The School Support Cards comprise of a set of disability specific cards to be used as a quick and easy reference point to support strategies and ideas for schools, leaders, teachers and other support staff working with students with disability and additional learning needs.

CARD TITLE
01

Physical disability

Provides a range of strategies to further assist teachers and schools to manage the physical environment, to encourage greater learning opportunities for students with a physical disability. Includes a teacher case study and suggestions about participation in physical education.

02

Sensory disability

Includes a variety of strategies for classroom teachers and whole of school to increase the range of communication channels on offer; that can lead to an increase in deeper learning for students with a sensory disability. Discusses a range of indicators for additional sensory disability.

03

Cognitive disability

A range of strategies for classroom enhancement of learning for students with a cognitive disability are suggested, including scaffolding chunks of learning, increasing a focus on student strengths and structured support in the playground. A teacher case study and restorative strategies to manage bullying are included.

04

Neurological disability

Suggests structured ideas and tasks to support students with a neurological disorder, with the view to increase their understanding of situational real life learning through hands on and role modelling strategies. A teacher case study is provided to give an example of managing change and transition.

05

Psychological disability

Suggests strategies to help students stay connected to school with flexible learning options whilst managing their disorder. Outlines professional learning for staff about mental health and illness; to build capacity to better meet the needs of all students. Examples of Australian school programs to promote mental health school wide are included.

06

Severe behaviour disorder

Assists staff to focus their responses to behaviour on strengths and what is working well for the student with severe behaviour disorder. Highlights instructional strategies that are proactive in downscaling behaviours and praising positive responses. A model for cycles of patterns of behaviour will assist teachers in their practice. Provides a teacher case study on applying persistence to improve student engagement.

07

Severe language disorder

Provides a range of strategies that scaffold learning for students with communication disorder. Flexible learning options give greater educational outcomes, and when supported by technologies can assist a range of language practices. Includes an activity to support working with the range of students with communication needs.

08

Complex needs

Suggests a range of strategies for students with complex needs including working on social skills, building organisational capacity, and improving communication with parents and families to better support their child. An engagement ladder to rate student learning on task will assist teachers in their planning and preparation.

09

Empathy and social development

A range of strategies that includes supporting the social skill development of students with disability, such as identifying a positive adult role model, learning appropriate reactions and responses and how to manage conflict effectively. The SEL (social and emotional learning) competencies, and how these can assist in reducing the stigma associated with disability are also addressed.

10

Child safety and protection

Offers a range of resources and tools for students with a disability to help keep themselves safe. Responses to bullying, building trust and identifying safety promotion strategies by engaging in effective building of skills. Examples of safe school frameworks, integrated school curriculum and additional facts about the increased vulnerability of students with disability will be useful for staff.

11

Autism spectrum disorder

Coming Soon

12

Learning difficulties

Coming Soon