) supports people on the spectrum and their families by providing information, education and a variety of services aimed at meeting the specific needs of each individual.
In Term 1 2025, Aspect plans to open its tenth autism-specific school in the Hills Shire, NSW. Aspect Hills Shire School will cater for 72 students on the autism spectrum from Kindergarten to Year 6, helping meet a growing demand for special needs students amid Western Sydney’s population boom.
According to state government data, Western Sydney comprises over a quarter of the NSW population, making it one of the state’s most rapidly expanding regions. Coupled with Aspect's updated estimate that more than 1 in 40 Australians are Autistic, this growth is driving a significant increase in demand for specialised services, including education.
Parental choice is another major factor, says Maryanne Gosling, Aspect’s National Director of Education.
“More parents and carers are actively choosing schools that match their child's specific learning and developmental needs,” Gosling told The Educator.
The new school will feature 12 purpose-built, autism-friendly classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, a covered outdoor activity area with sensory-friendly facilities, state of the art computer facilities for students, and a fully outfitted kitchen to teach students practical life skills alongside a brand new library.
Gosling said Aspect schools specifically cater for Autistic students, with targeted early intervention, provision of highly specialised learning pedagogies, small class sizes, purposeful designs and dedicated resources.
“These are all aimed at supporting each child to achieve their personal goals, whether it's transitioning to a mainstream school or entering the workforce,” Gosling said. “Consequently, many parents opt for this tailored environment to best support their child’s educational journey.”
Gosling said working in an autism-specific education environment requires a special blend of skills and attributes, that align with Aspect's ethos of recognising 'a different brilliant' in every student.
“This means our educators deeply understand the strengths, interests and aspirations of each student in their care, and bring diverse thinking, empathy and a person-centred approach to the classroom,” she said.
“They have a passionate commitment to ensuring the curriculum is accessible to each student, creating personalised learning plans and tailored teaching strategies to achieve this.”
Gosling said educators with an open mind and a commitment to continuous growth thrive in this setting, as they evolve their teaching methods to create inclusive and effective learning environments.
When asked about the school’s approach to attracting the right talent to foster a healthy culture of inclusion and wellbeing, Gosling said Aspect prides itself on creating a welcoming environment where educators can grow and excel.
“We invest in continuous professional learning and specialised training opportunities that are among the best in the field,” she said.
“In fact, Aspect is currently implementing a pioneering new initiative – the Aspect Learning Improvement Collaborative [ALIC] - in conjunction with global education leader, Dr Lyn Sharratt, where her renowned mainstream learning framework is being adapted to our autism-specific education environment.”
Gosling said Aspect also maintains small class sizes to ensure a personalised and high-quality teaching environment, which appeals to dedicated educators.
“Our teaching teams, including teacher aides in every classroom, work together towards a shared goal of student-centred learning, and this collaborative approach fosters a supportive workplace culture and sense of community among all staff members and the families and students we support.”