Your child's individual learning plan

When considering the support needs of your child, educational programs should reflect the key learning areas (KLAs) as well as areas that support access to the KLAs, such as communication.

Key learning areas

All states have statutory bodies which regulate key learning areas (KLAs). In NSW, there are six primary school and eight secondary school key learning areas, such as English, Mathematics and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE). Programming within each key learning area (KLA) should take into account your child’s individual needs. A learning support plan should be consistent with the KLA syllabuses and support documents.

It is important that accommodations and adjustments are put in place which meet your child’s identified needs and are:

• appropriate to your child’s age
• developed across home, school and community settings
• planned to consider both present and future needs of your child, and
• address the needs of your child at each transition point
  

If your child is a secondary-age student, you and your child should consider the current requirements for credentialing either through meeting the study requirements (with support through special provisions, as appropriate), or through a special program of study.

Implementing a learning support plan can be achieved in a variety of ways including:

• modifying and adapting class programs, equipment, resources and technology
• modifying strategies for teaching your child
• adapting classroom arrangements including seating arrangements
• using peer tutoring and individualised teaching
• using additional personnel such as itinerant teachers, teachers’ aides
• assisting you to support learning in the home.
  

Accessing the key learning areas

To support access to the key learning areas, your child’s support needs in communication and social skills may also need to be addressed.

Communication
Communication can involve facial expression and body language, as well as spoken, sign and written language.

The level of support may vary and include:

• development of an individualised learning program
• access to sign interpreting/notetaking
• provision of technology, eg. FM systems, captioned television.
  

Social skills
Social skills are important to help your child work and play with others. The development of social skills begins early in childhood and continues to adulthood. Some of the important skills include: facial expressions, social distance, greeting others, eye contact and making conversation. In order to develop social skills a consistent approach needs to be used both at home and at school.

The level of support may vary and include:

• assistance to develop social skills program with support if necessary
• the development of an individualised learning program
• monitoring or supervision of special programs.
  
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Related articles

• Your child's learning support team
• Evaluating your child’s support needs
• Supporting your child's learning

Information supplied by:
NSW Department of Education and Training Disability Programs

Extract from "Who's Going to Teach my Child - A guide for parents of children with special learning needs."
NSW Department of Education and Training, 1999.

Reproduced with permission.
Page reviewed: 14.5.2009