AQ School Expands Trailblazing Distance Education Program to Year 10

Autism Queensland (AQ) School is breaking new ground in autism-specific education in Queensland, announcing the expansion of its pioneering Distance Education program through to Year 10 from 2026.

Now entering its third year, AQ School’s Distance Education program has already achieved strong outcomes and drawn enthusiastic feedback from families.  

Driven by a commitment to listening and responding to the needs of parents, AQ is delivering unprecedented access to quality, autism-specific learning. This is particularly significant for families in regional and remote communities across Queensland, where specialist options remain scarce. 

“We know there isn’t one ‘best’ classroom for every autistic student. Parents want the right support for their child, at the right time, in the right place,” said AQ School Principal Cathy Drummond. “Our role is to grow capability and offer real choice about where a child learns.” 

The only initiative of its kind in the state, the program is available to students who meet Student With Disability (SWD) eligibility criteria and are unable to attend one of AQ School’s six campuses, located in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns.

AQ is now seeking expressions of interest from families whose children will enter Years 3–10 in 2026 and beyond. 

Through daily interactive sessions with teachers and an interdisciplinary team, students access a high-quality curriculum, personalised instruction and a wealth of learning resources—all delivered online. The approach is built around daily communication and dynamic, flexible teaching methods tailored to each student’s stage and needs. 

Small multi-age classes, typically with six to eight students, are supported by class teachers, teacher aides and an interdisciplinary team, providing therapy, wellbeing support, curriculum access and behavioural guidance. Groupings are carefully considered to ensure optimal learning environments, based on age, curriculum level, and individual adjustments. 

Recent research led by Dr Jill Ashburner, AQ Research and Development Manager, underscores the importance of flexible educational pathways.

The findings reveal that as children age, parents increasingly value choice and capability over location, with over half of those surveyed seeking an alternative to mainstream education —a clear mandate for more adaptable educational offerings. AQ School’s Distance Education program delivers exactly that: a flexible, tailored solution empowering families to choose the right environment for their child’s unique journey.