AUTISM INCLUSION TEACHER

I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to all the families that I’ve connected with this year. It’s truly a privilege to learn from you. In 2024 I’m looking forward to connecting with those that I’m yet to do so.

Please find a link to the PowerPoint from our last parent session. Some of these slides may not make complete sense without elaboration – if you’d like to get more insight I’m always happy to find a mutual time to connect.

Whilst my role is Autism Inclusion Teacher, which would give you the assumption that I’m just here to support educators and Autistic young people, my main aim is to increase all our understanding of neurodiversity as a whole. Diversity of brains is something that I feel is an area we all, as a community, need to increase our understanding and awareness of so that we can work towards being truly inclusive. So if you’re a parent/ carer (you don’t need to have a neurodivergent child or be neurodivergent yourself) and you are interested in finding out more, you are always welcome to email me (cassie.humphrey574@schools.sa.edu.au). The ‘more we know, the better we do…’ 

At HEPS we have broadened my role because we feel that if we educate all our young people around the diversity of brains, individual sensory needs & preferences, co-regulation/ regulation this helps to not only empower them, but also assists in supporting them to advocate for their own needs now and in to the future. Another element of this is that by having a greater understanding of neurodiversity, our young people can develop a positive understanding of themselves and others. We all want to feel that we belong when we are our authentic self, and my hope is that the work we are doing will help for this to happen. 

I’m in the midst of planning 2024 and hoping to host 2 parent sessions each term. If you have any ideas on topics you’d like me to focus on I’d love to hear from you. I’m also wanting to work out a way to accommodate working families in attending – if you are keen to be a part of these sessions but haven’t been able to attend please let me know. 

If I don’t see you beforehand, I hope you all have an amazing and restful break over Christmas and the New Year.

Cass Humphrey

HEPS Autism Inclusion Teacher

Cassie.Humphrey574@schools.sa.edu.au