Are you in Search of Autism Schools in Australia? Discover 11 Leading Autism Schools in Australia paving the way to brighter futures, and shaping exceptional lives in this article below.
Australia is home to several top-notch autism schools that provide specialized education and support for children on the autism spectrum.
These schools are dedicated to helping students with autism reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.
In this article, we will explore 11 of the top autism schools in Australia, highlighting their unique approaches and the valuable services they offer to students and their families.
List of 11 Top Autism Schools in Australia
- Autism Queensland School
- Autism Spectrum Australia
- The Joseph Varga School
- The Sycamore School
- Josiah College
- Southern Autistic School
- Northern School For Autism
- Jacana School for Autism
- Western Autistic School – Niddrie Campus
- Woodbury Autism Education and Research
- Errington Special Education Centre
Autism Queensland School
In their commitment to providing specialized education and support, Autism Queensland School caters to autistic students from Prep to Year 12 through three Education and Therapy Centres located in Brisbane and Cairns.
With over 55 years of experience, the school offers small-group learning, personalized programs, interdisciplinary team support, and strong collaboration with families and other educational settings.
This independent, accredited school prioritizes a tailored approach to education and focuses on optimizing the learning environment and catering to individual preferences.
Services:
Autism Queensland provides a comprehensive range of education, therapy, and support services to assist autistic people of all ages, their families, and the professionals working with them.
- Allied Health & Diagnostic Assessments
- AQ School (Brisbane & Cairns)
- Early Action Early Childhood Kindi Groups
- Individual Therapy
- Employment Services
- Specialist Behaviour Supports
- Therapy Groups
- Workshops and Webinars
- Telepractice
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: https://autismqld.com.au/services/school-aged/autism-queensland-school/
- Phone: 07 3631 6300
- Email: css@autismqld.com.au
- Address: AQ Brighton, 136 North Rd, Brighton QLD 4017
Autism Spectrum Australia
Aspect Spectrum is Australia’s largest service provider for individuals on the autism spectrum, boasting an extensive range of offerings.
Their specialized schools program, among the largest globally, is complemented by various services, including diagnostic assessments, behavioral support, parent and family assistance, and adult programs.
Aspect is committed to disseminating evidence-informed autism practices and applied research throughout the nation.
Aspect provides a comprehensive suite of services and interventions to cater to the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
To continuously enhance their support, they run the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP), dedicated to researching and applying the latest knowledge and evidence in their services.
With over five decades of experience in autism-specific education, Aspect’s schools provide individualized and dynamic learning experiences in a caring and nurturing environment.
They operate nine independent autism-specific schools across Australia, along with 113 satellite classes within mainstream primary and high school settings, serving approximately 1185 children on the autism spectrum each year, ranging in age from 4 to 17 years.
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/
- Phone: 1800277328
The Joseph Varga School
The Joseph Varga School (JVS) stands as a registered special education institution, specializing in educating children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
JVS prides itself on providing a warm, accepting, safe, and nurturing environment akin to a family setting. The school has notably excelled in supporting children who previously struggled in mainstream educational settings.
At JVS, the commitment lies in truly understanding each child as an individual and guiding them toward becoming self-aware, self-disciplined members of society.
Their educational and emotional development is central to their approach, emphasizing tailored programs that cater to each child’s unique needs.
JVS boasts dedicated teachers, small class sizes, individualized holistic programs, continuous assessment and reporting, the presence of a clinical psychologist, and a positive focus on personal development.
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: https://josephvargaschool.nsw.edu.au
- Phone: 61+ 2 9398 5110
- Address: Joseph Varga, 128 Alison Road, Randwick, NSW, 2031. Australia.
The Sycamore School
The Sycamore School takes a dedicated approach to supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, aiming not only to assist those affected by autism but also to foster acceptance and diversity in mainstream schools and workplaces.
With a high rate of school-aged students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Queensland, the school recognizes the need for a supportive community.
Their vision is centered on improving life outcomes for people with autism. The school provides a secure and inclusive educational environment with a focus on academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development.
Employing a strengths-based approach, innovative teaching methods, evidence-informed strategies, and adherence to the national curriculum, the school cultivates a positive learning atmosphere.
Contact Info:
- Visit the website: https://www.thesycamoreschool.qld.edu.au
- Phone: (07) 3117 0966
- Email: admin@sycamore.qld.edu.au
- Address: F/29 Windermere Road, Alexandra Hills, Queensland, 4161
Josiah College
Josiah College, a multi-denominational Christian school, is dedicated to nurturing, inspiring, and empowering students to excel through the Josiah Compass.
The school, spanning from Prep to Year 12, is purpose-built to cater to students on the autism spectrum, fostering an environment where they can thrive within a supportive and inclusive community.
The school’s approach includes personalized learning plans, tailored facilities, and a strong emphasis on social-emotional development, all designed to assist students in realizing their maximum potential.
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: https://www.josiah.qld.edu.au/
- Phone: 0755614000
- Email: info@josiah.qld.edu.au
- Address: 1 Emerald Lakes Drive, Carrara, Queensland, Australia, 4211
Southern Autistic School
Southern Autistic School (SAS) is a specialized institution committed to educating children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and significant language deficits.
This school focuses on delivering evidence-based educational programs tailored to the unique learning requirements of children with ASD.
