AUTISM INCLUSION TEACHER - page 1 

It absolutely warms my heart to hear amazing speakers, with lived experience capture the work we are aiming for here at HEPS. The below infographic on Nell Harris, author, artist and just an out and out gorgeous person, shows an overview of what Nell spoke to all AIT’s about at our recent conference. 

I believer that embedded change happens when knowledge is increased and we all work together in making our site, and the education system as a whole, a truly inclusive space for all neuro types. 

Here at HEPS we have worked hard to increase all of our own knowledge on the diversity of brains, with a focus on neurodivergence. We know that when our young people feel like they belong when being their authentic self, their wellbeing is improved and statistics show that mental health is better. 

If you have ideas about how to continue to work towards that, we always want to hear from you …

This year in the AIT role we have:

• Implemented amazing storybook packs into each unit (including books such as: Impulsive Ninja, Mary Nhin; My Brain is a Race Car, Nell Harris: Neurodiversity! What’s That? Nadine Arthur; Some Brains. A book celebrating neurodiversity, Nelly Thomas; Super Shamalal (living and learning with Persistent Drive for Autonomy/ PDA); The Brain Forest, Sandhya Menon; The Judgemental Flower, Julia Cook; This is Me! I am who I’m meant to be, Amy Pflueger)-> this idea has been taken up the AIT network too.
• Evacuation Sensory Bags

• HEPS Parent Sessions twice a term (including: Assistive Technology; Sensory needs and preferences; Regulation; hosting SIES Parent Forum etc)
• Free Community Sessions – Talking Neurodivergence – this is a community program run by HEPS, with Anglicare SA and The Onkaparinga Council. We’ve held free sessions with Mark LeMessieur and Madhavi Nawana-Parker
• Educator Trainings on: Spoon Theory, Executive Functioning, Window of Tolerance, Sensory Needs and Preferences, new resources, Values & identity and how this informs our teaching practices, Child development theories – with focus on Maslow’s Hierarchy, Piaget and Erikson’s developmental theories, Masking, Nervous systems, ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, PDA- Persistent Demand for Autonomy,
• Creation of new resources for the school (which have been taken on by the AIT network)- these vocab building cards enable our educators and young people to build up their understanding of neurodivergence

• Working and sharing ideas and resources with our Kindy, Wirreanda Secondary school and other local primary schools. 

And many other things… 

It has been an utter privilege to be Hackham East Primary School’s Autism Inclusion teacher for the past 2 years. This position is one that I feel is leading the way with change and will have a BIG impact on our education system as a whole. 

I invite you to join me on Tuesday the 3rd of December to meet the 2025 Autism Inclusion Teacher…

I look forward to seeing you there for a coffee/ tea, some nibbles and a chat…

Cass Humphrey

HEPS Autism Inclusion Teacher

Cassie.Humphrey574@schools.sa.edu.au