The Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC): Supporting improved educational outcomes for students on the autism spectrum

Students on the autism spectrum present unique challenges to school systems. An inclusive approach to education requires teachers to address these challenges and to support the unique needs of students on the spectrum. The Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC) is the world’s first national, cooperative research effort focused on autism. One initial research project conducted by Autism CRC researchers was the Australian Autism Educational Needs Analysis (ASD-ENA). This project produced the first Australia-wide needs analysis of students on the autism spectrum (aged 5–18 years). Utilising a mixed methods approach, the needs analysis collected information from four key stakeholder groups: educators, specialists, students on the autism spectrum, and parents. The research results highlight the social and emotional needs of students as a top priority for parents, students, and teachers. This emphasises the importance of helping school staff to manage the social environment in schools to ensure the social emotional needs of students on the spectrum can be effectively addressed