Giant Steps Melbourne (GSM) students and participants have complex and varying needs. Through our Enhanced Learning Environments project, we hope to install more Smart Boards in the classrooms to encourage more involvement and participation in lessons. Autistic people, especially those on the profound end of the spectrum like our cohort, can have difficulty leaning in ...
Giant Steps Melbourne
Enhanced Learning Environments for Autistic Students

GOAL
$10,000
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- Social inclusion and justice
Target Population
- People with a disability, illness or disease
- Young people (6-25)

Giant Steps Melbourne is a Kew-based charity that operates a school, an adult services program, and an on-site mental health clinic for profoundly autistic individuals aged 5-25. Giant Steps seeks to develop intensive therapeutic and educational programs to ensure that each child and young adult has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Giant Steps also seeks to provide support to families, to improve understanding of autism in the wider community and to develop best practice among carers and professionals. Our vision is to continue to be recognised as a centre of excellence for the creation, implementation and dissemination of innovative and effective programs and services for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Project Summary
Giant Steps Melbourne (GSM) students and participants have complex and varying needs. Through our Enhanced Learning Environments project, we hope to install more Smart Boards in the classrooms to encourage more involvement and participation in lessons.
Autistic people, especially those on the profound end of the spectrum like our cohort, can have difficulty leaning in environments catered towards neurotypical learners. Varying abilities and methods of communication, different sensory processing needs, levels of intellectual disability, and difficulties with social interaction. GSM seeks to provide students and participants with autism-friendly learning environments that cater to the complex needs of neurodiverse learners.
Installing SMART Boards in our classrooms, and training staff on how to effectively use them, will create a more versatile learning experience, that is more adaptable to each student and participant’s needs. Proper implementation of SMART Boards will increase engagement, communication, motor skills, confidence, and well-being.
Project Outcomes
Expected outcomes for students and participants include:
- Increased engagement
- Enhanced levels of communication, both in and out of the classroom
- Increased community access and participation
- Improved academic outcomes
- Enhanced use of technology within the classroom
- Improved general well-being
- Development of fine motor skills
Expected outcomes for staff include:
- Enhanced delivery of interactive lessons
- Increased professional competence
- Improved classroom management
- Stronger resource sharing and lesson collaboration
Expected outcomes for families include:
- Stronger communication
- Increased engagement in activities of daily living
- Improved confidence in the community
- Higher community engagement
These outcomes can be measured by:
- Student engagement data
- Student behavioural data
- Student learning outcomes
- Staff performance reviews
- Anecdotal evidence from staff, families, and members of the wider community
It is our intention to educate and support in a way that translates across varying contexts, not just within our programs. The comprehensive learning approach taken by Giant Steps Melbourne enriches the students’ experiences, as well as supporting the community to create a more inclusive and adaptive environment.
We also share our knowledge and expertise wherever possible, supporting mainstream schools and support workers.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $13,000
FUNDING
Funding source | Amount |
---|---|
Giant Steps Melbourne (confirmed) | $3,000 |
Funding gap (unconfirmed) | $10,000 |
EXPENSES
Expense item | Amount |
---|---|
SMART Board | $7,000 |
SMART Board installation | $2,000 |
Staff training | $4,000 |
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