Sydney, Tuesday 17 June 2025: In a collaboration to help strengthen, support and deliver professional development opportunities for NSW early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals, Autism Awareness Australia (AAA) and the ECEC Professional Learning program have launched a short online, fee-free microskill course designed to give NSW early childhood professionals the tools they need to better support autistic children in their service.

The microskill, Autism Awareness for Early Childhood Professionals, which can be completed in as little as two hours, is delivered as part of the Early Childhood Education and Care Professional Learning Program, a partnership between the NSW Department of Education and TAFE NSW. Through the program ECEC professionals will have the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge, uplift their skills and grow their careers with access to fee-free*, targeted online professional learning and leadership development programs.

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AAA CEO, Nicole Rogerson said, “the short, online course delivers high-impact, digestible learning designed to lift the quality of inclusive practice across the sector, reduce burnout, and help tackle Australia’s deepening skills shortage in ECEC.”

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“This isn’t just another box-ticking training module,” Ms Rogerson said.

“Autism Awareness for Early Childhood Professionals challenges autism myths, builds confidence, and gets to the heart of what inclusive education looks like for our youngest learners.

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“When educators can respond with empathy and understanding, they change lives, and they’re far less likely to burn out while doing it.”

The course includes five concise, interactive modules, and equips ECEC professionals to:

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●     Recognise early signs of autism in babies, toddlers and preschoolers

●     Understand how autism can present differently in boys and girls

●     Dispel common myths that continue to harm practice and children alike

●     Learn practical strategies to support children’s sensory, emotional and communication needs, and

●     Access downloadable resources to support inclusive programming.

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Ms Rogerson said the need for this kind of professional development has never been more urgent.

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“Recognising the early signs of autism isn’t just helpful, its life changing,” she said. “Children identified before the age of six are far more likely to access early intervention, leading to significantly improved developmental outcomes. This is backed by national data and best-practice guidelines, including the ABS and Australia’s National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

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“ECEC Professionals are often the first outside the family to notice signs of autism. Their role is vital. We’re proud to help deliver meaningful, evidence-based training that not only empowers ECEC professionals, but ultimately improves outcomes for autistic children and their families.”  

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The multi-year ECEC Professional Learning Program was launched late last year. More than 1,600 NSW early childhood professionals are now registered and able to access a range of professional learning opportunities designed to meet their needs, strengthen their knowledge and uplift their skills to support high quality education.

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The course was co-developed by Autism Awareness Australia’s subject matter experts and TAFE NSW teachers, with input from early childhood leaders and families of autistic children.

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ECEC Professionals in NSW are invited to register now to enrol.

^* Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions may apply and will be advised.

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