As of 2019, North Mandurah Primary School became one of the public schools to host the Specialised Learning Program (SLP-A) for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The SLP-A is a program for up to 25 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 with Autism who do not have the competencies at the point of enrolment to participate successfully full-time in mainstream classrooms.
The program targets age appropriate academic engagement and achievement while supporting the students’ communication, organisational skills, socialisation and self-regulation. Evidence-based approaches including Positive Behaviour Support, Discrete Trial Training, Direct Instruction, facilitated play, visual supports, schedules, explicit instruction, Protective Behaviours, incidental teaching and modelling underpin the behaviourist approach adopted in the program to support the students’ development. Each student’s individual program is based on their unique profile, strengths, needs and goals, and encourage the development of social and communication skills.
Students spend some of their time in their ‘homeroom’ class undertaking specialist support and some of their time in mainstream classes. At North Mandurah Primary School we have three multi-aged homerooms:
Early Childhood (EC1) – Kindergarten and Pre-Primary
Room (A2) – Year 1, 2 and 3
Room (D2) – Year 4, 5 and 6
The SLP-A is managed in collaboration with the Principal, James Peletier, and the Program Coordinator, Debbie Hawthorn.
The Kindergarten and Pre-Primary class is made up of one specialised teacher, Wendy Tragenza, and four full time education assistants; The Kindergarten/Pre-Primary homeroom uses intensive teaching strategies to facilitate the learning outcomes so that the students have greater skills for mainstream participation and independence. Kindergarten students attend the program for 15 hours per week TBA. Pre-Primary students attend the program with gradual transition into the mainstream Pre-Primary class
The Year 1 to 3 class is made up of one specialised teacher, Kim Hardy and two full time education assistants. The Year 1/2 homeroom uses explicit teaching strategies and hands-on activities to engage students and teach academic skills, and provide opportunities to support the development of skills such as communication self-regulation, peer interaction and organisational skills. Students in Year 1 and 2 may spend part of each week in mainstream classrooms
The Year 4 to 6 class is made up of one specialised teacher, Matilda Hindmarsh, and two full time education assistants. The Year 4 to 6 homeroom uses explicit teaching strategies to engage students and teach academic skills, and provide opportunities to support the development of skills such as communication self-regulation, peer interaction and executive functioning skills. Students in Years 3 – 5 may spend part of each week in mainstream classrooms.
Zoe Chalmers is our specialist teacher who will take students in the SLP for a range of subjects. All staff are trained in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Positive Behaviour Support, Functional Behaviour Analysis and Team Teach to ensure students reach their full potential.
For more information regarding eligibility, please click on the following links:
Click here for Expression of Interest Form
Click here for our Information Flyer
If you would like more information or would like an Expression of Interest Form sent to you, please contact the Program Coordinator, Debbie Hawthorn, on 08 9586 0800 or Debbie.Hawthorn@education.wa.edu.au.