Situated in East Bentleigh within the South Eastern Region, SAS accommodates around 290 students aged 3 to 18 years. The school maintains small class sizes ranging from six to ten students, each with an individualized learning plan aligned with the Victorian Curriculum.
The primary goal centers on fostering communication, social interaction, and independence skills among the students.
The teaching staff is supported by teaching assistants, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, a clinical psychologist, and a seasoned social worker, all contributing to the comprehensive educational team.
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: https://www.southernautistic.vic.edu.au/
- Phone: (03) 9563 8139
- Email: southern.autistic.sch@education.vic.gov.au
- Address: Southern Autistic School, 12 Margaretta Street, Bentleigh East Vic 3165
Northern School For Autism
The Northern School of Autism (NSA) is dedicated to becoming a hub of excellence in autism education. Its mission is to empower students to realize their personal and educational potential, ultimately becoming valued contributors to their families and communities.
Typically, class groups consist of eight to ten students of similar chronological age, organized based on developmental and educational needs.
NSA employs a collaborative approach, with teachers and teacher aides partnering to support students. In each classroom, two or three teachers or teacher aides work alongside speech and occupational therapists, specialist teachers, and leading teachers.
To facilitate the implementation of educational programs, the NSA offers a range of specialized services, including speech pathology, occupational therapy, and access to student well-being staff.
These services are integrated into classroom settings, ensuring students have consistent and effective therapeutic programs.
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: http://www.northernautism.vic.edu.au
- Phone: 03 9462 5990
- Email: northern.sch.autism@education.vic.gov.au
- Address: 16-18 Gertz Avenue, Reservoir VIC 3073
Jacana School for Autism
Jacana School for Autism is a specialized institution under the Victorian State Government devoted to addressing the unique educational requirements of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Established in 2013, this school was created in response to the growing number of students with ASD in the North Western Victoria Region.
Currently accommodating 202 students aged 5 to 18, Jacana School for Autism serves both primary and secondary education needs.
The school firmly embraces the philosophy and practices of Positive Behavior Support.
Class groups are structured to consist of approximately eight students of similar chronological age.
Teaching teams typically comprise three educators per classroom, further supported by speech and occupational therapists, specialist teachers in subjects like Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, Design and Technology, leading teachers, and a school psychologist..
Contact Info
Visit the Website:
- http://www.jacanaschoolforautism.vic.edu.au/
- Phone: 03 9309 6258
- Address: Jacana School for Autism 19 – 39 Landy Road, Jacana Victoria 3047
Western Autistic School – Niddrie Campus
At Niddrie Autistic School, the curriculum revolves around individual students and their specific needs. They prioritize the identification and addressing of student learning priorities through Individual Learning Plans.
The school’s primary objective is to cater to the needs arising from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and leverage individual strengths to optimize each student’s skills before transitioning to a non-ASD-specific school setting.
They achieve this through intensive, personalized teaching that emphasizes foundational communication, social, emotional, and language skills during a child’s early schooling.
The holistic curriculum is based on student strengths, interests, and learning preferences, with teachers incorporating Individual Learning Plans (ILP).
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: http://niddrieautisticschool.vic.edu.au/
- Phone: (03) 9112 8112
- Email: Niddrie.autistic.sch@education.vic.gov.au
- Address: Corner of Teague and Garnet Street Niddrie 3042
Woodbury Autism Education and Research
Woodbury Autism Education and Research is a dedicated independent co-educational school that specializes in providing exceptional education and support for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Woodbury, stands as a beacon of excellence in autism education. Their unique service caters to the diverse needs of these children, fostering their growth, independence, and full potential.
It distinguishes itself by exclusively implementing the proven and highly effective teaching methods of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which has shown remarkable results in enhancing communication, behavior, and academic skills in individuals with autism.
Through their holistic approach, Woodbury Autism Education and Research empowers every child with the tools necessary to navigate their educational journey confidently.
Contact Info:
Visit the Website http://woodbury.org.au/
- Phone: 0296396152
- Email: hello@woodbury.org.au
- Address: Woodbury School, Balcombe Heights Estate, 11/92 Seven Hills Road Baulkham Hills, NSW, 2153
Errington Special Education Centre
Errington Special Education Centre is a dedicated school providing quality education and care for approximately 110 students with disabilities and special care needs.
This safe and secure environment caters to students aged 5 to 17 with varying degrees of physical and intellectual disabilities. Each student receives a tailored education plan to meet their unique requirements.
The school, which opened in 2014, is divided into four sub-schools within three buildings and maintains small class sizes to ensure students receive the necessary support.
Errington Special Education Centre serves a diverse range of students with conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and more. The staff is highly trained to provide an optimal learning environment.
Contact Info:
- Visit the Website: http://www.erringtonsec.sa.edu.au/
- Phone : (08) 8293 3779
- Address: 21B Errington Street, Plympton – South Australia
Conclusion
In Australia, the availability of high-quality autism schools is making a significant difference in the lives of children on the autism spectrum.
These schools are not only places of learning but also sources of support, understanding, and empowerment for both students and their families.
As seen, each of the 11 Autism Schools discussed in this article contributes to the broader mission of creating inclusive and nurturing environments where students with autism can thrive.
