Giant Steps Sydney :: Innovative Education and Therapeutic Programs for children with Autism and their families.

Infants and Primary


The programs cater for students between 5 - 8 years of age, (Infants) and 8-12 years of age, (Primary) with a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and associated developmental delay. The focus of the programs is on each child's individual, social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development. Students within the program are supported by highly qualified and committed teachers and therapists providing innovative programs supported by outstanding resources. The program incorporates an academic curriculum adapted from the NSW Board of Studies syllabus as used in all schools in NSW. It also incorporates speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration, activities of daily living and social skill development.

The academic program provides an opportunity to consolidate and reinforce various goals and outcomes determined by the whole team. Although the academic program is an individual discipline within the school, it aims to incorporate individualised goals for each child, as determined by other therapists and facilitators in the school. In turn, this integrated team approach ensures that each child's individual program is updated constantly with support strategies catering for their individual needs. All of the children in the Infants and Primary programs participate in academic programs. For some children, the programs are designed to provide them with the skills that will be required in their integration settings. For other children, the programs directly reflect expectations as guided by the teacher in the integration school. Regardless of how the academic program is set, it is individualised to address the relevant needs of the child.
The individualised programs focus mainly on the areas of fine motor, printing, reading and maths and directly reflect the NSW K-6 Syllabus. The academic program is implemented in an intensive one-to-one instruction period by the Educator (teacher's aide) as well as in small groups of children. Each child has their own area in the school where instruction occurs, which is equipped for academic and some relevant therapeutic goals. Group sessions are also paramount to the academic program. These activities work towards integration, the primary objective of the Giant Steps program where students are successfully returned to their local school region as integrated members of the local school. The overall aim of group time is to allow for the children to be exposed to a similar environment to that which they will experience in the regular school upon integration, including similar structures and social expectations. Following a period of full time placement in the Giant Steps program for pre-integration skill development, a systematic process is implemented to achieve the goal of inclusion. The main objective of inclusion is to promote the development of socialisation and communication skills. Academic goals for some will remain secondary. If a student is at the same academic level as his/her peer group he/she will follow the class curriculum. If not, academic goals and objectives will be completed at Giant Steps, whilst during inclusion primary emphasis will be on the development of socialisation and communication.