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Inclusion

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Inclusive resources designed to provide targeted support for students with disability including autism, vision impairment, deaf and hard of hearing, and other learning differences to fully participate in learning@home can be found here.

These resources will assist parents and support students to engage in learning alongside their similar-aged peers, supported by reasonable adjustments tailored to meet their individual needs in the home environment.

Assistive technologies to support all learners are also provided here to ensure inclusion for all children.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I contact my child's teacher while learning at home?

Your child’s teacher and school can help you and your child while learning at home.

Schools will communicate directly with students and their parents about how and when they will receive learning materials and teacher feedback. This might include emails, newsletters, Facebook posts or other online tools.

If you don’t know how to contact your child’s teacher, contact your school and they will help you.

For more information, visit learning@home Advice for Parents.

Talk to your child’s teacher or school about how you can communicate with each other.

This animation provides information about how to contact your child’s teacher. Transcript.

What types of things can I talk to my child’s teacher about?

You can talk to your child’s teacher and their school about how things are going for your child while learning at home including:

  • what your child is achieving and what they are enjoying
  • what your child needs more help with.

Teachers and your child’s school can help you and provide advice about a wide range of issues including:

  • what curriculum materials your child should access at home
  • tips to support learning including setting up a learning space and establishing routines
  • how much supervision your child may require with their learnin
  • adjustments that can be made to support students with disability with their learning
  • how to use assistive technology as part of your child’s learning at home
  • your child’s wellbeing
  • additional support materials

Before talking to your child’s teacher or school it can be helpful to write down the issues you would like to discuss. This will help you during your conversation with your child’s teacher or their school, or when you are communicating via email.

How can I support my child to learn at home?

Staying in contact with your child’s teacher and school is a great first step in supporting your child’s learning at home.

Some of the things you may like to consider are:

  • Setting up a learning space
  • Setting up a daily routine—your child may still get dressed and ready for school
  • Setting a learning timetable—schools may provide a timetable for learning, which includes lesson times and breaks and can be adapted for your family’s circumstances and needs
  • Deciding how much supervision your child needs—talking to your child’s teacher will help you to decide how much supervision and what type of supervision your child needs
  • Using different tools for learning for example, some learning may involve technology and at other times print or hard copy materials
  • Including yourself in your child’s communication with their teacher—talk to your child’s teacher about the best way you can be included in your child’s communication with them
  • Determining how you will use assistive technology if your child needs it—more information about assistive technology is available on the learning@home website.
  • Developing a reward system and set times for fun and recreational activities.

Students with disability will have different needs depending on their disability and how it impacts on their learning. Disability-specific advice is available on learning@home for children with vision impairment, autism, intellectual disability, physical impairment and students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Talking to your child about learning at home will help you to find out what your child is learning, what they are enjoying and what they might need more help with.

Every day tips at home

In the morning before learning starts you may need to take some time to check-in with your child and make a plan for the day. This may include going through the routine for the day (breaks and learning times), providing them with choices regarding the order of the learning activities and ensuring that all the learning materials are available/accessible.

Supporting your child to understand the instructions and expectations of their learning task will help them to participate and engage in them. Further information is available in the Building understanding fact sheet.

During the day, check in regularly to see how your child is progressing. The number of times you check in will depend on your child’s age and learning needs.

In the afternoon, you may need to take some time to check-in with your child, asking questions such as what did you enjoy learning today, what was something new you learned, or what did you find hard and/or need more support with.

Talk to your child’s teacher or school regularly about how your child is progressing at home and if you have any issues or concerns.
What can I do if I am worried about my child’s wellbeing?

You can get advice from your child’s school about supporting your child’s wellbeing.

There are also many things you can do to help your child during this time and helping them to stay connected to families and friends. Tips and strategies to support your child are available on the learning@home Wellbeing of students page.

Other strategies can be found on the learning@home Autism page.

What can I do if my child is having problems learning at home?

For some children and young people, learning at home will be challenging with changes to regular routines, losing contact with friends and peers and being taught or supported in their learning by parents or other family members.

Keeping in touch with your child’s teacher and school team will allow you to discuss concerns you may have. This communication is important so that you can seek advice and solve issues quickly.

Contact your child’s teacher or your child’s school to discuss your child’s learning at home. Working with your child’s school to solve issues quickly gives your child the best chance to learn successfully at home.
What community support can I access for myself?

It is important to look after yourself during this time and continue to get the support you need. Try to take regular breaks to avoid becoming worn out and take the time to do something for yourself throughout the day. You can watch this animation for more information about accessing support. Transcript.

If you need help or support you can contact the following organisations for 24-hour assistance:

  • For respite support (including in the case of an emergency), contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
  • If you need counselling and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Queenslanders with disability who don’t have carers, family or friends to assist them are encouraged to phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to request essential food, household items and medicines.

The Carer Australia website provides many resources including advice on a range of COVID-19 topics.

It is important to plan ahead in case you become ill and are no longer able to provide the level of care your child requires, or if it becomes difficult to access essential services. The Carer Gateway website has an Emergency Care Plan that may be useful to complete.

Parents of children with NDIS plans can keep up to date with the latest information through the NDIA website, and via Facebook and Twitter. See 'What community support services can I access for my child' tab below for further information about changes to NDIS plans.

Below is a list of services and organisations that can provide support to parents and carers, and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

The current service delivery by these organisations is likely to have been affected by social distancing restrictions due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Please check their website for up-to-date information about services and programs available.

