Inclusion Across All Settings
Developmental educators focus on making environments, systems, and communities more accessible—instead of expecting people to change who they are. Using a person-centred, human rights, and evidence-based approach, they help individuals, families, organisations, and communities create spaces where everyone can participate, belong, and thrive.
Education, Work, and Community SettingsÂ
Across education, work and community settings, TheAutisticTeacher works with individuals to:Â
​
• Identify and remove barriers to participation
• Build on individual strengths
• Teach practical, evidence-based skills
• Recommend reasonable adjustments
• Promote self-advocacy and self-determination
• Educate families, professionals, and organisations
• Advocate for human rights and fair access
• Support inclusion, participation, and belonging
Education Support
​
Inclusive education means all students can join in learning alongside their peers. It is a human right, protected by the Disability Standards in Education Act 2005. When schools are inclusive, students build independence, make friends, grow in confidence, and feel like they belong—leading to better outcomes for everyone. Developmental Educators work with students, families, and school staff to make learning environments more inclusive and support meaningful participation for everyone
How a Developmental Educator can help in Education:
​
-
Observe classrooms and spot barriers, such as sensory, communication, and environmental challenges
-
Help schools use practical adjustments—like visual supports, predictable routines, flexible learning options, sensory tools, communication aids, assistive technology, alternative assessments, and transition supports
-
Teach proven strategies that build skills and independence—such as modelling, prompting, breaking tasks into steps, peer support, and natural, everyday learning opportunities
-
Coach teachers and model inclusive practices, develop classroom strategies, provide professional learning, and track progress together
-
Bring everyone together—students, families, teachers, support staff, school leaders, and allied health professionals—to work as a team
Workplace Support
Developmental Educators help people find, keep, and succeed in meaningful jobs. Inclusive workplaces let everyone contribute, building independence and improving quality of life.
Developmental Educators can assist individuals through assessing the workplace for barriers, Â teaching job skills and suggesting supports for communication, executive functioning, emotional regulation, routines, problem-solving, and self-advocacy
​
Developmental Educators also:
-
Teach employers about neurodiversity and how to create supportive, safe, and inclusive workplaces for everyone.
-
Help employers recognise and address barriers like sensory overload, unclear expectations, inaccessible communication, strict routines, social demands, and distracting environments.
-
Support workplace advocacy—helping people understand their rights, share their needs, request reasonable adjustments, address challenges, and build confidence and independence.
Community Participation
Developmental Educators partner with individuals, families, organizations, and community groups to make community spaces more accessible and welcoming for everyone.
A Developmental Educator can help you build skills for:
​
• Community participation
• Shopping and transport
• Managing money
• Recreation and volunteering
• Social activities
• Independent living
• Accessing community services
​
​
They also help organizations find and fix barriers—like unclear communication, sensory challenges, not enough visual information, inflexible rules, and lack of understanding about neurodiversity.