Community of Practice
Aspect is hosting the next Community of Practice (CoP) event on 24th September, 2026.
About Community of Practice (CoP)
The Aspect Community of Practice brings people together across sectors to learn with and from each other in order to strengthen inclusive education for Autistic learners. It is a collaborative space grounded in evidence, lived experience and shared problem-solving, supporting meaningful connection, professional learning and collective impact.
The Community of Practice continues to grow as a forum for educators, leaders, researchers, people with lived experience and community partners to explore challenges, share expertise and develop practical approaches that can be applied across diverse contexts.
Event details
- Date: Thursday 24 September 2026
- Time: 8:45 am – 3:30 pm
- Location: NSW Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney
- Theme: Beyond Foundations - Strengthening Specialist Classroom Practice in any classroom
- Cost: Free of charge
Who should attend
- School principals and leadership teams
- Classroom teachers, learning and support teachers and coordinators
- Education support staff
- Policy makers and system leaders
- Researchers and academics
- People with lived experience of autism and neurodiversity
- Parliamentary stakeholders
Event focus
Building on high-quality universal Tier 1 teaching, this Community of Practice explores practical, evidence-informed
Tier 2 (targeted group support) and Tier 3 (individualised support) approaches that mainstream and specialist educators can use to better support Autistic students.
Through practical examples from schools, research and practitioners, we'll examine how targeted interventions, progress monitoring and responsive teaching can improve participation, learning and outcomes.
Aspect Community of Practice is designed around shared learning, collaboration inquiry and discussion rather than traditional conference presentations.
Program includes
- Short presentations to build shared understanding
- Panel discussion and cross-sector collaboration
- Q & A with an expert in autism-specific education
- Networking opportunity
Meet the speakers
Thank you to everyone who submitted an expression of interest to contribute to our Community of Practice events. You can learn more about a few of our speakers below.
Dr Joanna Anderson
Associate Professor of Education a- Adelaide University
Joanna is an internationally recognised researcher and author in inclusive education and educational leadership. Importantly, her work is grounded in more than 20 years’ experience as a classroom teacher and school leader across primary and secondary schools in Australia and New Zealand. At the Community of Practice, Joanna will present on the topic: Supporting Autistic Learners in Mainstream Classrooms – A micro-credential to upskill teachers and school leaders. Her session will explore an initiative designed to build the knowledge and capability of teachers and school leaders to better support Autistic learners in mainstream settings. Developed in partnership with Aspect and Adelaide University this initiative brings together research, professional learning and practical application.
Carolyn Blanden
Principal Warakirri College
Carolyn is an experienced school principal and recognised leader in Australia’s Special Assistance Schools sector, with more than 20 years’ experience across diverse independent school settings. She is passionate about creating future-focused, inclusive and supportive learning environments where young people can thrive.A Menzies Foundation School Leader Fellow and Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leadership, Carolyn brings extensive educational leadership experience and national and international perspectives on how education can better respond to the needs of today’s students. At the Community of Practice, Carolyn will present on the topic: Success happens when the environment changes. Exploring how changing the learning environment, rather than expecting the student to adapt, can create the conditions for greater participation, inclusion and success.
Adelaide Steggall
Teacher - Aspect Hunter School
Adelaide Steggall has been a teacher at Aspect for a decade and is deeply committed to empowering Autistic students and creating learning environments where they feel safe, understood and ready to engage. Adelaide holds a Master’s degree in Behaviour Support and integrates evidence-based practice into her everyday teaching. She has a particular interest in using technology and Boardmaker to make learning more accessible and interactive. Over the past four years, she has implemented third teacher supports to enhance work systems in the infant grades. Adelaide will be co-presenting with her colleague Elise Gardiner, Leader of Learning and Wellbeing at Aspect Hunter School.
