How I Build an Autism Class Timetable | Practical Post-Primary Guide

Autism Class Timetabling: A Practical Guide

Trying to build an Autism Class timetable and not sure where to start?

This practical guide takes you through how I approach timetabling across two post-primary Autism Classes, from the individual student timetable right through to teacher allocation and SNA deployment.

Rather than starting with a master timetable, I start with the individual student. I look at each student's needs, strengths, interests, previous school experience and capacity, and use these to plan an appropriate balance between mainstream classes and Autism Class provision.

The guide includes practical guidance on:

- Building individual student timetables

- Planning First Year transition and mainstream access

- Balancing mainstream and Autism Class provision

- L1LP/L2LP, Junior Cycle, TY and LCA considerations

- Reviewing timetables as students' needs and capacity change

- Grouping students meaningfully within the Autism Class

- Using teacher allocation and subject expertise effectively

- Using team teaching effectively

- Coordinating provision across two Autism Classes

- Building an SNA timetable around identified student needs

- Planning for breaks, lunchtimes and regulation

- Carrying out a final student-by-student timetable check

There is no single Autism Class timetable that will work for every student. This guide is designed to show the thinking process I use to create individualised provision while working within the staffing, teaching hours and resources available in a post-primary school.

Please note: This is a practical guide based on my own experience and approach to Autism Class coordination. It is not Department of Education policy and is not intended as a prescriptive model for schools.