Funding

This project is funded by the Ministry of Education, Special Education (GSE). In the Education section of the government's Budget 2004, funding was made available for a suite of research, evaluation, and professional learning and development programmes aimed at improving the quality of education and support for children and young people with ASD. These programmes are not about direct provision of special education services. The Development Projects form part of the ASD work programme funded through Budget 2004. For more information about the ASD work programme visit the Ministry of Education's website.

National ASD Project Team

The national ASD project team coordinates the ASD work programme. The team members are: Joanna Curzon (Team Leader – Research, Professional Practice), Shelley O'Sullivan (Senior Advisor, ASD Projects). Shelley leads the work on the Development Project.

Professional Advisory Group

This group has been set up specifically for the Development Project. The members were selected to ensure a breadth of perspectives. The group has three main purposes

1. Ongoing monitoring of the project – ensuring it stays true to its principles
2. Contribute to evaluation design – ensuring a sound methodology
3. Contribute to the evaluation questions and processes.

The Professional Advisory Group will ensure:

• There is a fit with current effective early intervention process and philosophy
• There is effective support to staff in the development of their skills
• There are culturally appropriate practices and collection of information