The Specialised Autism Learning Program (SALP) at Hammond Park Secondary College (HPSC) supports students in Years 7-10 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by providing neurodiversity-affirming, individualised support to enhance learning, engagement, academic achievement, and adaptive skill development. The program is designed for autistic students at risk of negative outcomes, such as school disengagement, underachievement, or challenges with daily life skills.

At its core, the HPSC SALP addresses barriers to learning by offering high-level support through Individualised Documented Plans (IDPs), which are developed collaboratively with students and parents. These plans focus on students’ strengths, interests, and goals, encouraging self-advocacy and fostering key skills such as organisation, social cognition, positive peer relationships, and emotional self-regulation.

The program promotes academic growth and social-emotional development, tailored to each student’s developmental trajectory. It helps students become successful, independent learners capable of operating at or near year-level academic standards.

The SALP, is a Department of Education (DOE) specialist program supported by the School of Special Educational Needs: Disability (SSEND).

Secondary SALP programs are established for 15-18 students.

Students ‘eligible’ & ‘suitable’ for enrolment in the HPSC SALPmust:

• Be entitled to enrolment in Western Australian public school in accordance with general enrolment requirements.
• Must have a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without an accompanying intellectual disability and be eligible for a Department of Education Individual Disability Allocation under the ASD category.
• With support, be anticipated to work at or near year-level academic standards (including students on ATAR/WACE/VET Pathways).
• Be able to independently self-manage personal care.
• Be experiencing barriers related to their ASD diagnosis, such as challenges posed by social and communication differences, sensory preferences, limited capacity to engage in areas outside their focused interests, difficulties with changes or unpredictability, and challenges with emotional regulation.

Please note:

• ‘Suitable’ SALP students are exempt from local intake zones. Students accessing the program may already be enrolled at the school, however, students enrolling outside of general enrolment protocols will be considered as eligible to enrol once SALP suitability criteria have been confirmed and a place is offered.
• Bus services are not provided to the SALP program, and transport is expected to be facilitated by families.

 Click here for the ‘ASD Individual Disability (IDA) Eligibility Criteria 2024’ document that provides additional information on dot point 2 above.

The program may only be suitable for some ‘eligible’ students, with placements prioritised for those whose needs can be best supported through the HPSC SALP.

A vital feature of the SALP is the ‘SALP Hub’, an accessible, comfortable, supportive and safe place for students to access structured and unstructured learning opportunities during class and break times.

Students will attend mainstream classes and, when required, have access to the SALP Hub. Each student's time in the SALP Hub will vary according to individual needs.

Each student works towards achieving their goals in a caring and supportive environment that acknowledges their unique learning profile.

Click here for the ‘HPSC SALP Curriculum Overview – OVERARCHING 2025’ which provides additional details on the SALP Curriculum Focus Areas.

The HPSC SALP Program Coordinator will coordinate the annual review of each student's suitability and placement in the program. A student will transition out of the program into mainstream schooling once they have demonstrated they have achieved the SALP exit criteria.

The HPSC SALP is managed by a team of dedicated professionals led by the HPSC Principal, Joanne Willesee, and the Specialised Learning Program Coordinator, Janelle Cahoon.

The program is supported by two specialised SALP teachers, Donna Smyth and Caitlin Alford, and an experienced team of Education Assistants. Together, they promote learning for each student across HPSC.

Enrolments in the SALP is reviewed annually, ensuring that it remains aligned with the evolving needs of each student. Extensions may be granted based on individual needs, with decisions made by HPSC in consultation with the student, their parents/guardians, and other key stakeholders where appropriate.

While there is no set deadline for program exit, SALP is not intended as a long-term placement.

The 2024 HPSC SALP Expression of Interest (EOI) period, for commencement at the start of 2025, is now closed for applications.

Applications for enrolment into the SALP is managed by HPSC.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) open in Term 1 each year for positions starting the following year. To be considered in the current EOI round, submissions must be received by the specified closing date.

Suitability for eligible students is determined through a comprehensive assessment process, which includes student observations, input from the student and their parent/carer, and communication with the student’s current school and other relevant stakeholders. The program coordinator carefully reviews and analyses previous school records, such as school reports, NAPLAN results, attendance data, and Individual Documented Plans. Sometimes, the student may be invited to visit HPSC to meet with staff and potentially complete diagnostic literacy and numeracy testing.

To register your interest in receiving an email notification from the HPSC Program Coordinator about the next EOI period, please email HammondPark.SC.ASD@education.wa.edu.au

Once the 2025 HPSC SALP EOI period opens, the 'HPSC Expression of Interest (EOI) Application Form' and the 'HPSC EOI Timeline 2025' will be available here. 

Parents/carers that have a child enrolled in the Jilbup Primary School SLP-A will have the option of continuing in the program through to secondary schooling, as HPSC is the partnering SALP secondary school.

Click here to download the HPSC SALP Overview 

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents 

Supporting Autistic Students 

The SALP at HPSC features the 'SALP Hub,' a safe, supportive space where students can engage in structured and unstructured learning during class and break times. While students primarily attend mainstream classes, they can access the SALP Hub as needed, with the frequency tailored to their individual needs.

The SALP is not a separate school or unit but an integrated, autism-specific program within the HPSC public school, providing tailored support alongside access to mainstream education classrooms. The SALP Hub is staffed by a Program Coordinator, SALP Teachers, and Education Assistants who work within the Hub and school-wide to assist staff in supporting autistic students in mainstream classrooms. The team collaborates with HPSC staff to implement consistent strategies and accommodations, offering support to students across all learning environments.

SALP students typically receive around five periods (five hours) of scheduled SALP lesson time each week, during which SALP Teachers deliver a comprehensive learning program.