Heathridge Primary School is one of eight public primary schools to host the Specialised Learning Program (SLP) for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The SLP is a program for up to 25 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 with Autism who do not have the competencies at the point of enrolment to participate successfully full-time in mainstream classrooms.

The program targets age appropriate academic engagement and achievement while supporting the students’ communication, organisational skills, socialisation and self-regulation. Evidence-based approaches including Positive Behaviour Support, Discrete Trial Training, Direct Instruction, facilitated play, visual supports, schedules, explicit instruction, Zones of Regulation, Protective Behaviours, incidental teaching and modelling underpin the behaviourist approach adopted in the program to support the students’ development. Each student’s individual program is based on their unique profile, strengths, needs and goals, and encourage the development of social and communication skills.

Students spend some of their time in their ‘homeroom’ class undertaking specialist support and some of their time in mainstream classes.

In 2021, at Heathridge Primary School, we are introducing a mixture of SLP and HPS Autism Programs which allow us to have have four multi-aged homerooms:

Room 7 – K/PP/1

Room 8 – Year 2/3

Room 13 – Year 4/5/6

Meet the Team
The SLP is managed in collaboration with the Principal, Denise Pires, and the Program Coordinator Bronwyn May.

The K/PP/1 homeroom uses intensive teaching strategies to facilitate the learning outcomes so that the students have greater skills for mainstream participation and independence. Kindergarten students attend the program full time which is every Tuesday and Thursday, and every second Monday – full days. Pre-Primary and year One students attend the program with gradual transition into their mainstream classes.

The Year 2/3 homeroom uses explicit teaching strategies and hands-on activities to engage students and teach academic skills, and provide opportunities to support the development of skills such as communication self-regulation, peer interaction and organisational skills.

The Year 3/4/5/6 homeroom use explicit teaching strategies to engage students and teach academic skills, and provide opportunities to support the development of skills such as communication self-regulation, peer interaction and executive functioning skills.

How do I apply?
For more information about the Department Of Education Initiative, please click here.

For the Specialised Learning Program Fact Sheet click here.

If you would like more information or would like an Expression of Interest Form sent to you, please contact the Program Coordinator, Bronwyn May, on 9233 8950 or Heathridge.ps@education.wa.edu.au