Starting or participating in preschool or primary school can be challenging for some children, especially when they need additional support with communication, learning, social interaction, behaviour, emotional regulation or transitions. School shadow support gives children individualised help within the school environment, so they can build the skills and confidence to take part more independently in everyday school life.
Our School-Based Support Program works alongside children, families and schools to make school a more positive and manageable experience.
What is school shadow support?
School shadow support involves a trained support professional working alongside a child during their school day. The aim is to help the child engage with learning, connect with peers and participate in classroom and school routines, while encouraging independence wherever possible.
Support is tailored to each child’s strengths, needs and goals. It is not about doing things for the child. It is about helping them learn how to do things themselves.
5 ways school shadow support can help your child
- Understanding instructions. Breaking down directions, using visuals or repeating information so the child can follow classroom tasks.
- Managing transitions. Preparing for changes between activities, classrooms, recess and home time, which are often the hardest parts of the day.
- Developing communication and social skills. Encouraging the child to ask for help, join in play and build friendships with peers.
- Regulating emotions. Recognising early signs of overwhelm and using calming strategies before a difficult moment escalates.
- Responding to changes in routine. Practising flexibility so unexpected events, such as a substitute teacher or a change of schedule, feel less stressful.
Who can benefit from school shadow support?
Children in preschool or primary school may benefit if they find it hard to follow routines, communicate their needs, interact with peers or manage big feelings in a busy environment. This may include children who are autistic, have developmental delay, ADHD or anxiety, or who simply need extra help settling into a new school setting.
Starting early often makes the transition smoother, which is why early intervention matters. Our school readiness and educational therapy program can also prepare children before they begin.
Every child is different, so support starts with understanding the individual. For general, evidence-informed guidance on supporting children at school, the Raising Children Network is a helpful Australian resource.
Working together with schools and families
Effective support is built through collaboration. We work with families, teachers and other professionals to understand the child’s needs and create practical strategies that can be used consistently across the school environment.
Regular communication helps everyone stay on the same page. Families share what works at home, teachers share what they see in the classroom, and the support professional helps connect the two so the child experiences the same approach throughout the day.
Strategies that work at school can be reinforced through our home based intervention program. A shared approach to behaviour support, such as the ABC paradigm, helps families and teachers respond to challenging behaviours in the same way.
Building independence over time
Our approach is flexible and focused on building confidence over time. As children develop new skills and become more comfortable participating, school shadow support can be adjusted to promote greater independence. The goal is for the child to need less hands-on help as their skills grow, not to create reliance on an adult.
For skills families can practise at home, see our guide to 7 essential skills for autistic children to build independence.
Questions to ask when choosing school shadow support
Whichever provider you choose, it helps to ask:
- How will the support professional work with my child’s teacher?
- How do you plan to reduce support as my child grows in confidence?
- How will progress be reviewed and shared with our family?
- What training and experience does your team have?
If you are exploring funding options, the NDIS website explains how supports are accessed and what may be available.
Helping children thrive at school
Every child deserves the opportunity to feel included, understood and supported at school. School shadow support can help remove barriers to participation and create positive opportunities for children to learn, connect and thrive.
If your child is autistic, we also encourage you to be proud of your autistic child exactly as they are.
Ready to find out more? Learn more about our school shadow support service or get in touch to talk about your child’s needs.
