Working together on more opportunities with Aspect

Victoria University and Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia)  are boosting the disability services workforce, improving the lives of Autistic adults and removing barriers to education success for neurodiverse students.

Celebrating three years as partners, the two organisations have extended the Memorandum of Understanding until 2028, allowing the expansion of existing programs and the introduction of new projects and research.

The following highlights the projects and accomplishments over the past three years.

Aspect Adult Community Services Centre at VU St Albans Campus 

In June 2023, Aspect opened its  first on-campus Community Service Centre, at VU St Albans Campus.

One of four Aspect Adult Community Services Centres in Melbourne, Autistic adults take part in a range of activities tailored to their individual goals. Each activity is designed to support health and wellbeing while building independent living skills.

A welcoming community hub, participants see friendly, familiar faces and take part in a range of NDIS-funded activities on campus, including gardening, newsletter writing, yoga, fitness, meal prep and art therapy.

David Yong is learning use public transport, practices everyday routines and accesses community spaces like the gym. He’s working on life skills that help him to become more independent, such as preparing simple meals, organising his belongings and managing transitions with the help of visual routines and structure. 

As well as building skills and improving wellbeing for participants, the centre is valued by local families, who have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are in a safe, supportive environment – and are making new connections in their local community.

Local parent Antoinetta Muliett, said that her daughter Bernie “loves being a part of the Aspect St Albans team." Antoinetta said that through interacting directly with staff on campus, Bernie has become more confident and has been able to explore a wide range of engagements that suit her sensory needs.

Boosting the disability services workforce in Melbourne’s west

Since partnering in 2022, 24 VU speech pathology, psychology, Certificate IV in Mental Health and Certificate III in Individual Support students have completed placements with Aspect. Four have gone on to work in graduate roles with Aspect.

Lauren Siomos, completed a Certificate III in Individual Support in 2024, and secured a student placement with Aspect Community Services, where she is now working.

“Victoria University really prepared me for working in the industry, and then the hands-on learning during my student placement took it to the next level.

“Aspect’s approach is so person-centred and the focus is all about progressing participant goals. We really get to develop relationships with the participants, which helps to support them further. I love the time I spend with the participants and seeing them grow and be a part of the community,” Lauren said.

Removing barriers to educational achievement for neurodivergent students 

The Victoria University Accessibility Services team have opened four quiet rooms on campus: places where neurodivergent students can retreat when overwhelmed by sensory input.

VU Accessibility Support Officer Maria Vardakis has led this initiative, and other collaborative opportunities that aim to remove barriers to educational achievement for Autistic students.

Maria shared insight into her work and advice on how to make universities inclusive for Autistic learners: 5 things Autistic students want you to know and organised a neurodiversity training session with students and staff, facilitated by Aspect, with another planned at the end of the year. 

Looking ahead

VU and Aspect are extending our collaboration in two new areas:

• Improving neurodivergent patients’ experiences in health and emergency settings: As part of the extended partnership, VU’s College of Sport, Health and Engineering is working closely with Aspect on a range of programs that aim to improve patient experiences in health and emergency settings.
• Research collaboration – Building a national network for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) practitioners: Dr Vicki Gibbs (Head of Research, Aspect) and Professor Debra Smith (Victoria University) and their research team have received a grant from the Department of Home Affairs to develop and evaluate a nationwide Community of Practice. This initiative will support professionals working with radicalised young people by sharing learnings, strengthening skills and fostering a deeper understanding of autism among those in the CVE field.

Read more about the partnership