Tuesday, 28 November 2023

 Emma VULIN (Pakenham) (14:42): (441) My question is for the Minister for Education. What difference is the Victorian Autism Education Strategy making for the students and families in my electorate of Pakenham? I have spoken with autistic students and their parents and carers about how our education system supports autistic students and indeed all the neurodivergence in the school environment. Data shows that around one in 70 Australians are autistic, making it likely that, potentially, in my electorate there is one in every classroom. For many years our education system was one size fits all, but change is happening. Students learn in so many ways, and teaching practice is now evolving to embrace this. Our government has a nation-first autism education strategy, and I would appreciate understanding the difference it is making for my community.