AUTISM INCLUSION TEACHER

Week 4

I hope you and your family are going well and looking forward to the coming warmer weather.

During the second half of the school year, I am looking forward to connecting with parents and carers of neurodivergent young people. Having a brain that works differently from the average or ‘neurotypical’ person can mean that there is additional support needed within the educational setting to help your young person to feel regulated, comfortable, valued and like they authentically belong. Whilst we want these things for all of the students, and I believe here at HEPS we do an amazing job to trying and ensure this, we, as a society are moving towards gaining greater understanding around not changing someone to fit in but increasing our own neurotypical understanding (of Autism, ADHD etc) so that we have a greater insight. I genuinely hope this leads to reduced mental health difficulties for our neurodivergent children and adults. 

As the Autism Inclusion Teacher (AIT) at HEPS my aim throughout Term 3 is to provide our absolutely stunning educators with more knowledge around neurodivergence so that we can assist in providing better outcomes for all. 

What’s coming in Term 3:

• Parent survey - Week 5&6 - This is for all parents and caregivers. All of your voices are so important. The information from parents of neurodivergent students (or neurodivergent themselves) will assist in giving insight into areas which we can develop within the school and insight into their lived experience. For other families, I’m really interested to understand how, as a school we can support everyone to develop their own understanding of neurodivergence. Increased knowledge and awareness helps us all to grow.
• Parent Meet and Greet – TBA (more info to come soon… ) One of the things I love about being back in a school is getting to know the young people and their families, however, only being on site one day a week means that this is a tad tricky. I hope that you will attend, have something to eat and a chat. If you can’t attend and you’d love to meet please send me an email and we can organize a time.

I truly look forward to connecting with you all.

Cass Humphrey

Cassie.Humphrey574@schools.sa.edu.au