New resource to help Autistic students thrive at school

Understanding school can’t

For some Autistic students, school can feel overwhelming. When that stress builds up, getting to school can become really hard and sometimes impossible. We call this ‘school can’t’.

A strengths-based resource for parents, carers and teachers

School can’t is tough for students, families and teachers alike. To help, Amaze has developed the My School Experiences toolkit. Co-designed with Autistic students, parents and carers, and funded by the Victorian Department of Education, this resource helps families understand what makes school hard, and what helps it feel better.

It’s not just about identifying stressors, like noise or uncertainty. The toolkit also explores strengths, interests and what children love about school, so parents and teachers can build on those positives to make school feel safer and more engaging.

The toolkit includes:

• guided activities and prompts to explore what’s hard and what helps
• space to capture strengths and interests
• sensory-needs checklists and communication tips
• planning templates for next steps with schools.

Download and share

Parents, carers and educators can download the My School Experiences toolkit to start a strengths-based conversation about school can’t.

It’s available as a printable PDF or an online fillable form, it’s flexible and accessible for home or classroom use.

For more school can’t information and resources, visit our website.