Understanding and Supporting Children with Autism | Transitioning to Preschool | Inclusion Hub Updates
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February 2023
Welcome back to all our Preschools and Educators as you begin the new year with many new children and families.
It’s an exciting new start to the year with no lockdowns in view, and our education programs running at their best whilst keeping within the safety parameters to keep our children, families and staff well and healthy.
We wish you all a positive start to the beginning of the year and hope that your children and any new staff are settling in well.
We hope you enjoy these regular newsletters which give an insight into some inclusion topics. You will be able to find previous editions of our SCB Inclusion Links newsletters on the Learning Links Inclusion Hub, along with a range of other resources and information to support your inclusion programs. Just take a look on the Tools and Resources page!
Assisting Children to Transition to Preschool
With lots of new children and families starting at your centres, here are some tips to help you settle and transition your children into preschool:
- Create and use a visual daily schedule where children can visually be supported to understand what is expected of them. Children experiencing some separation anxiety would also benefit from the visual schedule as you can remove the completed tasks as the day progresses to demonstrate how many more activities they need to participate in before home time. Please reach out if you require resources to assist with this.
- Use visual aids to communicate what is happening and what’s expected including schedules of basic routines such as toileting and hand washing.
- Discuss strategies of toileting and eating with families to have a grasp on the child’s skills in this area and how much support they will require.
- Be patient and give children some choice, independence and control during the day as they grow to develop trust of their environment and carers.
- Work to build the relationship with children through finding out their interests and how they respond to new people. Some children respond well to comfort such as cuddles, whereas others will need time to allow this contact to happen. Find out what calms a child i.e. do they like music, planes, singing or dinosaurs. Make sure these items or activities are readily available.
- Have many sensory toys or equipment available to assist in sensory and emotional regulation. Have quiet spaces and room for physical activity to respond to the varied emotional needs of individual children.
- Remember that toileting, eating and communicating are the things that children have most control over. When they are in a new environment, children may seek control by refusing these tasks. That's ok, just work to build a trusting relationship.
February Focus:
Understanding and Supporting Children with Autism
This month we are providing a range of information and support regarding autism. We are focusing on increasing understanding of autism and establishing ways we can respond to the individual support needs of autistic children.
We encourage you all to have a read of the Learning Links Tip Sheet - Supporting Children on the Autism Spectrum in Early Childhood. The link to this Tip Sheet can be found below.
We would also like to share with you that ‘World Autism Understanding Day’ is coming up on the 2nd April 2023. This is an important date to support our communities to develop understanding and acceptance of autism. You can find more information about this important day on the Aspect website here.
Webinar: Strategies to Support Children with ASD
Our February webinar provides practical strategies for implementing a range of communication techniques to assist children in developing their communication skills and understanding routines, as well as supporting their emotional development.
Further to our focus on autism this month, we encourage you to read our Tip Sheet below for parents on Helping Children Cope with Change. Feel free to share this with both families and educators.
The following articles are also useful for sharing with parents to assist them in the transition to preschool and adjusting to new routines -
Education.com | Transitioning to Preschool: 9 Ways to Help Your Child
Raising Children Network | Starting preschool: Practical tips to help
Please visit our Learning Links SCB Inclusion Hub for further information, resources and professional learning on autism. Some of the recommended resources include -
ASPECT Fact sheets
- Healthdirect Fact Sheet: Autism spectrum disorder - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
This article has significant and valuable information regarding autism. It is well worth a read and would be useful for sharing with new educators.
- Sue Larkey Courses and Resources
Sue Larkey is an expert in her field delivering a range of professional development, workshops, webinars, podcasts and resources.
- Autism Association of Western Australia Article: Understanding Behaviour
This article has some great tips for understanding behaviour when supporting children with autism. Refer to this article for further information about forming our practice when responding to behaviour.
- Autism SA Article: What Is The Autism Spectrum?
This article is a great summary of Autism Spectrum Disorder with a focus on strengths and also includes information on the signs of autism. This is useful information in assisting to determine if you should be referring a child for further support regarding their development. However please note, it is extremely important not to make the assumption that a child has autism and never state to a parent that is your concern. Focus on communicating the developmental areas where the child is presenting as needing more support than their peers in the classroom. Provide information about the benefits of seeking early intervention and where to seek support.
Learning Links Locations
Alexandria (Support Office)
Suite 3, Level 1
140 Bourke Rd
Alexandria NSW 2015
Ph: (02) 8525 8250
Bella Vista
6a/7 Meridian Pl
Bella Vista NSW 2153
Ph: (02) 8525 8260
Gledswood Hills
Suite 7, SOMA Wellness
7 Gregory Hills Dr
Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Ph: (02) 8525 8270
Liverpool
Shop 2, 54-56 Macquarie St (North)
Liverpool NSW 2170
Ph: (02) 8525 8280
Oatley
Cnr Oatley Rd and
Hurstville Rd
Oatley NSW 2223
Ph: (02) 8525 8222
Peakhurst
12-14 Pindari Rd
Peakhurst NSW 2210
Ph: (02) 8525 8222