Organisation Description
Respite support
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) If your child or you have an NDIS plan you may want to talk to the National Disability Insurance Agency about getting some extra help.
Carer Gateway For respite support (including in the case of an emergency), contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
Mental health and wellbeing
Lifeline Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or access their online crisis support chat
Beyond Blue Beyond Blue has a range of supports for adults and children experiencing mental health difficulties. You can call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, web chat (from 3pm to midnight, 7 days) or visit their website to access online support.
Domestic Violence (PDF, 182KB) Information about accessing advice and support from other agencies if there is stress and conflict caused by isolating in your home (especially if you have unstable housing or you or someone in your family is experiencing domestic and family violence).
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council Information about COVID 19 and services for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
Help getting groceries, medication
Community Recovery Hotline If you have no other means of getting food or essential items, call 1800 173 349.
Carers' groups and supports A list of support services for all carers, with some additional services specific to groups such as parents and grandparents, older and younger carers, and carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Carer Gateway Carer Gateway is a national online and phone service that provides practical information and resources to support carers. The interactive service finder helps carers connect to local support services. To find out more phone 1800 422 737 (free call, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).
Carers Queensland Carers Queensland provides a range of support services.
Association for Children with a Disability The Association for Children with a Disability provides resources to assist parents in supporting siblings of a child with a disability.
Livewire Livewire is an online community enabling parents and carers of people living with a disability, serious illness or chronic health condition to connect and support one another via the internet.
Raising Children Raising Children helps parents and carers make decisions that work for them in their individual family circumstances.
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) Program Carers Queensland offers a CALD program (PDF) which helps eligible people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their families to receive culturally-appropriate home and community care (HACC) services. Multicultural service coordinators ensure the services match client needs. Phone 1800 242 636.
Self Help Queensland Self Help Queensland can help you find a self-help group in your area. Phone (07) 3344 6919 or email info@selfhelpqld.org.au.
What community support services can I access for my child?

Community support services

If your child has an National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan:

  • You can use their available Core Support funding flexibly to purchase additional supports and services in order to meet your child’s disability support needs.
  • If funding for Core Support is running low, or you believe you need an early/urgent plan review you can call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 (select option 5).

The NDIA has a specialised team of planners who are available to help make urgent changes to plans during this time.

More information and frequently asked questions about using your child’s NDIS plan can be found on the NDIS website.

The process to access support from the NDIS has not changed. To access the NDIS you will need to complete and submit an Access Request by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110 (select option 1).

Local Area Coordinators (LACs) may be able to assist you with the Access Request and connect you with local supports and services. You can find your local LAC on the NDIS website.

A range of community services, including disability supports to support with mental health and wellbeing, is available to help you and your child at this time. Below are some organisations that can provide you with advice and support for your child.

The list is not exhaustive and is only indicative of the options available in Queensland.

Organisation
Description
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Information for NDIS participants and how to use their NDIS plans or if you think you may need to apply for the NDIS.
Health
Queensland Health Latest official information about COVID-19.
First Nations—Queensland Health Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and service providers about COVID-19
Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council Information about COVID 19 and services for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
Mental health and wellbeing
Kids Helpline Counselling support for children aged 5 and up who have any concerns or issues.
Headspace Information for young people to learn about mental health, or if they need support, as well as information and services for families to support a young person going through a tough time.
Beyond Blue For information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
Disability supports
Queensland Government—Disability supports For information about how to get help for your child with disability.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia For information about advocacy for children and young people with disability living in Australia.
Raising Children Network—The Australian Parenting Website For free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information about raising children and caring for yourself as a parent or carer.
Parent Connect For information about early intervention, prevention and transition support for parents of children with a disability or who are developmentally delayed (0-6yrs) or older children (over 6 yrs) with a newly acquired or an identified disability.
Queenslanders with Disability Network For information about local support groups across Queensland for people with disability.
Community Resource Unit Advice for parents about working with their child’s school and information for people with disability and their families.
Disability specific
AEIOU Foundation For information about full-time early intervention program for children aged 2 to 6 who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Asperger Services Australia Support for parents, carers, families and individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome to participate and be fully included in the community.
Autism Behavioural Intervention Australia For information and support for families of children with autism to implement an intervention plan that meets their needs, as well as a parent helpline and email support to families of children with autism at all ages and stages of life.
Autism Queensland Information for children, adults and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to make a positive difference in their lives through choice and opportunity.
Deaf Services For information to enhance services and programs for Deaf and hard of hearing adults and children.
Down Syndrome Association of Queensland Inc Information for families to support, advocate and empower people with Down syndrome in order for them to be valuable and contributing members of their local and global communities.
Epilepsy Queensland Information for families to improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy and their carers/families through advocacy, research, support and information.
Guide Dogs Queensland For information to support people who are blind or have low vision experience the freedom and independence they deserve.
Hear and Say For information about state-of-the-art hearing technology (digital hearing aids and implantable technology such as cochlear implants) with the Auditory-Verbal Therapy approach.
National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Information for families about advocacy and referral options for families supporting children/adolescents and adults who have or are suspected of having FASD.
Next Sense Information for families about therapy, education, cochlear implants and diagnostic services for people with hearing loss or vision impairment.
Raising Children Network—Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) For information in relation to ADHD including types, symptoms and diagnosing ADHD, ADHD and teenagers and everyday life for children with ADHD.
SPELD Information about support services for people experiencing learning differences.
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Queensland (SBH) Information about therapy and other services for adults and children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their families in Queensland.
Synapse Information about improving the quality of life for people living with, or affected by, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), or with behaviours that challenge community understanding.
Vision Australia For information about blindness and low vision services in Australia.

The current service delivery by these organisations may be impacted by COVID-19. Please check their website for up-to-date information about services and programs available.

If your child is receiving support through the NDIS, please contact your NDIS provider. NDIS participants, their carers and providers are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest information through the NDIA website, and via Facebook and Twitter.

For questions or concerns regarding your child’s educational program, please continue to work with and seek support from your child’s classroom teacher and school team.​

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Last updated 16 February 2023