Following strong interest in its Community of Practice series, Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) is expanding the initiative, including a virtual session on 10 June aimed at increasing access for educators across the country.
Educators are being invited to register their interest in joining the growing national network, which brings together teachers, school leaders, researchers and people with lived experience to strengthen inclusive education for Autistic students.
The expansion follows Aspect’s latest full-day Community of Practice event, held in Sydney on 25 March, which focused on the theme “Autism in schools – building a shared understanding for effective practice.”
Launched in 2025, the Community of Practice was designed to connect educators across public, Catholic and independent school systems, creating a platform to share knowledge, examine challenges and develop practical, classroom-ready solutions.
Aspect National Director of Education Ms Maryanne Gosling said the initiative responds to increasing demand for cross-sector collaboration.
“Educators are increasingly seeking opportunities to work together across schools and sectors to strengthen inclusive practice,” she said.
“The Community of Practice creates a space where teachers, leaders, researchers and people with lived experience can explore challenges together, share expertise and develop practical strategies that can be applied in classrooms and schools.”
Unlike traditional conferences, the Community of Practice model centres on collaborative inquiry and shared problem-solving, enabling participants to learn directly from each other’s experiences and translate evidence into classroom practice.
At the Sydney event in March, practical strategies for inclusive classrooms were a key focus.
Mr Craig Smith, Manager Technology and Innovations at Positive Partnerships, outlined tools to support the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
“Even when we are deeply focused on inclusion, we can still carry strong assumptions about what learning can look like,” he said. “Universal Design for Learning challenges us to design learning environments from the outset, so that more students can access and engage with the curriculum in ways that work for them.”
Ms Alma George, Manager of High Support Learning Centres at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, highlighted the importance of neuro-friendly environments, emphasising that inclusive education requires adapting classrooms rather than expecting students to change.
She pointed to low-load, high-impact strategies that can make learning spaces more accessible and supportive for Autistic students.
Insights into classroom practice were also shared by Ms Jess Hammond and Ms Jo Cordukes from Aspect South East Sydney School. Their case study on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)-informed approaches demonstrated how safety, predictability and connection can support meaningful student progress.
Across the event, participants explored key themes including building a shared understanding of autism as a neurodevelopmental difference, designing inclusive and neuro-friendly learning environments, and embedding universal supports and reasonable adjustments within high-quality teaching practice.
Collaborative workshops enabled educators to share experiences and develop practical solutions across school sectors – an approach Aspect will continue to build on as the Community of Practice expands nationally.
