Disability Education
Services for Students with a Disability
ACT public schools offer a range of specialist settings and programs for children and students with a disability. If your child has a disability and you wish to find out what services and support are available in your area please contact your school counsellor. Parents are not required to enrol directly in special settings as placement is done through a centralised process.
If your child is not currently enrolled in an ACT public school, please contact the Student Support Section of the Education and Training Directorate on (02) 6205 6925. A description of settings and programs is provided below. If you would like further information on any of these programs please contact the Student Support Section. Access to special education programs is through school counsellors.
Student Centred Appraisal of Need Booklet for Parents, Carers and Staff 
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Early Childhood Intervention Programs
The Early Childhood Education Early Intervention Program
The ACT Education and Training Directorate provides a range of Early Intervention programs for children with additional needs, administered through the Early Childhood Education Section, within the branch of Learning and Teaching.
The Early Childhood Intervention Program is available to eligible children aged two years to school entry who have, or are at risk of having:
- delays in development;
- a disability;
- at risk from social or environmental factors;
- severe communication and social difficulties; and/or
- multiple disabilities.
The Early Childhood Intervention Program focuses on learning through play, participation, exploration and experimentation. Within a developmentally appropriate, play based program staff plan programs to support children across all areas of development.
Parents/carers, staff and involved therapists (as necessary) work together to develop and review Individual Learning Plans (ILP) for each child.
Staff provide information and parent/family education within sessions, including modelling appropriate play, interactions and communication strategies. They seek input from parents/carers when planning learning experiences.
Early Childhood Intervention Playgroups (ECIP)
Children aged two to three years of age are eligible to attend EIPs if they have, or are at risk of having:
- severe communication and social difficulties;
- multiple disabilities;
- significant developmental delay; and/or
- significant physical disabilities.
Children referred to a general Early Childhood Intervention Playgroup attend one 2.5 hour session per week. Group size is limited to six children.
Children referred to the Communication and Social Awareness Playgroup attend two sessions for a total 4 hours per week. Group size is limited to six children.
Early Childhood Intervention Units (ECIU)
EIUs provide an early intervention program for children aged three to school entry who have, or are at risk of having:
- delays in development;
- a disability;
- at risk from social or environmental factors;
- severe communication and social difficulties; and/or
- multiple disabilities.
Children attend two sessions for a total of 5.25 hours per week. EIU’s operate with a maximum of 12 in a group with two staff members.
Eligible children may access a local preschool program to a total of 12 or 15 hours, depending on provision. Local preschools may apply through the Support at Preschool process for additional support for children, where required. This process is conducted in consultation with the principal and school counsellor.
Language Intervention Unit (LIU)
The LIU provides an early intervention program for children aged three to school age with language/speech disorders where a severe delay, in the expressive and receptive language areas (not articulation), has been diagnosed by a speech pathologist.
Children attend one 4 hour and 15 minute session per week. The LIU operates with a maximum of 12 children in a group with two staff members. A Therapy ACT speech pathologist is also part of the team, planning collaboratively with the class teacher to provide an appropriate program for each child.
Eligible children may access a local preschool program to a total of 12 or 15 hours, depending on provision. Local preschools may apply through the Support at Preschool process for additional support for children, where required. This process is conducted in consultation with the principal and school counsellor.
Autism Intervention Unit (AIU)
AIUs provide an early intervention program for children who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Children attend two 4.5 hour sessions per week. AIUs operate with a maximum of four children in a group with two staff members.
Children may also access a local preschool program for 4 hours per week. Support for this inclusion is provided by staff from Early Childhood Education. Families may apply to access an additional four to eight hours per week in the local preschool program. Local preschools may apply through the Support at Preschool process for additional support for children, where required.
For more information contact Early Childhood Education on 6207 1106.
Early Childhood Centre (ECC)
ECCs provide a small group educational program within a regular preschool environment for children aged 3 to school age with a mild to moderate developmental delay or a diagnosis of Autism. There are 8 children in each group, with one teacher and one assistant.These centres are administered by the primary specialist schools, Cranleigh, Malkara and Turner.
Groups for 3 year old children operate for 8 hours per week. Groups for 4 year old children operate for 12 hours per week.
Early Childhood Units (ECU)
ECUs provide a small group educational program for children aged 3 to school age with a moderate to severe developmental delay or disabilities. They are located in specialist school settings at Cranleigh and Malkara Schools.
There are 6 children in each group, with one teacher and one assistant. Groups for 3 year old children operate for 8 hours per week. Groups for 4 year old children operate for 12 hours per week.
Support Teachers – Vision
The Vision Support Team is a team of specialist trained staff who provide support to children and young people from birth to year 12 who meet the ACT Disability criteria for vision impairment. Support may be through direct teaching for students and/or through consultative support to classes, schools and families. The team works with the Guide Dogs Association and other agencies and provides Braille and other resource production services.
Support Teachers – Hearing
The Hearing Support Team is a team of specialist trained staff who provide support to children and young people from birth to year 12 who meet the ACT Student Disability Criteria for hearing impairment. Support may be through direct teaching for students, and/or through consultative support to classes, schools and families. The team works with the Australian Hearing Services and other agencies.
Support Teachers – Inclusion
Inclusion Support Teachers work to build teacher, school and system capacity to support students with a disability in mainstream classes. The team works with staff to develop, plan and evaluate strategies that aim to maximise student access, engagement and participation.
Inclusive Technology support
The Inclusive Technologies team provides technical support, professional learning, specialised advice, resources and assistance for a range of technologies to address the needs of students with a disability.
Support Classes – Language
Students aged between 5 and 8 who have a significant language disorder may be offered a Language Support Class placement. The program focuses on language and communication in conjunction with core curriculum areas.
Learning Support Units
LSUs are small classes of up to eight students located in primary schools, high schools and colleges. Students must meet the ACT Student Disability Criteria for Intellectual Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder to be placed in these programs.
Learning Support Units - Autism specific
LSU-As are small classes of up to six students located in primary and high schools. Students placed in these settings must meet the ACT Student Disability criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Learning Support Centres
LSCs are classes for students with a significant learning delay, a mild intellectual disability or who meet the ACT Student Disability criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder. They are located in primary schools, high schools and colleges.
The Hospital School
The Hospital School caters for students from preschool to Year 12 with short term, long term and chronic illness. The school is based at The Canberra Hospital in the Paediatrics ward.
Specialist School programs
Cranleigh and Malkara Schools are specialist primary schools for students with a moderate to profound intellectual disability, or Autism Spectrum Disorder who require intensive levels of support.
Turner School operates as a primary school with a predominant enrolment of mainstream students and a substantial enrolment of students with disabilities. Students who access the Disability Education program at Turner meet the ACT criteria for intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Woden School is a specialist setting for students in years 7 to 12 students with an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Black Mountain School offers programs for students in years 7 to 12 with a moderate to profound intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder requiring intensive levels of support.
