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Special education and disability

A range of support services are available for children with disabilities and additional learning needs. Children may be:

  • included in regular classrooms with consultative support
  • included in regular classrooms with additional support
  • included in regular classrooms with withdrawal support
  • enrolled in a special educational facility.

Students with special needs have the right to access an inclusive curriculum that is broad, balanced and relevant and meets individual needs. All schools in the Northern Territory make this provision and parents or caregivers are able to select either a mainstream school or special placement for their child.

DET Special Education Settings

DET has a range of settings to support Students with Disabilities. These settings include Special Schools, Special Centres and Special Programs.

Enrolment of students with disabilities in special schools and special centres policy
Approved Specialised Settings (pdf 28 kb)
Terminology for Special Education Settings (pdf 26 kb)

DET philosophy of inclusion for students with a disability

As a department, DET values professionalism, respect, innovation, diversity and excellence. Through quality strategies, programs, people, partnerships and systems, the Department of Education and Training will grow educated, skilled and smart Territorians.

We believe that inclusivity embraces the idea that everyone is an individual and their diversity is respected. Inclusion starts from a recognition of the differences between students and builds on such differences to minimise barriers in education for all students.

DET philosophy of inclusion (pdf 44 kb)

The Department of Education and Training provides support services, specialised equipment and resources and professional development activities for school staff. Processes for accessing specific programs and assessments are outlined in a package called Special Education Support Services Information Package, which is available in all schools.

Non-government centres that provide services for children with disabilities are eligible to apply for a grant to support the programs they provide. The purpose of these grants is to improve the educational opportunities, learning outcomes and personal development of children with disabilities.

Special Education online training

The Special Education online courses - Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders and Understanding and Managing Behaviour (pdf 1.4 kb) are available to all teachers and support staff across the Northern Territory. They are free and accessible 24/7 online. Participants will be part of a small group (10-12) supported by an online tutor who can track the progress of course members, assist course members, facilitate forums and discussions groups. The course is a minimum of 20 hours to complete. These hours contribute to the PD hours teachers need for the Teacher Registration. Participants are able to work at own pace and can access via the web anywhere. A certificate of completion is issued upon completion and accreditation will be investigated. Refer to the Frequently asked questions (pdf 93 kb | word 46 kb) or email SpecEdProject.DET@nt.gov.au for more details.

To register for a course please complete and submit the online registration form.

Special Education forums

Each year, the department facilitates a series of Special Education forums across all regions of the Northern Territory during Week 8 and 9 of Term 2. The forums aim to support Special Education teachers, classroom teachers and para professionals-support staff (SESA SESO) to improve educational outcomes for students with special or additional learning needs, through a range of teaching strategies.

Who should attend?
Classroom teachers, Special Education teachers and Special Education support staff.  Please note that if you are unable to attend during the first day, there will be a poster presentation and access to specialists at the end of the day.

Cost
Attendance is free.  Please note there is no relief teacher or remibursement for travel costs for DET employees.

Catering
Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Please email specedproject.det@nt.gov.au for more information.

Past forums

Useful links

  • Livewire.org.au - free, safe and fun online communities for families affected by a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability
  • Scoliosis Australia - useful information for patients with scoliosis and their parents

Contacts

For more information, please contact Student Services.